Blue Lodge (Craft Lodge or Symbolic Lodge)
This is starting point for all men who wish to become Masons. The Blue (Craft or Symbolic) Lodge confers the following degrees:

1. Entered Apprentice

2. Fellow Craft

3. Master Mason

The 3rd Degree, that of the Master Mason, is the "highest" degree the can be given in all of Freemasonry.

Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite - Northern

After the Blue Lodge, a Master Mason may receive further teachings through the Scottish Rite. The Scottish Rite can confer an additional 30 degrees to the Master Mason. They are divided as follows in the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States. The Southern Jurisdiction is organized differently and has a few different names for some of these degrees. 

	Lodge of Perfection 4° - 14°	Degrees 4° - Master Traveler 5° - Perfect Master 6° - Intimate Secretary 7° - Provost and Judge 8° - Intendant of the Building 9° - Master Elect of the Nine - North 10° - Master Elect  - North 11° - Sublime Master Elected - North 12° - Grand Master Architect 13° - Master of the Ninth Arch 14° - Grand Elect Mason
	Council, Princes of Jerusalem 15° - 16°	Degrees 15° - Knight of the East or Sword 16° - Prince of Jerusalem
	Chapter of Rose Croix 17° - 18°	Degrees 17° - Knight of the East and West 18° - Knight of the Rose Croix
	Consistory 19° - 32° 33° - Honorary Achievement	Degrees 19° - Grand Pontiff 20° - Master ad Vitam 21° - Patriarch Noachite 22° - Prince of Libanus 23° - Chief of the Tabernacle 24° - Prince of the Tabernacle 25° - Knight of the Brazen Serpent 26° - Friend and Brother Eternal 27° - Commander of the Temple 28° - Knight of the Sun 29° - Knight of St. Andrew 30° - Grand Inspector 31° - Knight Aspirant 32° - Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret 33° - Sovereign Grand Inspector General

An honorary 33rd° is conferred annually to certain 32nd° masons who have exemplified, in their daily lives, the true meaning of the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God. The recipient must be at least 33 years of age and may not apply for the degree.

Although the Scottish Rite degrees are numbered, it is not to imply that masons who have achieved these degrees are of "higher" rank. The highest degree in Freemasonry is the sublime degree of Master Mason or 3° which is given in the Blue Lodge.

What is Scottish Rite Freemasonry?

York Rite
The York Rite is another organization that can give provide additional Masonic teachings and confer additional degrees. The York Rite is  Christian in nature and is organized as follows:

	Chapter of Royal Arch Masons What is a Royal Arch Mason?	Degrees Mark Master Past Master  (Some Areas) Most Excellent Master Royal Arch
	Council of Royal & Select Masters (Cryptic) What is a Royal & Select Master?	Degrees Royal Master Select Master Super-Excellent Master
	Commandery of Knights Templar What is a Knights Templar Mason?	Degrees Order of the Red Cross Order of the Knights of Malta Order of the Knights Templar

Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine

As of July 2000, any Master Mason can now petition to join The Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, or A.A.O.N.M.S. The Shrine grew out of Freemasonry over a century ago and is meant to provide additional fellowship to its members through its various clubs and other functions. The Shrine also supports many hospitals for burned or crippled children and does not charge any fees for the medical care! Shriners consider the Shriners Hospitals for Children the "Greatest Philanthropy in the World". In 2004, it is projected that the Shriners Hospitals will spend more than $1,600,000 every day to help children.