To graduate college, the number of credit hours required depends on the degree level and the institution, but typical benchmarks are as follows:
- Associate degree: Usually requires about 60 credit hours.
- Bachelor’s degree: Typically requires around 120 credit hours, though some programs or schools may require more, sometimes exceeding 140 credits, especially for fields like engineering or education. At least 45 of these credits are often required to be upper-division courses (advanced level)
- Master’s degree: Generally requires between 30 and 60 credit hours, depending on the program’s length and specialization
Credit hours represent the amount of time spent in class plus expected outside study, with one credit hour equating roughly to one hour of classroom instruction and two hours of independent work per week over a semester
. Additionally, graduation requirements usually include completing a mix of general education (core curriculum), major-specific courses, and sometimes electives, with some credits needing to be earned "in residence" at the institution awarding the degree
. In summary, most students aiming for a bachelor’s degree should plan on completing about 120 credit hours to graduate, which typically takes four years of full-time study. However, exact requirements can vary by school and program.
