Bachelor’s Degree

Answering Your Questions About Bachelor’s Degree Programs

The traditional four-year college degree is known as a bachelor’s degree. It’s what people generally mean when they discuss getting a degree. Bachelor’s degree programs are typically awarded by accredited liberal arts colleges. They’re also incredibly diverse, opening doors to a wide range of career options.

General education plays a major role in any bachelor’s degree program. You can expect a healthy amount of coursework in subjects like English composition and college mathematics. Teaching critical thinking is a focal point during the early semesters of any four-year degree program.

There are three types of bachelor’s degrees. The Bachelor of Arts, or BA, allows for the broadest exploration of subjects. Common majors for those who earn BA degrees are communications, art, English, and music.

The Bachelor of Science, or BS, degree features a more career-focused curriculum. Business is probably the most common area of study for students in these programs, with computer science another popular choice. If you’re interested in a healthcare career, earning a BS in biology is a great path to take.

If you’re more interested in the creative arts world, a Bachelor of Fine Arts, or BFA, is ideal for you. These programs focus on the arts, of course, but the BFA is considered a more professional than academic degree. Singers, dancers, and painters often learn their crafts through a BFA program.

Bachelor’s degree programs consist of about 120 credit hours, so students can expect to take something like 40 courses. There are also some accelerated online programs that can be completed in two years. In general, though, a bachelor’s degree is considered a four-year degree for good reason.

There are plenty of advantages to earning a bachelor’s degree. First, it can be tough to even get an interview for many professional positions without a four-year degree. If you’re already in your profession, you’ll be able to earn more once you have a bachelor’s degree. Earning a bachelor’s is also the first step toward a more extensive and specialized education. If you have visions of someday earning a master’s degree or even a doctorate, you need to have the right educational background.

Tuition and fees can vary widely depending on your situation and the school you attend. The state in which you enroll, available financial aid, and the type of institution (public vs. private) will determine the overall cost of a bachelor’s degree program. However, there’s no doubt that earning a four-year degree is worth the investment of time and money. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that those with a bachelor’s degree make 64 percent more per week than those who have only a high school diploma.

There are plenty of things for you to consider before you begin a bachelor’s degree program, but you don’t have to ask if earning one is a worthwhile investment. Doing so will give your career pursuits an undeniable boost.