How Many Credits in a Bachelor's Degree?

If you’re getting ready to apply for college and earn a bachelor's degree or have questions about transferring from one university to another, understanding what it takes to complete your college degree is key to your success.

Whether you are starting with your associate’s degree, going straight into your undergrad or continuing your education with a master’s degree, it’s important to know how much of your time you’ll be investing in your desired program. Which is what brings us here today.

 Today’s article discusses college credits and how many are required for a bachelor’s degree. I will go over degree requirements and course credit differences and provide tips on how you can stay on top of your credits. The college system can be overwhelming and confusing, which is why it’s important to be aware of what to expect out of your college education. Let’s begin.  

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What Are College Credits?

A college credit is a unit of measurement used by schools to track the academic value of a course. They are also used to calculate a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) and eligibility for financial aid. Most college courses are three credits.

Credit hours

Credit hours is a unit of measurement for the time spent in class, which is one hour per credit, with each course ranging anywhere between three and six credit hours. For example, a three-credit course would typically involve three hours of class time per week. 

Please note: credit hours can vary depending on the type of course, the level of education, and the school. This means that for other schools, the ratio between credit hours and clock hours can also vary depending on the school, level of education, and course type. A general rule of thumb is that one credit hour is equivalent to 45–48 clock hours.

Bachelor’s Degree Credit Requirements

A bachelor’s degree typically requires 120 college credits, but this can vary depending on the degree. Some programs, like nursing or engineering, may require more or even fewer credits than another individual degree program.

Keep in mind that a portion of the 120 units will go towards your general education requirements while the rest is applied to others. Let’s break it down:

Core Credit Requirements

College credits are dispersed amongst different credit areas, one of which is core credits. These general education courses are low-level courses that focus on general subjects like English, math, and science. Courses will be from your college’s requirements list, but you will get to choose which specific course(s) you take. That is, your specific major may require six history credits, but you can choose which history courses you take.

Elective Requirements

Elective courses are usually upper-level courses that are more specific, intense, and time-consuming than the rest of your bachelor’s degree. Most universities allow you to choose up to 10 free elective courses per semester that have nothing to do with your major. This is a great way to give students the freedom to try new things and explore outside of their major.

Transfer Credits

It's usually possible to transfer credits from one institution to another. However, depending on differences in syllabi or other policies, your new school may not accept all of your credits.

For example, if you complete 30 college credits at one school, that means you were adhering to the school’s course requirements according to each course taken. If you apply to a new school, they may only take a certain number of credits from your previous school, and you would have to take more credits to adhere to their course requirements. This could result in having to take some courses twice or take on new classes.

Other Degrees

While some students are heading off to traditional 4-year universities and colleges, others are heading to community college to pursue their associate's degree or enroll in a master’s degree program. This is why it’s important to know the college credit requirements for other degrees as well.

Associate Degree

Though not as demanding as a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree still requires the same amount of effort to accomplish. Associate’s programs require at least 60 credits for degree completion.

Though it’s only half of the bachelor’s credit requirement, you should still keep the same determination and focus throughout the journey.

Master’s Degree

If you want to continue your pursuit of higher education and are headed to graduate school, you should expect to complete a minimum of 30 – 60 credit hours for your master’s degree.

I know that number doesn’t sound like a lot, but that’s for a reason. Graduate programs are known to be demanding and have rigorous academic course loads. You must be aware of its demand.

Tracking Your Credit Progress

Tracking the credit progress in your college courses is an important part of managing your academic career, so it’s important to know how this can be done. Here are some effective ways to track your college credit progress:

1. Understand Your Degree Requirements

• Review your school’s curriculum and credit hour requirements for your major. This includes core credits, major-specific courses, electives, and general education credits.
• Schedule regular meetings with your academic advisor to make sure you understand the specific credit requirements needed to graduate college.

2.  Review Your Transcript Regularly

• Your college should keep your official transcripts that record all of your courses and grades. Review it to verify the credits you’ve earned, as well as to keep track of your GPA.
• If you’ve earned credits from another institution, verify that those credits from accredited colleges have been applied to your transcript correctly.

3. Understand the Credit Requirements for Graduation

• Make sure you know the total number of hours required to earn college credit. For most bachelor’s degrees, credits total around 120-130, depending on the program.
• Make sure you're meeting the quota of credits in areas like:
  • General Education (i.e., humanities, math, science)
  • Major-Specific Courses
  • Electives (i.e., foreign languages, writing-intensive courses, etc.)

4. Plan for Future Semesters

• Make sure you’re meeting prerequisites for advanced courses (if necessary) and plan your schedule accordingly. Some majors have sequenced courses that you must take in a specific order.
• If you fall behind or want to get ahead, consider taking courses during the summer or winter semesters. Break down your courses into semesters and decide which courses you plan to take according to availability, prerequisites, and academic workload.

5. Understand the Credit Requirements for Graduation

• Academic advisors are key to ensuring you’re meeting your credit requirements and progressing toward graduation. They can also help you navigate credit transfers and add/drop deadlines.
• Before applying for graduation, meet with your advisor for a final check of your academic progress. They can confirm all completed courses and help you avoid any unwelcome surprises.

Keeping track of your academic progress is one of the best ways to stay on track with your study goals. If you’re entering a new degree program, this will especially be vital for you. Remember, you can find information on programs and credit requirements on your school’s website.

Tips for Undergraduate Success

Excelling in your bachelor's degree program isn’t just about getting good grades. It's about creating new and effective habits that will lead you toward success. Below are some helpful tips that can help you thrive as an undergrad:

1. Time Management - Time management is key to success. Create a schedule that allows you to stay on track with your responsibilities, as well as plan ahead. If you want to avoid procrastination, try to break up your tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks.
2. Develop Study Habits - Instead of reading or highlighting study materials, engage with your notes. Summarize them, recite them to others, or ask a study buddy to discuss classwork. Collaborating with peers can also help with learning, clarifying difficult concepts, and exposing each other to new perspectives.
3. Be Present - Aside from time management, attending all classes is extremely important to be present throughout the journey. It also helps with staying on track and keeping notes organized. Avoid distractions like your phone during class, and don't be afraid to ask questions when you need clarity. Participating in class discussions will deepen your understanding, as well as build your relationship with your professors.
4. Develop Strong Study Habits - Creating realistic study habits will ease the burden of last-minute cram sessions. Study a little every day rather than waiting until the night before your exam(s). Find a quiet, distraction-free place to study, stay off your cell phone, and avoid any other kind of distractions. You can also review your notes at the end of or after each class. And if you're still struggling, use your on-campus resources like tutoring services, study centers, or your professors.
5. Network - Build relationships with classmates and study partners. They can be a great resource not only for collaboration and support but also for future opportunities. One way of networking is by getting involved and joining clubs, organizations, or groups related to your field of interest. And don’t underestimate your professors. They can also offer guidance on career paths, internships, and grad school applications.
6. Prioritize Self-Care - Staying physically active and eating well is crucial for managing stress, improving focus, and boosting mood. Aim to get a solid 7-9 hours of sleep each night to maximize memory, cognitive function, and overall health. You can also practice techniques like deep breathing or meditation to manage stress effectively.
7. Stay Motivated - Remember why you started your academic journey and remain focused on the end goal. Whenever you feel discouraged, remind yourself of how you envision your future and what you want out of your academic career. Whether it's a passion for the subject or a long-term career goal, keep your motivation alive.

Following these tips can successfully help you earn your bachelor’s degree and achieve your academic goals. By balancing academics with personal well-being while building connections with others, you'll set yourself up for not only academic success but also personal growth and future career readiness.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Many Credits are Needed for a Bachelor's Degree

Can you transfer credits into a degree program?

Luckily for all students, yes, credit transfers from previously earned college credits are acceptable, depending on the degree and the school’s transfer policies. Students should always research transfer policies on their school’s website or contact their academic advisor to determine eligibility.

How many credits do you need to complete your bachelor's degree?

A complete bachelor’s degree requires the completion of 120 college credits, which equals about 40 classes and can take anywhere between 2 – 4 years to complete, depending on the program, course load, and student’s determination. These credits are very important for graduation and are made up of both core and elective requirements. The student’s school’s accreditation guidelines will specify how many credits and which courses are required for the completion of the degree.

How can you figure out how many credits you need to graduate?

If you have questions or are unsure about your school’s graduation or degree requirements, be sure to check its website. Beyond core and major credits, you may find questions regarding minimum grade point average (GPA) or other things like transferring credits. Depending on your major, you can likely locate degree requirements for specific majors by searching “major requirements.” For example, if you’re majoring in psychology, go to the psychology department’s website to look into their specific “major requirements.” You can do the same for any other major.

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