American University System

An American bachelors degree typically take 4 years (8 semesters) to complete. Students choose a main focus of study, called a major, but are also required to study a wide range of other subjects.

Universities may vary, but 125 credits (sometimes also called units, hours, or credit hours) must be completed to earn a bachelors degree. The majority of classes are worth 3 credits each. 40 of the 125 credits are in general subjects, 40 within the students major, and 45 credits are the students choice, called electives, and can be counted towards a minor or second major.

The first two years of education are typically when students take the general subjects, often called General Education Requirements or Essential Studies Requirements. All students, regardless of their major, must complete these requirements. During the last two years of education students take classes almost exclusively within their major.

Students typically do not need to decide their major until after the first or second year of study. If a student is unsure of what subject they want to major in they can take courses in various subjects during the first two years before making a decision. It is relatively easy for students to change their major if they do so within the first or second years. They do not need to restart their education from the beginning.

Once completed with all the course requirements set by the university students will earn their bachelors degree. Depending on the program this could be a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, or similar.