Guide to Bachelor's Degrees: Students' Questions Answered

Figuring out what you want to do in life can be daunting, not to mention navigating the endless number of degrees and certificates available. Are you wondering if earning a bachelor’s degree is the right choice for you? Our guide answers your questions about this type of undergraduate degree.

What Is a Bachelor’s Degree?

A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree program designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of a specific subject area. For many students, a bachelor’s degree is the first step toward pursuing their chosen career, as many fields and industries require bachelor’s degrees for entry-level positions.

According to Coursera, individuals who earn a bachelor’s degree may find that they are able to pursue more job opportunities than those without a degree. A bachelor’s degree also can help boost earning potential over the course of your lifetime.

Is a Bachelor’s Degree a Major?

No, a bachelor’s degree is a type of undergraduate degree, whereas a major is the particular area you study within your degree program.

To explain a bit further, all bachelor’s degree programs—regardless of major—have a specific set of requirements students must fulfill in order to graduate and earn their degree. For instance, the typical bachelor’s degree program requires students to complete 120 credit hours before graduation. The types of credits required vary, though, based on the major you choose.

As you begin researching various colleges, you may see that there are many majors to choose from. Many students aim to select a major that most closely aligns with their personal interests, academic strengths and professional goals.

What About a Baccalaureate?

A baccalaureate degree is another name for a bachelor’s degree. Colleges that mention baccalaureate degree programs are referring to their four-year degree programs that are available in a wide range of majors.

Is It Bachelors or Bachelor’s?

The possessive form (with an apostrophe) is the proper way to reference a bachelor’s degree. When pluralized, the correct terminology is bachelor’s degrees. You only refer to a bachelor’s degree as singular when you are spelling out the formal name of the degree program, such as a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

Types of Bachelor’s Degree

There are four common types of bachelor’s degrees, with the type of degree varying based on the area of study and the kind of coursework required in order to complete the degree program.

The four types of bachelor’s degree programs include:

• Bachelor of Science (BS)
• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

What Is a BS Degree?

A Bachelor of Science degree is an academic degree program that focuses primarily on quantitative skills and practical research, according to Educations.com. While many available Bachelor of Science majors are science-based subjects, there also are non-science majors offered. Some of the most common Bachelor of Science majors include biology, psychology, computer science, business, finance and engineering.

What Is a BA Degree?

A Bachelor of Arts is another core type of bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor of Arts degree program often features a liberal arts curriculum, giving students more flexibility to choose coursework that aligns with their interests. Most majors available with this degree program revolve around the humanities, some options include journalism, education, history, communication and studio art.

What Is a BBA Degree?

A Bachelor of Business Administration is a specialized academic degree focused heavily on business practices and theories. Students who enroll in a BBA degree program primarily take coursework centered on business topics—such as business ethics, business finance, marketing and statistics, to name a few. In some cases, students have the opportunity to concentrate on a specific area of business, including accounting, organizational leadership, supply chain, hospitality or marketing.

What Is a BFA Degree?

A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program is another specialized undergraduate degree focused on skill development in a particular creative field. Students typically pursue a BFA degree program when they know which medium or field they want to delve into and want to build a portfolio in that area. Most major options within a BFA degree program fall under the creative arts, like creative writing, design, dance, film or theater.

How Many Years Is a Bachelor’s Degree?

A bachelor’s degree program typically takes four years of study to complete. However, depending on the pace of the individual student, it could take anywhere from four to six years to graduate with a bachelor’s degree—or even a little bit more or less time. Students enrolled full time will finish within a four-year time frame, while those enrolled part time may take longer to complete their bachelor’s degree program.

Bachelor’s Degrees Compared

Understanding the differences between bachelor’s degrees and other academic degrees can help you decide which program is best for your personal and professional goals:

Undergraduate Degree vs. Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree, but it’s just one of several types of undergraduate degree programs. An undergraduate degree program is one that students typically pursue after earning a high school diploma. Undergraduate degrees are available at colleges and universities around the United States.

After earning a bachelor’s degree, graduates are prepared to pursue professional opportunities in their chosen field, or they can continue on in their higher education journey and pursue a graduate degree.

Bachelor’s vs. Associate Degree

Both bachelor’s degrees and associate degrees are undergraduate degree programs. A bachelor’s degree program is typically more involved than an associate degree program and takes longer to complete. Associate degrees are commonly described as two-year degree programs, and many are designed to provide graduates with quick entry into the workforce. A bachelor’s degree program, on the other hand, traditionally requires four years of study and can prepare students for positions that offer additional career growth.

Diploma vs. Bachelor’s Degree

Diploma programs at the collegiate level allow students to enroll in limited number of undergraduate courses. Usually, the number of courses required for a diploma program would not meet the same requirements as an associate or bachelor’s degree. However, the credits earned during a diploma program can sometimes be applied toward an undergraduate degree in the future.

How to Get a Bachelor’s Degree

If you are interested in earning a bachelor’s degree, below are the general steps you need to take:

1. Complete Prerequisites

Before you can apply to a college and enroll in a degree program, you must ensure you complete all prerequisites. Most colleges require prospective students to have earned a high school diploma or GED before applying for admission. Individual colleges and universities may have additional requirements in place, so you could be asked to provide:

• Previous transcripts and records of your GPA
• Letters of recommendation from teachers, employers or coaches
• Standardized test scores

2. Choose Your Major/Degree

Before you begin applying to college, consider the major you want to pursue. By knowing what major you are most interested in ahead of time, you can narrow down your selection of schools.

According to Forbes, you should consider the following when choosing a major:

• Your interests and passions – You are going to spend a lot of time studying this particular subject, so it’s crucial to choose a field that excites you.
• Your academic strengths – By understanding what areas you excel in, you can choose a program that aligns with your interests and also points you toward a career in which you can succeed.
• Your goals – Many students enroll in a bachelor’s degree program that allows them to enter their chosen field, so your professional goals should play a pivotal role in the major you choose

It’s worth noting, however, that there are opportunities to change your major once you have started your degree program. You still have room for flexibility and growth, even after beginning your college career.

3. Apply to College

After you have chosen your major, you can begin the process of applying to college. The application process varies from one school to the next, but the vast majority of college applications can be completed quickly and easily online.

4. Financial Aid

Paying for your bachelor’s degree does not have to be a major burden. In fact, many financial assistance programs are available to help students earn their degrees. The most common types of financial aid include:

• Student loans
• Scholarships
• Grants

Many college students rely on several types of financial aid to earn their bachelor’s degree.

5. Complete Requirements

Once you have been admitted to your chosen college and secured any necessary financial aid, you can begin completing the requirements for your degree program. The typical bachelor’s degree program requires about 120 credit hours to graduate, but your individual degree program may have additional requirements as well. Some bachelor’s degree programs require students to complete an internship, clinical hours or studio time in order to graduate.

6. Graduation!

After completing the program requirements for your bachelor’s degree, it’s time to celebrate! Once you graduate and have your degree in hand, you can begin the exciting process of launching your career, knowing you have the knowledge and skills under your belt to thrive in your chosen field.

Is a Bachelor’s Degree Worth It?

Earning a bachelor’s degree takes considerable time and effort, and it does require some financial investment. Nonetheless, most students with a bachelor’s degree would agree that it’s a worthwhile endeavor.

According to Indeed, these are some reasons why it could be worth it to earn a bachelor’s degree:

• In many professional fields, a bachelor’s degree is required for entry-level positions. By earning a bachelor’s degree, you could consider more job opportunities in your chosen field.
• Many bachelor’s degree programs provide further opportunities to specialize, which can help you accomplish your career goals. For example, you may be able to choose a concentration or specialization within your program, or you may have internship opportunities. By focusing on skill development throughout the duration of your bachelor’s degree program, you can better market yourself after graduation for the most competitive positions in your industry.
• Earning a bachelor’s degree can help increase your earning potential over time. In some cases, positions that require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree may pay higher than those that do not. In addition, fields requiring a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions often have more upward mobility, which can help you advance in the field over time.
• Though many of the benefits of bachelor’s degree programs center on professional growth, it can be a rewarding journey on a personal level as well. Throughout your bachelor’s degree program, you can enroll in courses that introduce you to new topics, concepts and ideas. Additionally, you meet professors and classmates from diverse backgrounds, allowing you to learn more about yourself and the world around you. Many students report that they graduate with a bachelor’s degree with a renewed sense of confidence and self-worth, knowing they can undertake challenges and accomplish great things.

Start Your Journey to a Bachelor’s Degree Today!

At Bryant & Stratton College, we offer a vast variety of career-focused bachelor’s degree programs designed to provide the foundation necessary to accomplish your dreams. With both in-person and online undergraduate degree programs available, you can easily find a program that fits within your current schedule.

Request more information about our bachelor’s degree programs and start the admissions process today.