How many credits is the average bachelors degree

Just about everyone has heard the term "credits" at some point in their education. They’re also likely aware of how many credits they're taking and how many they need to graduate from school. Yet many of people don’t know exactly what a credit actually is.

Credits, often called credit hours, are calculated based on the estimated number of hours per week a student may spend completing that particular course. For example, one college credit typically amounts to one hour of in-class learning and two hours of homework or self-guided study per week. At most colleges, a typical course is three to four credits, meaning they take three to four hours of class time plus studying, totaling anywhere from nine to 12 hours per week.

Of course, these are just estimates. Study time can vary from student to student according to their needs, and from course to course. It's not uncommon for one student to spend less than 12 hours a week on a four-credit course, just as it's not uncommon to find a student who spends more than that per week on the same course. Despite this, a credit hour calculation can be useful when deciding how much coursework you can handle during a single session or semester.

The amount of time it takes to earn a credit is typically based on the length of a session at your university. A university that operates on the quarter system takes one quarter to earn a credit, and a university that operates on a semester system takes one semester to earn a credit. How many credits you can earn during a session is determined by your course load and the credit value of each individual course.

Yes, bachelor's degree programs can vary in length. While the minimum requirement for a bachelor's degree program is often 120 credits, it is not uncommon to see bachelor's degrees require more credit hours because of the way that credits are defined.

Certain bachelor's degrees may require more credits than others. The number of credit hours required will be based upon the amount of time needed to learn the appropriate knowledge and skills for the field you are preparing for.

It's also worth noting that just because one degree requires more credits than another, it doesn't necessarily mean that it will take longer to complete. Two degrees may have different credit requirements but still require the same number of courses – some courses may just carry a heavier workload than others.

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The number of credits it takes to graduate college greatly depends on the degree you want to earn. Each degree has a different credit requirement, takes a different length of time to complete and presents different opportunities for focus of study and career advancement.

There are a lot of things to consider when earning your college degree. Is the time it takes to earn a degree a primary factor? Are you concerned about the overall cost? When deciding on which degree you should earn, having a solid understanding of what your options are will help you decide what’s best for you.

How Many Credits for an Associate Degree?

An associate degree is typically required for entry-level professional positions in any industry. Some associate degree programs are tailored specifically to a career field while others have a broader base of study. An associate degree is also a perfect stepping stone for someone wanting to earn their bachelor’s degree further down the road.

An associate degree is usually 60 credits or around 20 courses. This degree usually takes 2 years to complete. Courses in an associate degree program are focused on general education to prepare you for a bachelor’s program as well as courses teaching more specific knowledge if you’re studying to enter a particular field. For example, an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts provides a broader academic base than an Associate of Science in Accounting, which will have courses specifically chosen to prepare a student for working in a financial department or an accounting position. Whether general or career-specific, you’ll still need around 60 credits to graduate with an associate degree.

How Many Credits for a Bachelor's Degree?

A bachelor’s degree may be your education goal from the start or the follow up to an associate degree you’ve already earned. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) determined many career fields, especially competitive fields, such as information technology, require a bachelor’s degree. The BLS also found 174 occupations as typically requiring an employee to have a bachelor’s degree to break into the field.

A bachelor’s degree takes 120 credits, which is around 40 courses. Typically, earning a bachelor’s degree takes 4 years, but depending on your previous education and whether you’re a full- or part-time student, it may take a shorter or longer length of time. You may have earned credit through other courses you’ve previously taken or certifications.

Bachelor’s degree programs are designed to prepare a student to enter a particular field. Some bachelor’s programs offer students the additional option of studying in a specific concentration. Degree concentrations are specializations within a field of study. If you’re earning a bachelor’s in psychology, you may want to take courses that focus on addiction, mental health or child and adolescent development. Adding a concentration to your bachelor’s degree allows you to learn more specifically about the area in which you’re aiming to have a career. 

How Many Credits for a Master's Degree?

If you’re looking for upward mobility in your career field, earning a master’s degree – or even a graduate certificate – can be helpful when it comes time to ask for a raise or promotion. Some employers may even offer to help with tuition as an employment benefit in order to retain valuable employees.

Usually a master's degree will take 1-2 years of full-time study to complete, but the number of credits required varies depending on your field of study and your experience in the field. Most master's degree programs require 30-60 credits. For example, a master's in psychology is 36 credits, while a master's in clinical mental health counseling is 60 credits.

Earn Credit Toward A Successful Future

The BLS keeps track of weekly earnings and unemployment rates compared to education levels. Year after year, the BLS has found higher education attainment has led to higher weekly wages and lower unemployment. While education takes a commitment of time and money, earning a degree at any level is more advantageous than not having a degree at all.

Ashley Wallis is an Army veteran and writer with a BA in English Language and Literature from SNHU. She is currently living in the Denver area. Find her on Twitter @AshDWallis.

How much credit do you need for a bachelor?

At many universities, including DeVry, a bachelor's degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours. Some bachelor's degrees may require more credit hours depending on the area of study.

How many credits does a degree have?

You usually need 60 credits to graduate college with an associate degree and 120 credits to graduate with a bachelor's degree.