Credit hours
needed for a bachelor degree in the United States are similar throughout the country. The most common degrees are the Bachelor of the Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees, and are usually focused in one discipline. Credit hours in a bachelor degree are usually split between major classes, general education requirements and elective classes.
Credit Hours
At most major universities around the United States, the total credit hours needed for a bachelor degree range between 110 and 130. The most common number is an even 120.
Per Semester
A full-time semester of 15 credit hours every fall and winter will allow a student to earn a bachelor degree in 4 years without needing additional spring or summer classes.
Major Credits
Most universities require from 35 to 55 credits in the area of the major of the bachelor degree. These include between 8 and 14 classes that each department makes mandatory for a degree.
General Education Credits
Every school (such as science or arts) requires a certain number of general education classes to be taken by any student within that school, no matter the major. The credit hours are usually around 50.
Elective Credits
Elective credits are additional classes needed for a bachelor degree. They can sometimes be taken as extra electives within a major, or can be other classes of supplemental interset to a student, usually around 30 credits.
Double Major
A double major of two bachelor degrees usually requires between 140 and 150 credits. These double majors force a student to take less electives and more major-intensive courses.
Honors
Honors programs usually do not increase credits, but they dictate which classes those pursuing a bachelor degree may take, and often require grading standards.
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