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What is a Bachelor's Degree?
A bachelor’s degree is a four-year degree. It typically takes four years of full-time study to earn a bachelor’s degree. In these four years, you will complete 120 semester credits or about 40 college courses.
If your college uses a quarter system rather than a semester system, you’ll need to complete a minimum of 180 quarter credits to earn an accredited bachelor’s degree.
In most cases, more than half of a bachelor’s degree consists of general education or liberal arts courses in areas such as English, critical thinking, psychology, history and mathematics.
Typically only 30 to 36 credits—10 to 12 courses—will be in your major area of study. Regionally accredited liberal arts colleges award most of the bachelor’s degrees in the United States.
Historically, the term “college degree” meant a bachelor’s or traditional four-year degree. The bachelor’s degree remains the standard for entry into many professional careers.
In most cases, you cannot attend a professional graduate school in law, medicine, or teacher education unless you hold a bachelor’s degree.
When to Seek a Bachelor’s Degree
When You …
• Know that a bachelor’s degree is required for your career • Have already earned more than 60 semester college credits or hold at least one associate degree. • Know that a graduate or professional degree will be required for your career.
TIP: Some careers may require a very specific type of bachelor’s degree. For example, if your goal is to become a public school teacher your state Board of Education will require, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree in education —and that degree will need to include some very specific courses. Check with your state licensing board before enrolling in any bachelor’s degree program in accounting, education, nursing, counseling and engineering, in particular.
TIP: Should you earn a second bachelor’s degree? In most cases, the answer is NO. If you have a bachelor’s in one area—say art history—and are trying to re-tool to work in another area, such as human resources, consider adding a certificate to your resume rather than trying to earn a second bachelor’s degree. By earning a certificate you’ll essentially be adding a new “major” area of study to the general education studies of your original bachelor’s degree.
Show Me an Online Bachelor’s Degree
Basically, a bachelor’s degree looks like an associate degree doubled.
Below is a sample bachelor's degree so you can see the type of curriculum commonly required. Colleges will vary in their exact degree requirements. Compare colleges carefully on the courses they will require you to take to earn your bachelor's degree in any one major area.
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Finance Emphasis and Accounting Minor
Curriculum:
Competency Requirements (11 credits) English Composition (6) Speech Communication (2) Mathematics of Finance (3)
Liberal Arts Requirements (36 - 39 credits) • Fine Arts (Art, Music or Theater), Humanities (Literature, Foreign Language, Philosophy or Women's Studies), and Historical Perspective (History) (12 credits) • Social Sciences (includes Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Cultural Geography, Women's Studies, Criminal Justice)(9) —Principles of Macroeconomics (3) —Principles of Microeconomics (3) —Introduction to Criminal Justice (3) • Natural Science (9) (Must take courses from at least two disciplines, including Astronomy, Physics, Geology, Geography, Biology; each course must involve a laboratory experience.) • International Education (3) —Global Business (3) • Ethnic & Gender Studies (3 to 6) —Management, Gender and Race (3)
Business Administration Major Requirements:
Required Courses (45 credits) Financial Accounting (3 credits) Management Accounting (3) Accounting Issues for Managers (3) Global Business (3) Leadership and Management (3) Introduction to Marketing (3) Human Resource Management (3) Legal Environment of Business (3) Financial Management (3) Business Policy/Strategy (3) Microcomputer Applications (3) Business Communication (3) Principles of Macroeconomics (3) Principles of Microeconomics (3) Business Area of Emphasis/Finance - 15 credits Investments (3) Financial Decision Making (3) Elective (9) Agricultural Commodity Marketing (3) Managerial Law (3) Principles of Real Estate Personal Financial Planning Risk Management Financial Systems Analysis Bank Management Security Analysis Money and Banking
Accounting Minor (24 credits) Financial Accounting (3) Management Accounting (3) Intermediate Accounting I (3) Federal Income Tax (3) Cost Accounting (3) Intermediate Accounting II Advanced Accounting I Budgets and Budgetary Control (3)
For more information about other schools with online bachelor's degree programs, search GetEducated.com's complete database of online bachelor's degree programs.
I’m looking for an online MBA. I’ve found several that fit my budget but none are accredited by the AACSB. What is the AACSB? Do I really need a distance MBA degree that is accredited by them?
—Roberta, Gary, IN
The AACSB is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. It is considered the gold standard of business school accreditation. But not every student needs an AACSB-accredited MBA...
I was laid off from my job as a real estate agent and want to be a high school math teacher, but my bachelor’s degree is in psychology. Do I need a new degree in education? Will an online bachelor’s in education qualify me to become a licensed teacher?
—Willis, Houston, Texas
If you didn’t earn a bachelor’s degree in education years ago and you now want to teach in the public schools, don’t fret. Every state maintains what are termed “alternative teacher certification” programs...
Ohio University’s online Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program prepares professionals for leadership positions in contemporary health organizations in the U.S. Graduates are highly valued for their ability to solve complex problems and meet organizational goals by combining their knowledge of the evolving health environment with their experience. The program is designed for mid-career professionals, is offered entirely online and can be completed in two years.
ASU offers a variety of high-quality, accredited online degree programs. With flexibility, convenience, and exemplary customer service, we help bring your goal of completing a degree within reach. Start today and take the next step toward furthering your career and enriching your life.
For active-duty military, reservists, veterans, and military families.
More than half of military students use online education. What do you need to know to find schools that best fit your needs? How can you find the best financial aid and scholarship package at your online school? Answers are here.
The field of online education is growing and so is the need for teachers who can teach online. Check out our regularly updated list of online job opportunities, post your job availability, and visit our Online Resource Center, with tips, advice and free downloads for online educators.
Facts from GetEducated's National Survey of Online MBAs. Who offers the cheapest online MBA? Do you need an AACSB-accredited distance MBA? Online MBA rankings and ratings. Everything you need to know to compare 390 accredited online MBAs from 168 online business schools.
I’m looking for an online MBA. I’ve found several that fit my budget but none are accredited by the AACSB. What is the AACSB? Do I really need a distance MBA degree that is accredited by them?
—Roberta, Gary, IN 
The AACSB is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International. It is considered the gold standard of business school accreditation. But not every student needs an AACSB-accredited MBA... 
