She received an 'honorary degree'. [=a degree given by a college or university to someone who is not a student but who has done something important]
He was accused of murder in the first 'degree'. = He was accused of first-'degree' murder. [=the most serious kind of murder]
a four-year 'degree' [=a degree that is given to someone who has completed four years of study]
(..) We might have company. - Company? - Yeah, company. - Hey, now, why do you work for the state? - Why not? You do. No, what you do. The degrees and all, everything you got. You're hot shit. Yeah? So why do you make as much as a guidance counselor? Because I believe in public service. (..)2006 The Departed