Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate academic degree. The name bachelor was given to the degree because of the English word bachelor, meaning “young apprentice.”

A bachelor’s degree is the first degree a student can receive in his or her academic career, with the exception of the associate’s degree. The bachelor’s degree is sometimes awarded after earning an associate’s degree, though it is often the first degree that is earned. Whether or not an associate’s degree can be earned first depends upon the area of study. A master’s is generally the degree that can be earned following a bachelor’s degree, which can then be followed by a doctorate degree.

There are several types of bachelor’s degrees. To date, the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees are the most commonly awarded. Each of these programs of study generally requires completion of approximately 180 credits in areas of specialized study. The Bachelor of Science degree is geared specifically towards those who want to branch out into the world of science, while the Bachelor of Arts degree is given to those who complete coursework in the area of humanities and the arts. Some other popular bachelor’s degrees include the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree, the Bachelor of Economics (BE) degree, the Bachelor of Business degree, the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and the Bachelor of Medicine degree.

According to the 2007 U.S. Census Bureau survey, the average person holding a Bachelors degree earned $57,181 that year. That is 1.83% more than a High School graduate earned that year, which was $31,286.