What is a Bachelor’s Degree?

A bachelor’s degree is a diploma awarded to students who have completed an undergraduate academic program successfully. Students usually need four years of study to complete it, though this varies depending on the school they attend. A variety of degrees are available in a variety of academic fields, and many students continue on to a postgraduate program after graduation.

A Bachelor’s Degree’s Purpose and Function

A bachelor’s degree is one of the most common types of academic degree and is frequently the first degree a student receives in his or her academic career. Although many students simply work on a four-year degree, the bachelor’s degree is sometimes awarded with additional study after a student first earns an associate’s degree, which takes about two years. More than 30% of people in the United States had a bachelor’s degree as of 2012.

A four-year degree shows that a student has received a broad and general education with a focus on a specific subject area, such as history or biology. A bachelor’s degree is required for many jobs; however, the specific field of study isn’t always important. Other academic or technical professions may require advanced study.

Obtaining a Diploma

Bachelor’s degree programs typically require 120 to 150 credits or hours of class time to complete. A typical course usually counts for three credits or hours toward a degree, though this varies college. Depending on the school, a certain number of credits may be required in various areas; for example, some core math and writing courses may be required, while a significant number of credits must usually be earned in the student’s major study area. In some cases, a college may require students to take multiple classes in various departments in order to expose them to a wide range of fields, and many students do so.

Most colleges in the United States and Canada require students to declare a major field of study. A major is a field of study, and courses in this field typically account for 25% or more of the total credits required for graduation. Other countries include concentration areas for degrees, which are often referred to as “courses” rather than “majors.”

Some schools have very strict requirements for specific majors, and students in these fields are required to take all of the required classes in a specific order. A “double major,” which is a concentration in two different areas of study, is also sometimes possible. Many students also declare a minor, which typically consists of a number of classes in one discipline or academic specialization, and is frequently related to the academic major.

Different types of degrees

Students can choose from a variety of bachelor’s degrees, including the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) (BS). The BS degree is for those who want to pursue subjects such as medicine, biology, or psychology, whereas the BA is for those who have completed coursework in the humanities and arts. Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Economics, and Bachelor of Fine Arts are some other popular bachelor’s degrees. After earning a bachelor’s degree, a student may choose to continue his or her education and pursue a master’s or doctorate degree.

The Bachelor’s Degree in History

The term “bachelor” originally meant “young apprentice,” which is how the degree got its name. In many countries, it is also referred to as a “baccalaureate.” This term appears to have originally referred to a degree given to students when they were ready to begin studying with others and student-teaching. Since its inception in Europe, this term has spread to many countries and can refer to a wide range of educational levels.

In different countries, undergraduate degrees are referred to different names. In Japan, for example, a bachelor’s degree program is referred to as gakushi, which is a six-year course of study. The Commonwealth of Independent States, which includes former Soviet Union member countries, refers to it as the bakalavr. Students can sometimes receive their education in one country and then transfer it to another country as an equivalent degree.