A bachelor degree is one of the most common degrees sought by college-bound students. Available in a variety of fields, bachelor’s programs typically require about four years of full-time study.
Graduates who earn a bachelor’s degree can move directly into a career or pursue an advanced degree. In either case, a bachelor’s degree is the key that unlocks the door to a world of career options and development.
An Introduction to the Bachelor Degree
A bachelor’s degree is a post-secondary undergraduate degree. In this program, students are usually expected to complete 120 semester credits. This is roughly 40 college courses and typically takes about four years to complete.
This degree is considered the most traditional college degree. It includes general education or liberal arts courses in areas such as social sciences, natural sciences, computer science, history, math, and English.
It also includes required credit hours in your major area of study. In most cases, only 30 to 36 credits are in your major study area.
This degree serves as a prerequisite for entry into most professional careers and is critical for anyone looking for career advancement. In jobs like teaching, engineering, and more, you cannot enter the field without at least a bachelor’s degree. You also typically cannot enter a graduate program, such as a master’s degree or doctoral degree program, without at least a bachelor’s degree.
How Important Is a Bachelor Degree?
In today’s career field, having a bachelor’s degree is nearly a necessity to land a solid job with any possibility for advancement. Here are also some other benefits that a bachelor’s degree offers.
Improved Employment Opportunities
In many career paths, a bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement. This degree shows potential employers that you are committed to your field. It also shows a base level of relevant knowledge.
This degree is a valuable credential that can help you qualify for a wide range of positions. A bachelor’s degree can lead to entry-level positions in many fields including business management, health sciences, healthcare management, and information systems.
Graduate School Possibility
If you are interested in advancing your studies, you will most likely need a bachelor’s degree to be accepted into a graduate program. This includes things like a master’s degree and also specialized training like med school or law school.
Not only does a bachelor’s degree help you qualify for more jobs, it also helps you secure a higher rate of pay when you nab that job.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a person with a bachelor’s degree makes just over $500 more than those with only a high school diploma.
Not only is pay higher for those holding bachelor’s degrees, these people are also less likely to be unemployed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree had an overall unemployment rate of just 2.2% in 2019. The national average unemployment rate that year was 3.6%, rising to 3.7% for those who held only a high school degree.
What Types of Bachelor Degrees Are Available?
The possibilities for bachelor’s degrees and their particular fields of study are nearly endless, but most fall under three common degree types. These are:
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
A B.A. is typically considered more general than some other degree options. It generally requires that a student has fewer concentration courses and more general study courses.
These degrees are designed for those with an interest in the liberal arts who desire the opportunity to customize their educational path to meet their career goals. The most common majors awarded with a B.A. upon graduation include English, art, and communications.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
A B.S. is less exploratory and more content-specific. This degree is more focused on the field of your major and may even be considered more career-focused. For example, degrees in the medical field are often Bachelor of Science degrees. Some of the most common majors within the Bachelor of Science degree options include business, economics, and biology.
Bachelor’s in Fine Arts (BFA)
A BFA is the final common variety of bachelor’s degree. Individuals pursuing a BFA are typically those interested in entering the creative arts. Students pursuing a BFA often aspire to have a career in performing or visual arts.
What Is Required to Earn a Bachelor Degree?
The particular course load required for your degree will depend on the college you attend. It will also depend on your selected major.
Most bachelor’s degree programs need roughly 30 to 36 credits within your major. This means that more than half of the coursework is focused on general education courses. In addition, some programs require students to complete an internship or practicum to provide hands-on experience in their field.
What’s the Difference Between a Bachelor’s Degree and an Associate’s Degree?
Many students entering higher education weigh the possibility of pursuing a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree. It’s important to understand the key differences between the two to choose the best fit for you.
At a very basic level, a bachelor’s degree is a four-year degree while an associate degree is typically a two-year option. Obviously, you will receive more experience and learn more content during a four-year degree program. The end goals of these degrees are generally different as well.
A bachelor’s degree program is designed to provide a student with a well-balanced education and the skills necessary to pursue a specific career field. Bachelor’s degrees prepare students for professional jobs such as those in middle management. They require both general and specific coursework.
An associate’s degree more often prepares graduates for entry-level careers with the necessary skills and knowledge required for their selected field. In some cases, these degrees can later transfer into a four-year degree or provide the basis of general education requirements for a more advanced degree.
Common career goals accessible through an associate’s degree include entry-level positions in information technology, criminal justice, and human resources.
Who Should Seek a Bachelor Degree?
Deciding whether a bachelor’s degree is right for you is not always easy. There are a few considerations that can simplify the decision for you. A bachelor’s degree obviously presents more opportunities for individuals willing and able to put the added time and effort into a four-year degree.
You should consider a bachelor’s degree program if you:
- Plan to pursue a career for which a bachelor’s degree is required
- Have already earned 60+ semester college credits
- Already hold at least one associate’s degree
How Will I Earn a Bachelor’s Degree?
Most colleges and universities require similar prerequisites for their bachelor’s level majors. Some of the more common prerequisites for a bachelor’s degree include:
- A high school diploma or GED
- A minimum high school GPA
- A minimum required SAT or ACT score
- An application essay
- Recommendations from teachers
Additionally, many colleges look for students to have taken certain courses prior to application. Often, students must have completed the following high school course work:
- 3 science credits
- 2 foreign language credits
- 3 math credits
- 4 English credits
- 3 history or government credits
- 1 art credit
Is a Bachelor’s Degree Right for Me?
Making the decision to pursue a bachelor’s degree is a very personal one. It is important to understand, though, that this degree can create multiple opportunities for you, not only as you enter the career field but also as you look to advance in it.
Likewise, by simply having a bachelor’s degree, you’ll be able to increase your rate of pay, reduce your risk of unemployment, and gain more credibility during the hiring process. Of course, in order to achieve a bachelor’s degree you’ll need to apply to and get into colleges that are a good fit for you.
That’s where services like College Rank can help. Here, you’ll find curated college rankings sorted by degree program, subject matter, and more. You can even locate lists of online bachelor’s degree programs.
To learn more about the various undergraduate programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, don’t miss these important rankings: