The number of credits needed to graduate college depends primarily on the type of degree:
- Bachelor’s degree: Typically requires a minimum of 120 credits, which usually equates to about 40 courses over four years. Some programs or universities may require more, sometimes exceeding 130 or even 140 credits, especially for majors like education or engineering
- Associate degree: Usually requires at least 60 credits, often completed in about two years
- Master’s degree: Generally requires between 30 and 60 credits, depending on the program
Additionally, bachelor’s degree programs often have specific credit requirements such as:
- A certain number of credits in core/general education courses (often up to half of total credits).
- A set number of credits in the major field of study.
- A minimum number of credits earned "in residence" at the institution granting the degree (e.g., at least 45 upper-division credits or 30 institutional credits at some universities)
Credit hours are typically measured by the amount of weekly instruction plus expected outside work, with many courses being 3 or 4 credits each
. In summary, to graduate college with a bachelor's degree, you generally need to complete around 120 credits, though exact requirements vary by institution and program. Associate degrees require about 60 credits, and master's degrees require 30 to 60 credits. Always check the specific requirements of your college or university.
