Get Informed With Bachelor’s Degree Basics
A bachelor’s degree is probably the first thing that comes to mind when people think about a college education. It typically takes four years to earn these degrees, most of which are awarded by regionally accredited liberal arts colleges. Bachelor’s degrees are generally understood to be the standards of entry for a wide variety of careers.
You need to complete about 40 courses to attain a bachelor’s degree, which would break down to 120 semester hours or 180 quarter credits depending on which system is in place.
Liberal arts classes are key parts of bachelor’s degree programs. You can expect to take 10 to 12 courses in your major area of study, with the rest being occupied by general education topics such as English, history, mathematics, and social or physical sciences.
There are a few ideal circumstances in which you should pursue a bachelor’s degree:
- When Your Career Goals Demand It: This is probably the most obvious reason to earn a bachelor’s degree. It’s your ticket to a great number of entry-level professional roles, so the effort to secure a degree is well worth it.
- When an Advanced Degree Is Required: You can’t earn a master’s degree without first completing a degree at the bachelor’s level. It’s always a good time to go further down the educational road.
- When You Already Have Some College Credits: If you have an associates degree or a healthy number of college credits, you owe it to yourself and your career to follow through and complete a bachelor’s degree program.
The three most popular types of bachelor’s degrees are Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science, (BS), and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). There are countless options when it comes to specific majors and concentrations, but here are some general notes on each type of baccalaureate degree:
- BA: A Bachelor of Arts degree typically requires fewer courses in a concentration area and a broader focus on exploring the liberal arts. There’s more freedom built into the curriculum as a result. The most common majors here include communications, English, art, and music.
- BS: If you want to focus on a specific concentration, the Bachelor of Science is the right choice for you. These programs are typically more career-focused, with popular majors including business, computer science, and biology.
- BFA: This is considered more of a professional degree geared toward the creative arts world. Dancers, singers, actors, and painters are among the people who pursue Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees.
When selecting the right bachelor’s degree program for your needs, you must consider a few key things. One is cost, which will vary significantly depending on your chosen major. Exploring all financial aid options is a good idea before you get too far down the road in selecting a course of study. If you need flexibility in terms of class schedule, an online program might be the ideal fit. Just be sure you can work well without face-to-face interaction.
Whatever type of program you choose, earning a bachelor’s degree is the right choice for taking your career to the next level.