What is a bachelor’s degree?

A bachelor’s degree, sometimes called a baccalaureate degree, is a college degree awarded after the completion of about 40 courses or 120 credit hours. A bachelor’s degree program usually takes four or five years of full-time study to complete, and degree candidates usually must declare a major about halfway through completion.

Upon graduation, a bachelor’s degree holder may choose to enter the workforce immediately or pursue a master’s degree in her major or related discipline, medical degree (MD), law degree (JD), or a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA).

Can I earn a bachelor’s degree online?

Although traditionally bachelor degrees could only be earned at traditional four-year colleges, online college is fast becoming a popular way to earn bachelor degrees.

The number of students taking online courses doubled to 3.9 million, outpacing the growth in traditional college settings by twelve percentage points between 2003 and 2007.  Employers are also increasingly appreciating the value of distance learning, which makes an online bachelor’s degree a great addition to a job candidate or current employee’s resume.

What types of online bachelor degrees are available?

Bachelor’s degrees are available in a wide variety of disciplines and may be completed part-time or full-time.

The most popular bachelor’s degrees are:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA): awarded to students in the humanities such as English, history, literature, and foreign languages. About half of the required coursework to earn a BA is in the student’s major while the other half is general and chosen by the student. BA holders may either work immediately after graduation or pursue graduate school.
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): awarded to students in visual or performance arts. Most of the coursework for a BFA is in the arts and often carried out in laboratories or studios. BFA holders usually look for careers in the arts upon graduation.
• Bachelor of Science (BS): awarded to students in technical, science-related disciplines such as biology, nursing, and psychology. Most coursework is in the student’s major. BS holders usually pursue careers after graduation, but many also attend professional schools, such as medical school.

Specialized bachelor’s degrees such as the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) are also available.

In what subjects are online bachelor’s degree available?

Bachelor’s degrees are available in many areas including business, marketing, education, health care, languages, and technology.

Some online bachelor’s degree programs available include:

• Accounting
• Biology
• Business Administration
• Communications
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• Economics
• Education and Teaching
• Engineering
• English
• Fashion Design
• Foreign Languages
• Graphic Design
• History
• Literature
• Marketing
• Nursing
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Religion
• Social Work
• Sociology
• Web Design

Why should I pursue an online bachelor’s degree?

Some of the benefits of earning an online bachelor’s degree include:

• Increased Earning Potential

Bachelor’s degree holders earn an average of $1 million more over a lifetime than high school graduates; starting salaries tend to be higher for those with bachelor degrees as well.

• Increased Job Mobility

Work promotions are often awarded not only based on performance but also based on educational qualifications; a bachelor’s degree can help you move up the ladder at your current job.

• Increased Skill Set and Knowledge

Even if you don’t plan to pursue a career in your online bachelor’s degree program, you can use it as an opportunity to gain skills and knowledge in areas that interest you.

• Flexibility of Online Bachelor’s Degree Program

If you’d like to earn a bachelor’s degree but still need to work full- or part-time, an online bachelor degree program can provide the flexibility in scheduling that you need.

• Cost of Online Bachelor’s Degree Program

Online bachelor’s degree programs are often less expensive than traditional courses. You can save money on travel, books, food, and lodging, and also take courses only when you are sure you can afford them.

Where can I find online bachelor’s degree programs of study?

Various institutions offer online bachelor’s degree programs including traditional four-year colleges and universities as well as exclusively within online colleges. Be sure to read course and degree program requirements carefully to be certain whether there is an on-campus component or not.

Moreover, some online bachelor’s degree programs may require internships, laboratory work, or other specialized requirements depending on the degree.

How do I choose a school to pursue an online bachelor’s degree?

As earning a bachelor’s degree will take around four years of full-time study, you must choose your school carefully. Some factors to consider include:

• School’s accreditation
• Curriculum, including available degree programs and courses
• Faculty
• Academic facilities and support
• Career services, job placement rates, and graduate school placement rates
• Tuition
• Financial aid available
• Opinions of former students

How can I prepare for an online bachelor’s degree program?

Preparation for a bachelor’s degree program can begin in high school. Students are encouraged to take college preparatory courses such as mathematics, English, science, history, and social studies.

Also, extracurricular and volunteer activities can not only enhance your application but also give you exposure to subjects you might eventually want to pursue as a career.

What is the application process for an online bachelor’s degree program like?

Online bachelor’s degree programs may require an application, application fee, high school and/or other college transcripts, an essay explaining why the applicant would like to pursue a bachelor degree from the institution, and scores from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or other college achievement tests. Be sure to check with each school for specific requirements.

Some institutions require students to take standard assessment tests in basic subject areas like English, mathematics, and foreign languages in order to place them in the appropriate classes for their skill levels.

Can I earn a bachelor’s degree if I’ve already have an associate degree?

A student who has already earned an associate degree may be able to transfer those credits into a bachelor’s degree program in order to lessen the time necessary for completion of a bachelor degree.