Once students graduate from high school, they are eligible to pursue a baccalaureate degree. Bachelor's-level degrees require a minimum of 120 credits (sometimes more, depending on the discipline or subject areas). Schools offer a variety of degree types within the undergraduate level.
The number of elective credits needed in each vary based on the size of the program major.
- Programs with smaller program majors will have room for more electives, or even the addition of a minor you might be interested in.
- Programs with larger program majors are more specialized like BA in Music or a BS in Electrical Engineering.
In a BA, instead of taking only courses that apply to a specific area of study, students will take a wide array of courses in liberal arts subjects. This allows the opportunity to earn a well-rounded education, giving them the flexibility to cater their education to the subjects they are passionate about.1
BA degrees do not require students to take as many science and math-related coursework in the general education courses, but require more writing and communication courses, as well as more courses like literature, social science courses or religion.
For example, students can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communications in order to potentially work in a wide variety of areas. Depending on their interests, students who study communications can use their degree to become a writer or work in public relations or human resources.
Other focus areas, such as English, music or digital design, can also be explored in a Bachelor of Arts program. These degrees can provide students with opportunities to incorporate what they are passionate about into their career.
GCU offers mostly Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees. While both degrees require a minimum of 120 credits (with some requiring more like engineering and nursing), the requirements within the degrees are different. To learn more about the different degrees that GCU has to offer, fill out the form on this page to get in contact with a university counselor.
The humanities and other liberal arts subjects offer considerable choice to future college students. No matter what your passion is or what your career goals are, it’s likely that you’ll find an appealing option. Some of the BA degree options include the following:
Now that you have a better understanding of BA degrees, you’re likely still wondering, What is a BS, exactly? Let’s take a look.
