TeamSo, you’ve been thinking about getting a college education, but how long does it take to get a bachelor’s degree? Maybe you’re not sure that you have enough time, and you just want to get to the graduation part. Unfortunately, you can’t just skip to the part where you throw your hat in the air and hang your diploma on your wall, but it won’t take a lot of time off your hands either. How long does it take to get a bachelor’s degree? We’ll get to that, let’s first see what this degree represents and how you can get it.
1. What is a bachelor’s degree?
This is a degree program where you can study a specific subject, whether it’s communications, economics, arts, or something else. Enrolling in bachelor’s programs is a common practice right after high school, but there are many students who enroll later, and it’s really never too late anyway. Some people earn their associate degree first or work for a while before college. Earning a bachelor’s degree can open up many doors since it equips you with the knowledge and skills that you need to pursue a career in your field of study. Types of bachelor’s degrees are determined by the area of study. So, you can choose a bachelor’s program depending on your career goals and interests.
2. What are the requirements?
You’ll need a high school diploma to enroll in this program, but that’s not all. There’s often a minimum GPA requirement, most often a 2.5, and you’ll probably need one more thing for admonitions. Many colleges require you to submit ACT, SAT, or other standardized test scores, as well as any letters of recommendation. Depending on the program you choose, there might be more requirements for addition, but let’s not forget graduation requirements either. Most of these programs end with a research project or capstone course and comprise 120 credits. Some will require you to participate in a practicum or internship, and some might even require a thesis.
3. How long does it take to get a bachelor’s degree?
If you’re studying in one of the Universities in the US, it will take you four years to get a bachelor’s degree. As long as you complete all the studies full-time, you’ll receive your diploma four years after you’ve enrolled in the program. When you study in the US, you can earn your associate’s degree after only two years and leave with that, or you can learn for two more years and earn a bachelor’s degree. Depending on the area of study that you choose, you’ll get a certain type of bachelor’s degree such as Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA).
Things work differently in the UK; where you can earn your degree in three years, which is one year less than in the US. Scotland is an exception though because you’ll need to study for four years there too.
4. What could slow you down?
Undertaking a placement year means that you’ll spend an academic year employed in the industry, not studying. This will delay your graduation date by a year. Some students can’t study full-time though, so they won’t be able to finish the program in four years that it usually takes. Instead, they’ll choose a part-time study, which most often doubles the time, meaning that they’ll graduate in six or eight years. Your graduation date could also be delayed if you, for whichever reason take time out, but it could also happen due to poor academic progress. You might need to retake some modules, which will slow you down. Those are pretty much all of the reasons you might not get your diploma in four years, but as long as you plan things right and do your best to learn, the four years will just fly by, and you’ll find yourself on your graduation.
5. What is the cost of a bachelor’s degree?
Tuition for an online bachelor’s degree varies from $38,496 to $60,593 according to U.S. News. These are the average tuitions, but the cost varies depending on many other factors too. For instance, public schools often offer discounts for their in-state students, while some offer the same options to all students regardless of their location. There are also many financial aid opportunities that help everyone get a higher education. They can be in form of work-study programs, grants, scholarships, and loans. Many universities and colleges now also offer online bachelor’s programs, and online learning helps you save money. Saving money is just one of the benefits of taking college courses online, so learn more about them to stay motivated!
