Who Decided That a Bachelor’s Degree Takes 120 Credit Hours?

Many students and educators often wonder about the origin of the 120 credit hour requirement for a bachelor’s degree. This seemingly arbitrary number has significant implications for the duration of higher education and the processes involved in obtaining a degree. Let’s delve into the history and reasoning behind this requirement.

The Historical Context of Bachelor’s Degrees

Initially, there were no standardized requirements for a bachelor’s degree. The duration and structure of a bachelor’s program varied widely between institutions, with some countries offering shorter degrees such as the three-year business program in India. Historically, schools were free to set their own requirements, which included the awarding of thesis or honors degrees after an additional year of study.

The Emergence of Standardization

However, in the 19th century, there was a growing need to standardize and regulate higher education. Universities and colleges in the United States began to collaborate and establish accreditation agencies. These agencies created uniform requirements, including the 120 credit hour standard.

But it's important to note that not all schools followed this requirement. Some schools already had a 120-hour system in place, while others adapted it to comply with accreditation standards. For instance, crediting a student for 15 hours of class time over 15 weeks, assuming three classes per week, results in exactly 120 hours.

Timing and Credit Calculation

The 120 credit hour requirement was established around 125 years ago, aiming to standardize the educational experiences across institutions. This requirement was developed by Charles W. Eliot, a prominent figure in American education. Eliot was heavily influenced by the Carnegie unit, which was already the standard for secondary education.

A Carnegie unit defined a semester hour as one hour of class time per week for a 15-week semester. While this might seem random, it is actually based on practical considerations. College-level courses typically meet for at least 50 minutes three times a week over a 15-week semester. Considering the principle that students should spend two hours of study outside of class for every hour in class, a 15-semester hour course would effectively tie up about nine hours of a student's time each week.

Theoretical Study Hours and Total Credit

If a full-time student is enrolled in 15 semester hours per term and attends for 8 terms over an academic year, they would accumulate 120 hours, assuming no summer break. This calculation assumes the student is enrolled full-time and adheres to the standard curriculum structure.

However, some majors may require more hours than this average, so the 120-semester hour requirement is not a hard-and-fast standard in all cases. General education courses typically have more stable time requirements, while certain majors might demand additional hours. Summer sessions can extend the total time needed to complete a degree.

Creating an Accredited Institution

It's worth noting that without accreditation requirements, a school could theoretically set its own standards. For instance, one could start an unaccredited school and obtain a bachelor's degree with fewer hours, though the degree would not be recognized by most employers or educational institutions. Such a school might require only a nominal fee, like $100,000, to confer a degree.

Conclusion

The 120 credit hour requirement for a bachelor’s degree is a result of historical standardization efforts aimed at unifying educational experiences across institutions. While it is a common standard, it is not universally mandatory, as institutions with different histories and traditions might require varying credit hour totals.

Understanding the origins and purposes behind this requirement can provide valuable insights into the structure and evolution of higher education. Regardless of the number of credit hours required, the primary goal of a bachelor’s degree remains the same—to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their chosen careers.

Keywords: bachelor's degree, credit hours, accreditation