By DeVry University
May 13, 2023
10 min read
Bachelor's Degree
May 13, 2023
10 min read
A bachelor's degree is the highest level of undergraduate degree and can typically be completed in approximately four years, depending on the institution. Bachelor's degrees cover a particular discipline of your choosing and include coursework consisting of a mixture of required general education courses, program-specific courses and electives. In considering various career paths and the educational requirements for each, you may have been asking: What is a bachelor’s degree? We have the answers. On this page we’ll cover the different types of bachelor’s degrees, how a bachelor’s degree differs from other academic degrees, the benefits of a bachelor’s degree and the typical prerequisites for enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program.
Coursework for the BA degree tends to focus on critical thinking, communication skills and holistic learning. Numerous BA majors fall under the academic areas of humanities, social sciences and communications, journalism or media.
BS degree coursework often focuses on logic, reasoning and quantitative skills, with more courses in subjects related to math, science and technology. The academic areas of BS majors include natural sciences, healthcare, mathematics and technology and engineering.
To earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree, students learn about the history, skills, methodology and industries associated with the artistic field of their choice. BFA degree majors include visual and performing arts, film and writing.
When mapping out your academic plan, the type of bachelor’s degree you pursue— BA, BS or BFA—is often not as critical as you might think. What’s more important is that you choose the major that aligns with your personal and professional goals. If you’re struggling to find the right fit, speaking to a college admissions representative can be helpful here.
Depending on the role, earning a bachelor’s degree may help you pursue more opportunities in the workforce. If you look at postings for jobs today, you’ll see many list a bachelor’s degree as a minimum education requirement. Still, with this kind of degree on your resume, you may find you have a greater chance of catching a recruiter’s eye.
Positions requiring a bachelor’s degree typically pay more than those requiring only a high school education. Employment statistics confirm that individuals who’ve earned a bachelor’s degree have higher earning potential than those with only a high school diploma. Based on first quarter 2023 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), workers aged 25 and over with at least a bachelor’s degree had nearly double the median weekly earnings of those with only a high school diploma.
To further increase their earning and career advancement potential in a competitive job market, some students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree ultimately decide to pursue a master’s degree. Master’s degree program entrance requirements will vary depending on the school and the field of study, but one graduate school prerequisite is universal: the completion of a bachelor’s in a relevant subject.
Professional networking can be beneficial at any stage of your career path, helping you build relationships and resources.
Simple networking steps might begin with social media. On LinkedIn, you can set up a profile, join groups related to the industry you work in and continue to make connections.
Equipped with your new bachelor’s degree, you may find networking opportunities in professional or trade associations that focus on the sector or industry you’d like to work in. Taking advantage of virtual networking opportunities like webinars or attending trade shows and conferences could be a beneficial way to connect to others in that industry.
To support you in making the most of these opportunities both during school and after graduation, here at DeVry we offer a variety of benefits and online career resources, as well as an active Alumni Association offering networking opportunities and lifelong membership benefits to help keep you working toward success.
As detailed in economic data from the BLS, in February 2022 people with a bachelor’s degree or a higher academic degree had the lowest unemployment rate of 2.2%. This is significantly less than the 4.5% unemployment rate of those 25 and over with no college degree and only a high school diploma or GED.
GPA: Many programs will require you to have earned a minimum grade point average (GPA) in high school, such as a 2.5 or 3.0.
GED or high school diploma: You will have to show that you’ve completed a high school-level education, meaning you’ve graduated with a diploma, earned a GED (General Equivalency Diploma) or passed the HiSet (High School Equivalency Test), indicating that you have the same skills and knowledge as a high school graduate.
Standardized test scores: Tests like the SAT and ACT are typically taken by junior- or senior-year high school students and have long been a staple of the college application process. Schools set their minimum scores at different levels, depending on the level of selectivity in their admissions policies.
Recommendations and essays: Letters of recommendation from high school teachers or others who can speak to your positive qualities are sometimes required. The personal essay, in which you tell your story and indicate why you’re interested in enrolling in a particular program, has also become a common accompaniment to most college applications.
Business: Helping you to build a solid foundation in the fundamentals of business, our Bachelor’s Degree in Business can be customized for concentration in specific areas of business administration like accounting, human resource management, project management, marketing and more.
Computer Information Systems: For those who want to transform their love of technology into a career, the hands-on learning opportunities in our Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems explore topics like information security, database management and web application development.
Healthcare Administration: If a career in healthcare interests you, our Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration can help you prepare to pursue work in a variety of roles and settings in the broad and complex healthcare field, such as insurance, managed care, healthcare policy and information systems.
Accounting: Build a strong foundation in accounting and economics when you pursue our online Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Our experienced professors guide you through a curriculum that is intended to help you build skills that can be applied to finance, management, operations, forensic accounting or other similar industries.
Finance: Designed to help you acquire the skills needed to navigate today’s global economy, our Bachelor’s Degree with a Specialization in Finance explores problem solving, business administration, statistics and other elements of modern business management. Faculty with hands-on, real-world experience help you apply skills and concepts to the challenges faced by today’s business organizations.
Cyber Security: Mixing elements of information technology with software information systems, our Bachelor’s Degree Specialization in Cyber Security can help you acquire the skills to keep sensitive data safe from cybercriminals. Discover what it takes to defend networks, applications and systems against hackers’ most aggressive tactics, and to devise the security and contingency plans that help enterprises protect themselves.
Sales and Marketing: Our Bachelor’s Degree with a Specialization in Sales and Marketing covers skills and concepts that marketers and sales professionals must develop in today’s competitive and fast-paced economy. If you want to work in the consumer-facing side of modern business, develop more effective ways to reach and persuade consumers, measure their interests and track their behavior, our Sales and Marketing Specialization will help you expand your skill set and prepare to pursue a broad variety of roles in business.
Criminal Justice: If you’re interested in a career path that involves the study of the principles and practices of law enforcement, our Bachelor’s in Technical Management with a Specialization in Criminal Justice can help you take the first steps as you explore criminology, theory and practice of corrections, juvenile justice and criminal law and procedure.
We think so! The time and money spent earning your degree can be a wise investment in your future. Having a bachelor's degree on your resume might allow you to consider a wider range of job opportunities, since certain opportunities require at least this level of education.
Different people might have different opinions on whether or not earning a bachelor's degree is challenging or not. The experience of earning a bachelor's degree depends on a variety of factors, but students who study regularly and put themselves in a position to succeed often find earning a bachelor's degree to be very manageable.
Beyond your study habits, picking a major that genuinely interests you can help make a bachelor's degree program more enjoyable.
The cost of a bachelor's degree can vary based on the program and school you choose. Ask if you may qualify for scholarships or financial aid that can help you manage your tuition costs. You may also be able to reduce the number of courses needed by applying any qualifying transfer credits you’ve earned at previous institutions. For more information on the cost of a bachelor's degree at DeVry, visit our Tuition Assistance and Financial Aid page.
You can absolutely earn a bachelor's degree online. At DeVry, we've offered online education options for more than 20 years and provide you with all the resources you need to complete your bachelor's degree program. If you want to know more about what a bachelor's degree is and get a better sense of the benefits they provide, take some time to explore our online bachelor's degree programs.
How long it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree depends on several factors. Depending on the program you choose, any qualifying transfer credits you bring with you and whether you enroll full-time or part-time, it could take more or less time to earn your degree. Our Bachelor’s in Business Administration, for example, can be earned in as little as 2 years and 8 months.*
*Accelerated schedule is per 12-month period, does not include breaks and assumes year-round, full-time enrollment. Normal schedule is per 12-month period, does not include breaks and assumes two semesters of full-time enrollment.
Our bachelor’s degree programs typically require a minimum of 120 credit hours. You may, however, have qualifying credits that could be applied, based on completion of qualified courses at another academic institution. Or you could gain credit for qualifying previous military training or professional certifications.
1Program, course and extended classroom availability vary by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program.
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In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org. The University’s Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Arlington Campus: 1400 Crystal Dr., Ste. 120, Arlington, VA 22202. DeVry University is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, www.tn.gov/thec. Lisle Campus: 4225 Naperville Rd, Suite 400, Lisle, IL 60532. Unresolved complaints may be reported to the Illinois Board of Higher Education through the online complaint system https://complaints.ibhe.org/. View DeVry University’s complaint process https://www.devry.edu/compliance/student-complaint-procedure.html Program availability varies by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program.
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