What are Degree Requirements?
Degree Requirements are prescribed by an institution for completion of a program of study. Requirements may include a minimum number of hours, required GPA, prerequisite and elective courses within the specified major and/or minor areas of study.
4-year Baccalaureate Degree Requirements
A student generally must complete 120 semester units or credits to earn a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree. Requirements are described in detail requiring specific courses in Math, Sciences, English, History, Political Science, General Education Courses, and Upper Division Courses in the selected major. Undergraduate students may desire to complete the requirements for more than one major (i.e., graduate with a double major). This may mean more credit units applied toward the given majors in Upper Division Courses. Many schools have a residency requirement for the baccalaureate degree which specifies that 30 units (more or less) may need to be earned in residence at the campus granting the degree.
2-year Associates Degree Requirements
An associate's degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges and bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years and 60 semester units or credits. In the United States, an associate's degree is equivalent to the first two years of a four-year college or university degree. It is the lowest in the hierarchy of postsecondary academic degrees offered. The associate's degree is awarded to students who complete the degree requirements established by the institution granting it. The requirements usually include general education courses such as English composition, Algebra, social interaction, humanities, etc., as well as specific courses in the program of study. Some people refer to associate's degrees as "two-year" degrees because it is possible to obtain the degree in approximately that time frame.
Remedial Courses. Students generally admitted to undergraduate programs are expected to possess basic competence in the English language and mathematical computation. Students who require remediation are placed in remedial classes during their first term of enrollment and should demonstrate proficiency by the end of the first academic year. Such remedial courses are usually designated by the letter R or course numbers below 100. Credits earned in remedial courses cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements.