What Is a Bachelors Degree?
Students can earn a bachelors degree by completing approximately 120 to 130 college credits, usually through four or five years of full-time study. The credit hours necessary to complete a bachelors degree can vary among universities, and credits often transfer between schools. Some students opt to attend part-time programs, and other prefer full-time options that generally allow them to complete the programs faster.
Bachelors degrees are awarded by a variety of colleges and universities, including private universities, public universities, liberal arts colleges, career colleges and online schools. These degrees can be completed through courses on a college campus or at an online school, or through a combination of classroom and online courses.
Most students obtain a bachelors degree by attending college or university full-time for four or five years. However, taking summer school classes, online classes or completing advanced placement classes in high school can shorten the time it takes to earn a bachelors degree.
A bachelors degree typically requires the completion of 120 to 130 academic credits. In some cases, up to 60 of these credits can be transferred by students who have completed associates degrees at community colleges or through online programs.
Transfer credits and advanced placement credits can be combined so that students complete the majority of their academic coursework at an accredited community college and then transfer to a university or online program.
How do you get a Bachelors Degree?
Acquiring a bachelors degree starts with identifying what you want to study. Start within thinking about the types of subjects you are interested in. Taking farming for example, there are many academic subjects that can lead to a degree in agriculture. These include: animal science, entomology, soil and plant sciences, forestry and horticulture. Researching each of the above areas would lead you to learning about the types of courses available and outcomes from completing a bachelors degree.
Once you have decided on a major, the next step is enrolling in the corresponding bachelor’s degree program.
How to Enroll in a Bachelors Degree
Enrolling in a bachelors degree programs starts with choosing a school, and understanding the specific requirements of that institution and its programs. The first step is applying for admission and taking any necessary entrance exams. For most bachelors degrees, the common entrance exams are the SAT or ACT exams.
Is a Bachelors Degree right for you?
Getting a bachelors degree from a campus-based or online school can teach you valuable skills and get you on the right track in your career. Here are some of the top reasons that students pursue bachelors degrees:
Landing that dream job.
- In some career fields, you are required to have a bachelors degree to be considered for many positions. Employers will include a bachelors degree in the requirements section of job listings, and you are expected to list your academic background on your resume.
- Bachelors degrees can also help your career prospects in other ways. You can use your degree to pursue higher-level positions.
Upping your earning potential.
- Investing in your future with a bachelors degree can make employers invest in you. Studies have shown that professionals with bachelors degrees tend to earn higher salaries than those without bachelors degrees.
Getting that next degree.
- Some careers require more advanced degrees than a bachelors degree, so if your long-term plans include attending graduate school to pursue your masters degree or doctorate degree, completing a bachelors degree is where you’ll need to start.
To get a well-rounded education.
- If you aren’t sure what career field is right for you, or if you have a good idea but want a broad curriculum, a four-year college is a good move. Although you choose a major, usually after your second year, you are generally required to take courses outside of your major to complete your bachelors degree.
What types of students pursue Bachelors Degrees?
People choose to complete a bachelors degree for a variety of reasons, so the types of students you’ll find in a bachelors degree program will vary by age and academic background. Some students enroll directly after completing high school or after taking a gap year to work, travel or study abroad. Other students may transfer to a bachelors degree program after completing an associates degree at a community college or online college. And you will also encounter professional adults who are beginning or completing their degree for career advancement opportunities or personal enrichment.
What college’s offer Bachelors Degrees?
Many different types of educational institutions offer bachelors degrees. For example, public four-year universities are the most common bachelors degree-granting institutions. But you will also find public two-year colleges, private non-profit four-year colleges and universities or private for profit schools who offer students a variety of bachelors degrees.
Should you pursue a Bachelors Degree at an Online School?
Choosing to enter an online degree program to complete your bachelors degree gives you more flexibility in planning your classes, as many online schools offer evening and weekend classes to accommodate students with work or family obligations. While you may have to pay to have access to a working computer with Internet access, you will save money on commuting costs and room and board if you take classes at home.
Also, if you’re attending an online school, you may be able to complete your online bachelors degree in less time than you would at a campus school, since you have more control over your online program and how quickly you complete your required courses.
How Do I Find Bachelor’s Degrees and Colleges Near Me?
To find a university or specific degree program, you will need to conduct a search using the criteria that are most important to you. For example, if you want a particular university or college, do an Internet search for “[Insert University/College Name] online bachelor’s degree program.” Another way to find out about degrees and colleges near you is by going through your state’s Board of Education website. These state ran websites can also provide helpful information around tuition and financial aid, and even list scholarships if they are available.
How do I narrow down my choice of schools that offer Bachelors Degrees?
The type of school experience you’re looking for and the type of bachelors degree you want will help you determine the best choices for you. First, you’ll want to determine whether you want to attend a private university, public university, liberal arts college, career college or online school.
You’ll also want to determine if a campus school or online school best suits your needs and look at the school’s accreditation and what courses and degree programs are offered. Since standardized tests are likely to be required, be sure to check if your scores are good enough to help you get admitted into the school. The cost of the school is likely to be another determining factor.
The world is changing and so are the demands for a degree. A bachelor’s degree has become a helpful asset guiding you on a path to a fulfilling career, but there are many different degrees available with different focuses. The following list will help you find the right program for your interests and goals. Explore those options below!
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
- Accounting
- Acquisition & Contract Management
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs
- Applied Science
- Business Management
- Criminal Justice
- Cyber Security
- Digital Media
- Healthcare Management
- Homeland & Corporate Security
- HR & Risk Management
- Legal Studies
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Management (Business)
- Management Information Systems
- Marketing
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Social Work
- Technology