Credits Needed To Graduate College

Most colleges require about 120 credits to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. Credits come from general education, major courses and electives. The exact number may vary by program and school, so students should check their degree requirements.

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Read time 6 minutes

GCE Editorial Team

Published on Jul 24, 2025

The number of credits required to graduate from a college or university depends on many factors that are unique to the individual student. These factors include the school chosen, the degree program requirements and the number of credits eligible for transfer, if applicable.

Similarly, the length of time it takes to graduate from college is highly dependent on individual factors, such as whether you are a part-time or full-time student, which program requirements you must fulfill and whether you maintain continuous enrollment or take a leave of absence partway through your degree program.

At Grand Canyon University, we have a team of experienced university counselors who can provide personalized guidance tailored to your situation. Whether you’re considering earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, our university counselors can evaluate your situation and answer questions about what you can expect from your chosen degree program and your potential graduation date.

What Are Credits and How Do They Work?

The number of credits required for any degree program is the number of credit hours you must complete to graduate with that degree. Each class is assigned a certain number of credit hours, such as two, three or four. If a particular class is worth three credits, you will have earned three credits for successfully passing that class. Those credits will count toward your degree requirements.

Credits also indicate the workload for a class. For example, let’s say that you’re a communications student who is taking the class Principles of Public Relations. This class is worth four credits or credit hours. That means you can expect to be in class four hours per week.

The number of credit hours a class is associated with is not indicative of how much time you may spend working on assignments and reviewing material outside of class. For example, students can expect to spend more time working on coursework beyond the four hours of classes required for a four-credit class.

Some classes are split into two components. For example, let’s say you’re a nursing student and you sign up for the class Human Anatomy and Physiology I. This class comes with a lab component: Human Anatomy and Physiology I: Lab. The class itself may be assigned only three credits since the lab component is assigned one credit.

A Look at Requirements for Different Degrees

It’s important to understand the degree requirements for the program(s) you’re considering prior to enrollment. When you speak to a university counselor at GCU, they can help you identify all applicable graduation requirements.

How Many Credits Is a Bachelor’s Degree?

The number of credits required for a bachelor’s degree depends on the specific program you select. In general, however, you can expect a bachelor’s degree to require a minimum of 120 credits for completion at GCU. These also typically require more credits than a master’s degree. Most bachelor’s degrees within a university will have similar credit requirements, but there may be some differences.

For example, the Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance and Sport Psychology degree has standard credit hour requirements, whereas the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering degree requires more credits. Additional credit requirements are common for degrees that involve highly technical subject matter, such as engineering.

Some of your credits may be earned in didactic classes. For example, the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree requires the didactic class Social Work Ethics and Decision-Making. Didactic classes are traditional lecture courses.

Some degrees, such as science and engineering programs, will also require lab components for experiential instruction. Still, other programs may require field experience hours. The BSW degree, for example, requires field instruction hours and teaching degrees that lead to licensure require student teaching hours.

How Many Credits Is a Master’s Degree?

Typically, a master’s degree requires fewer credit hours than a bachelor’s degree. The specific number will vary depending on the program, but most are between 30-60 credits. Like some bachelor’s degrees, some master’s degrees can be earned through online or on-campus classes. For example, at GCU the Master of Business Administration (MBA) requires 46 credits without an emphasis, whereas the Master of Science in Information Technology only requires 34 credits. Both programs are offered online and are eight weeks long.

Some master’s degrees may additionally require field experience hours, which can be completed in person locally. For example, at GCU the Master of Arts in Autism Spectrum Disorders, which is designed for currently licensed teachers, requires a capstone course that includes practicum/field experience hours.

Common FAQs for Rising College Students

Attending college might seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. You can always direct any questions about admissions, enrollment, degree requirements and more to your university counselor at GCU. Our team is here to help you figure out your path to your future.

What degree should I get?

College is full of possibilities. GCU, in particular, offers a vast assortment of degree programs. You could major in anything from teaching theatre at the secondary level to broadcasting to cybersecurity management, and so many others.

First, develop a list of the possibilities by browsing the available degrees and bookmarking the ones that interest you. Then, for each degree, consider specific career paths you might take after graduating. Research those career possibilities, paying particular attention to the career requirements (including licensure), advancement opportunities and typical responsibilities.

What can I expect from full-time enrollment in college?

You may find your experience in college to be both enriching and exciting. As a full-time student, you’ll be busy attending classes and labs, completing assignments and preparing for exams. There are plenty of opportunities beyond the classroom, however.

College students are often encouraged to seek internship opportunities that align with their career interests. This can help you gain experience, add to your resume and build your professional network.

In addition, you can enjoy a better school/life balance by joining clubs and other activities of interest to you. GCU offers more than 100 clubs and other activities to our students.

What Is a credit transfer?

Colleges and universities tend to offer similar classes, such as ones that fulfill general education requirements. If you started a degree program but didn’t graduate, some of your previously earned credits may transfer to your degree at GCU. That means you will have already partially completed your graduation requirements.

The same is true of students who attended a community college and earned an associate’s degree. Some of those credits may transfer toward the completion of a baccalaureate degree.

How does a credit transfer work at GCU?

The College Transfer Center at GCU assists students who wish to transfer credits to GCU and complete their degree here. First, complete the Lopes Unofficial Credit Evaluation form. Then, submit your transcripts and talk to a GCU transfer specialist about your academics. Your transfer specialist will answer your questions and walk you through the process.

How else can I potentially graduate more quickly?

There is more than one way to accelerate your graduation timeline. In addition to transferring credits and maintaining full-time enrollment, you may be able to graduate more quickly if you use the Summer Accelerator Track at GCU. This track allows you to take courses year-round, continuing to work on fulfilling your degree requirements while many other students are taking the summer off.

Find a Degree Program That Suits Your Goals at GCU

GCU’s academic colleges, rooted in the Christian faith, offer a diverse range of degree programs at the baccalaureate and graduate levels in on-campus, online and evening modalities. We aim to make higher education accessible and flexible, with a focus on career-ready programs informed by industry needs and standards. Fill out the form on this page to request a consultation with a university counselor and learn more about our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

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Approved and verified accurate by the Assistant Vice President of GCU Marketing on June 14, 2025.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.