How Many Credits Are Needed for a Bachelor’s Degree?

A degree may open the door to a variety of opportunities and diverse career paths. The degree programs offered at AIU will not necessarily lead to the featured careers. This collection of articles is intended to help inform and guide you through the process of determining which level of degree and types of certifications align with your desired career path.

How many credits you are needed to earn a bachelor's degree? The answer to this question will vary by school. You can earn a bachelor’s degree with 180 quarter credit hours of applicable coursework at American InterContinental University (AIU); however, it’s important to understand that different higher education institutions may measure credits differently. AIU, for instance, measures credits in quarter hours while other schools may measure credits in semester hours. For example, 180 quarter hours is equivalent to l 120 semester hours. Additionally, the number of credits required to earn a degree may be different by degree program or school.

Is There a Way to Earn Credits Aside From Completing Classes?

AIU can help you get a head start on your bachelor’s degree credit requirements by offering credit for past school, work or military experience.

Students who have past credits may submit unofficial transcripts for evaluation prior to beginning the first term of study. In addition to college credit earned at accredited postsecondary institutions, the following can also be evaluated for academic credit equivalency at AIU:

• Experiential Learning
• Professional Training & Certifications
• Standardized Assessments/Examinations
  • College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) Examinations
  • DANTES Subject Standardized Testing (DSST) Examinations
  • Advanced Placement (AP) Examination
  • AIU Accelerate^™ Assessments
  • Other recognized examinations may also be evaluated at the discretion of the University

AIU may also accept military credit for comparable courses or electives, including:

• Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
• AU – ABC
• Military Training Course
• Service Colleges

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide what pacing best fits your goals and your life.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree?

It typically takes a full-time student at a traditional college four years to earn a bachelor’s degree; however, the reality is that many external factors can affect the time you have to dedicate to your education. Your own timeline will depend on whether you choose to take classes on a part-time or full-time basis, but the flexibility of AIU’s online learning platform is designed to allow the flexibility to find time for your studies.

What Kinds of Classes Are Offered in a Bachelor’s Degree Program?

The types of courses required for a Bachelor’s program may vary by university and program.

AIU offers career-focused specializations, meaning that most of your courses will be in your field of interest and are designed to be relevant to today’s employment landscape. With more concentrated courses you can work to develop a solid foundation of knowledge, and your knowledge base can be further enriched by fellow students and professors who have real-life experience in their field of study.

A bachelor’s degree program usually starts with a variety of general education courses to meet the degree requirements. However, of the 180 credits required to earn a bachelor’s degree at AIU, 58.5 will be in general education. These courses may include:

• University Studies or College readiness courses
• English Composition
• Humanities (such as History or Philosophy)
• Math
• Science
• Social Behaviors (such as Economics)
• Other General Education Coursework

AIU's general education courses are designed to help you build a strong basis of skills that can be helpful in the workplace, such as communications, technological competence, and math.

Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree From an Accredited Higher Learning Institution

American InterContinental University, AIU, is part of the American InterContinental University System, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Additionally, the business programs at American InterContinental University are Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredited.

Whatever path you decide to take, know AIU is here to help you earn a quality bachelor's degree and work toward achieving your educational goals.

American InterContinental University cannot guarantee employment or salary. For important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended these programs, go to www.aiuniv.edu/disclosures.
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