A baccalaureate degree is a four year degree earned at a college or university. To study for a baccalaureate degree, an individual must hold a high school diploma or equivalent such as a GED. Baccalaureate degrees also known as bachelors degrees may be either bachelor of science or bachelor of arts. These designations are based on the course curriculum--whether it is heavy in the liberal arts
. coursework or science type courses. The abbreviation for these degrees are BA and BS. Bachelors degrees can be earned in virtually any field of interest. People earn the degrees in areas like business, English, journalism, Spanish, Exercise and Sports Science, nursing and many other areas. Bachelors degrees in areas like chemistry, biology and public health are sometimes stepping stones to medical degrees and other areas like law and engineering. Generally, those with baccalaureate degrees earn considerably more over a lifetime than persons without degrees.
