With the growing need for degrees, particularly bachelor’s degrees, to be competitive in the workforce, more and more people are wondering how long it takes to complete a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree offered at colleges and universities. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree complete general education courses and colleges courses related to the major in which they’ve chosen to pursue. A typical bachelor’s degree taken in a brick-and-mortar college
takes four years to complete. What the Bachelor’s Degree EntailsAlso known as an undergraduate degree, the bachelor’s degree is a four-year degree that usually takes about 120 semester hours to complete depending on the college’s requirements and semester/quarter format. This is provided the college uses the semester system. If the college uses a quarter system, students are required to complete 180-quarter credits. Bachelor’s degrees are also referred to as baccalaureate degrees. The highest number of bachelor’s degrees in the United States are awarded at regionally accredited liberal arts colleges. Of the credits required to complete a bachelor’s degree, more than 50 percent of them are liberal arts or general education courses. Surprisingly, only about 30 to 36 credits are actually in the student’s major area of study. Many graduate degree programs will not allow a student to enroll until they’ve first completed a bachelor’s degree. On-Campus vs OnlineThe increasing need for workers to have bachelor’s degrees has increased the number of schools offering online bachelor’s degrees. When online programs were first created, they weren’t always looked upon with the same regard and respect as degrees earned in an actual college, but that is no longer the case with more and more colleges now offering online programs. The choice between an online or on-campus program is a matter of personal choice. Often, the same instructors teaching on campus teach the online courses. The main difference is that online students are not required to attend classes daily but can do them at their convenience. Whereas a campus-based bachelor’s degree is usually completed in four years, online bachelor’s degrees may take less time or more time. Types of Bachelor’s DegreesBachelor’s degrees may be one of three types.
Top Bachelor’s Degrees Most Chosen For Full-Time WorkChoosing a major seems easy enough. Students often just choose an area of study that interests them. However, this often results in a degree in a field that’s not very marketable in the job market. Students must choose a major that they enjoy and one that can lead to a career. Here are the top ten bachelor’s degrees chosen for full-time careers as reported by the U.S. News & World Report:
Featured ProgramsRelated Resource: 25 Most Affordable Online Master’s of Business Administration Degrees With the possibilities of earning an associate, bachelor’s master’s or doctoral degree, the majority of the students today are choosing a bachelor’s degree. While it may take four years to complete a bachelor’s degree, this time is well spent, and this degree prepares students to join the workforce immediately or advance their education. Other Rankings of Interest:
40 Best Affordable One-Year Accelerated Master’s Degree Programs 50 Most Affordable Colleges with the Best Return 25 Best Affordable Online Mathematics/ Statistics Education Degree Programs (Master’s) 25 Most Affordable Master’s of Statistics Degrees 20 Best Affordable Online Colleges for Computer Networking Degree 10 Most Affordable Law Schools in the United States 15 Best Affordable Animation Degree Programs (Bachelor’s) 40 Best Affordable Pre-Med Degree Programs (Bachelor’s) 15 Best Affordable Film Studies Degree Programs (Bachelor’s) How fast can you get Bs?How Quickly Can I Get a Bachelor's Degree? Generally speaking, you'll need at least two years to complete a bachelor's degree. Accelerated degree programs can shave a year off the usual completion time. They can be finished in three years instead of four.
How fast can I get a degree?An accelerated, online bachelor's program is usually the quickest way to earn a bachelor's degree. Students in these programs can take more credits at once, leading to early graduation — sometimes in 1-2 years. However, most bachelor's programs take about four years, and part-time online programs can take much longer.
Is it harder to get a BA or BS?Generally, a BS degree requires more credits than a BA degree because a BS degree is more focused in the specific major. Students are required to focus on studying their major at a more in-depth level. Students have fewer chances to take classes outside of their major.
Is a BS a good degree?Earning your bachelor's degree also increases the likelihood that you will be considered by future employers for career advancement opportunities. An undergraduate degree is also an obvious prerequisite for earning a master's degree or PhD, if you aspire to pursue a graduate education in the future.
|