Key Takeaways:
- Students generally need to take 120 credits to graduate college with a bachelor’s degree.
- The 120 credits consist of general education classes, major-required courses, and electives, which includes any classes for a minor.
- Students should aim to take at least 30 credits a semester to graduate within four years.
- Associate’s degrees often only require 60 credits.
For most bachelor’s degrees, you generally need 120 credits to graduate. Full-time undergraduate students tend to take 15 credit hours per semester, or 30 per year, to earn their bachelor’s in four years. However, there are avenues to speed up your graduation time and even earn your master’s degree at the same time. Keep reading to learn just how many credits you need to graduate college.
How Many Credits are Needed to Graduate College With a Bachelor’s Degree?
In most cases, students have to earn at least 120 credits to graduate college with a bachelor’s degree. However, some degrees require 124 credits or more. Always double check with your college and advisor to make sure you’re on track to graduate with your desired degree. You don’t want to come up on graduation day and realize you’re four credits short!
However, the “120 credits” only tell part of the story. It’s a little more complicated than that, as you can’t simply take random classes, earn 120 credits, and leave with your degree.
What Else Do You Need to Graduate College?
Students have to take very specific classes to graduate college with a bachelor’s degree, as outlined by their college. Most schools require you to take general education courses, classes for your major, and electives. However, this isn’t a hard and fast rule – not every single school out there fits this mold!
Here’s a general overview of what most college students will have to complete to earn a bachelor’s degree.
General Education Classes
General education requirements, also known as GEs, are classes that help you broaden your horizons and education. They span everything from math to foreign language – even if you’re planning on majoring in English. GEs create a solid foundation for your education, teaching you critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Some students even find their new passion in these courses, switching their major after taking a class that inspired them.
GE requirements tend to come with some leeway. For example, if you’re required to take a course in History, you’re likely able to choose from a number of different history courses, including Ancient Rome, American History, and Ancient Philosophy. If you don’t want to take Ancient Philosophy, you don’t have to – you can choose from one of the other classes.
General education classes usually take up to 60 of your required 120 credits.
Major Requirements
And, of course, you’ll have to meet your major’s requirements. Colleges often state that undergraduates need to select their major by the end of their sophomore year or the start of their junior year, with some exceptions.
You may need to declare your area of study on your college application if you’re applying for a competitive program, such as theater, film, or engineering. If you’re ahead on your GEs and want to take some major-related subjects during your freshman or sophomore years, you might also need to declare your major to gain access to the courses. Some higher-level courses are only available to students within that major as seats are highly limited.
Major requirements vary depending on the subject. Some areas of studies have what’s known as “concentrations,” which is a specific focus within the major. For example, English majors could choose between Literature, Screenwriting, and Creative Writing for their concentration. Depending on the area of study and school, you might have to declare your concentration with your major.
In general, your major requirements will follow a set curriculum, including core classes, prerequisites, and advanced classes. As you get into the advanced courses, you tend to have more leeway in your options and can pursue topics that are of specific interest to you or more related to your concentration.
Your school dictates the number of credits and the exact classes you need. Many colleges and universities have their major programs’ requirements right on their websites. However, keep in mind that these requirements may be out of date. Always check with your department head or advisor to get an up-to-date checklist of required courses.
Electives
Even with your major and general education classes, it’s unlikely you’ll hit the required 120 credits. That’s where electives and even minors come in. You can take classes that interest you, even if they have little to nothing to do with your major. If you take enough courses in one area of study, you may even accumulate enough to earn a minor – something that could help your career search, too.
The number of elective credits you’ll need will depend on your area of study and that program’s requirements. If you finished your GEs and your required major curriculum, the rest of your classes can be electives.
If you are interested in pursuing a minor, be sure to talk to your college advisor. Minors have their own set curriculum you need to follow, and you’ll need to declare it, so you get credit for the accomplishment on your transcripts. Typically, a minor needs between 18 and 22 credits, but you could have to take up to 30.
How Many Credit Hours are Needed to Graduate in 4 Years?
If you’d like to earn your bachelor’s degree in four years, you’ll need to earn around 30 credit hours per year, or 15 per semester.
Here’s a table that breaks down what you should aim for to graduate within four years:
Year in College | Credit Hour Requirements Per Year |
Freshman | 0 – 30 |
Sophomore | 31 – 60 |
Junior | 61 – 90 |
Senior | 91 – 120 |
How To Graduate College In Less Than Four Years
It’s entirely possible to graduate in less than four years, which can save you thousands of dollars in tuition, housing, fees, and meal plans. Here are some strategies you can use:
- Take college level courses in high school. If your school offers them, you can take Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Credit classes in high school. If you score well enough on the AP test or complete the dual credit course with a high enough grade, you can put those credits towards your college degree. Earn enough credits and you could graduate a semester or two early!
- Sign up for summer or J-Term courses. Many colleges offer summer classes or even courses over winter break. These may be worth less than a fall or spring semester course, but they add up!
- Select more courses each semester. While most schools recommend sticking to 15 credits per semester, you might be able to take more. However, if you want to take 18 or more credits in a semester, you’ll likely need to get advanced permission. Keep in mind that the more credits you take, the more coursework you’ll have to complete. Take on too much, and you might struggle.
- Opt for an accelerated bachelor’s program. Some colleges have accelerated bachelor programs for select majors, such as Business or Nursing. These allow students to earn a degree in three years or less.
If you’re planning on trying to graduate college early, make sure to discuss it with your advisor. They’ll walk you through any paperwork or requirements you need to complete.
Reasons Students Graduate College Late
Even if you go into college with a plan to graduate within four years, certain circumstances can result in a late graduation. Some are unavoidable. Common reasons include:
- Not taking enough courses: While you only need 12 credits a semester to be considered a “full-time student,” you’d take five years to graduate if you only took 24 credits a year.
- Poor grades: If you score poorly in a course or fail, you’ll have to retake it in order to get credit. You often need a C- or higher to credit for the class.
- Missing semester-only classes: Some courses are only offered in the fall or the spring, not both. If you miss it, you’ll have to wait another year to take the class. If it’s a prerequisite for other classes, this mistake could put you severely behind.
- Unavoidable circumstances: Personal circumstances, including health issues, financial difficulties, and other situations, can impact your grades or cause you to skip a semester.
- Credits didn’t transfer: If you transferred schools, all of your credits might not transfer with you. You’ll need to make up these classes at your new school, adding time to your college experience.
- Changing major: Many students decide to change their major once they’re in college. If you change it too late, you might need to make up for lost time. However, extra semesters shouldn’t necessarily mean you stick with a major you hate.
- Study abroad: In some cases, study abroad programs can cause you to fall behind on required credits, especially if the program requires courses outside of your college’s degree requirements. Planning ahead and talking with your advisor can help you avoid this.
To lower your chances of graduating late, meet with your advisor regularly. They can provide advice on what classes to take when and what courses can help you catch up. Colleges often offer courses that get students who change their major up to speed quickly, which means you could still graduate on time, even if you change your area of study in your junior year.
How Many Credits Are Needed to Graduate With an Associate Degree?
Most students pursuing an associate’s degree will need at least 60 credits to graduate. There are some programs that require up to 90. Associate degrees are generally offered through community colleges, and full-time students can expect to graduate in two years if they take an average of 15 credits per semester.
Can You Earn Your Associate’s Before Your Bachelor’s?
Yes! Many students pursue an associate’s first at a 2-year school and then transfer for their bachelor’s. It can save you thousands on tuition, room and board, and other costs as community colleges are much less expensive compared to 4-year schools. It’s also a great avenue if you’re not sure what you want to major in yet.
In these cases, the 4-year college will usually put your earned credit towards your bachelor’s, as long as your 2-year school was accredited. In fact, 30 states currently guarantee your courses will transfer (but you have to have earned your associate’s degree).
The 4-year college will evaluate each of your classes, how it aligns to their current offerings, and whether the class should be considered a GE, major, or elective. If your college accepts all of your associate’s credits, you’ll only need about 60 credits to earn your bachelor’s and can graduate within two years if you attend full time. However, every school is different, and some make it easier to transfer credits than others.
Always reach out to the college to determine the exact process as soon as you can. You can adjust your approach to your associate’s if you know what the school will (and won’t) accept.
How Many Credits Are Needed to Graduate With a Master’s Degree?
Universities offer master’s degrees. The exact credit requirement depends on the school and program, but most require between 30 and 60 credits. It usually takes full-time graduate students around two years to complete their coursework.
Some universities offer accelerated bachelor’s to master’s programs, which combines the two degrees. Instead of taking the normal six years to earn both, participating students can finish the coursework in just five. Program availability and majors vary depending on the college.
Although the answer to the question, “How many credits are needed to graduate?” is usually 120, it’s much more nuanced than that. If you ever have any questions about major requirements, general education classes, or what you need to graduate, make sure to reach out to your advisor as soon as possible to avoid any graduation or degree problems. They can also help you select the best classes each semester
Want to learn more about majors for your bachelor’s degrees? Head over to our Major Search tool to start exploring subjects, career opportunities, schools, and more.