by Carlos Soto, CourseAdvisor
What is a Bachelor Degree?
A bachelor degree is a college degree awarded to students who complete a full 4-year undergraduate curriculum (course of study). Bachelor degrees may also be referred to as baccalaureate degrees.
Most students enter a bachelor degree program directly from high school or after completing an associate degree program, but the face of U.S. higher education is changing in the 21st century. Increasingly, many adults with a high school diploma or GED are going back to school to earn their bachelor degree. Today, the number of traditional 18- to 22-year old fulltime undergraduate students living on a college campus is far outnumbered by a huge community of non-traditional students—working adults going back to school for their college degrees.
What are the benefits of having a Bachelor degree?
A bachelor degree offers many benefits and opportunities. Having a bachelor degree:
- Can significantly increase your earnings. Adults age 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree and working fulltime earned an average of 62% more than those with a high school diploma alone in 2006, according to the most recent statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
- Opens the door to many more career options, job opportunities, and promotions than you might be eligible for with a high school diploma or associate degree.
- Is a standard requirement for admission into accredited master's and doctorate degree programs.
Where can you earn a Bachelor degree?
Pursuing your bachelor degree doesn't mean you have to go to school fulltime or live on an expensive, ivy-covered campus. These days, bachelor degree programs are accessible through a number of education options.
Community colleges
Community colleges are a great place to begin working on a bachelor degree, especially if you have limited funding for school or are not exactly sure what you want to study. Community colleges do not typically offer bachelor degrees, but their associate degree programs are usually designed to be transferrable into bachelor degree programs at 4-year schools.
State universities
State universities are another excellent option for students on a tight budget. Tuition at state universities is frequently much lower than that at private colleges and universities, particularly for students who live in the state. State universities are an example of traditional "brick-and-mortar" schools, but they are often large systems designed to serve a wide variety of students, including those who can't attend classes fulltime. To meet the needs of the greatest number of students, state universities may offer part-time or night-time courses as well as daytime classes.
Private non-profit and for-profit colleges and universities
Private colleges and universities, another example of "brick-and-mortar" schools, are usually more expensive than state universities, but may offer customized advantages. Private nonprofit colleges are primarily attended by fulltime undergraduates living on or near campus, but private for-profit colleges cater much more to working adults, offering flexible course schedules and class times.
Online
If you can't attend classes fulltime or during regular class hours, there's some good news - you may be able to earn your bachelor degree online. Online
bachelor degree programs bypass the campus classroom and offer greater flexibility regarding "attendance." Some online courses may require you to participate in a virtual class at a regularly scheduled time. Other courses may require participation only through email, forums, and chat rooms, allowing you to complete your assignments at whatever time and pace you choose. (Read more about the different types of online learning classes here.) Online bachelor degree programs require more self-discipline than on-campus classes, but offer a tremendous advantage in convenience.
What is required for admission to a Bachelor degree program?
Schools have different criteria for admitting students to their bachelor degree programs, but the basic requirements usually include:
- At least a high-school diploma or G.E.D.
- SAT or ACT test results
- A transcript of your high school grades
- One or more application essays
- At least one letter of recommendation
Depending on the type of bachelor degree you want, the school you want to attend, and whether you are transferring from an associate degree program, not all of those items may be needed. Many colleges have admissions counselors who can help you figure out which requirements you'll need to meet and how to find assistance with them.
Types of Bachelor degrees
Bachelor degrees are available in a wide range of disciplines, but the most common general degrees are the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.). Many bachelor's degrees are awarded as concentrations of one of these two degrees, although there are numerous bachelor degrees named specifically for their subject areas.
In the U.S., both the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees include general education courses, classes in basic skills such as writing or computer proficiency, and coursework specific to your chosen specialization (your "major").
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
The bachelor of arts degree is awarded upon the completion of a course or program in the liberal arts or sciences, or both. The class requirements for a B.A.
degree are focused more on creating a well-rounded graduate through the study of social sciences, natural sciences, and foreign languages. Bachelor of arts degrees tend to be awarded more often in the humanities than in the natural sciences.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Beyond the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science, two other common bachelor degrees are the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) and the Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.).
Not sure which bachelor degree program is right for you?
Let the CourseAdvisor Wizard match you to the accredited online or campus program best suited to your goals and schedule.
Or, browse the CourseAdvisor Directory for accredited online and campus bachelor degree programs in these subject areas:
Sources:
1) "Educational Attainment in the United States: 2006," United States Census Bureau.
2) "Going Back to School: Spotlight on Statistics," U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, August 2007.
3) "Hidden in Plain Sight: Adult Learners Forge a New Tradition in Higher Education," by
Peter J. Stokes. Secretary of Education’s Commission on the Future of Higher Education, 2006.
4) Wikipedia
Carlos Soto is a Content Editor at CourseAdvisor.
