A bachelor's degree program must require at least 21 credit hours of upper division courses in the major field and at least 39 credit hours of upper division work overall. A bachelor's degree program must require at least 120 credit hours, plus the Wellness Requirement, for a total of 122 credit hours. A student, with the approval of their ...Associate’s degrees require the completion of 60 credit hours and generally take two years to complete, while Bachelor degrees require the completion of 120 credit hours and generally take four years to complete. However, there are a number of variables that can increase or decrease the total time that it will take to finish your degree.Since most courses are typically worth three credits per class, you will need to successfully pass 40 classes to earn the bachelor’s degree. Completion of requirements for a bachelor’s degree takes about four years on average, assuming you take at least 15 semester hours for two semesters per year. College semesters are typically 15 weeks long.A bachelor's degree program typically takes 120 semester hours, spread over four years, to complete, but that time can vary depending on the program and the student, especially for those pursuing their bachelor’s degree online. At WGU, students are required to complete a minimum course load each term, but there is no maximum.2. Research your current university’s articulation agreements. Many four-year colleges also offer two-year associate degrees. If you’d like to continue on at your current university, speak to an admissions counselor to determine whether your college offers a pathway forward to help you turn your associate degree into a bachelor’s degree. However, of the 180 credits required to earn a bachelor’s degree at AIU, 58.5 will be in general education. These courses may include: AIU's general education courses are designed to help you build a strong basis of skills that can be helpful in the workplace, such as communications, technological competence, and math.Mar 6, 2015 · For grad school you need another 60 credit hours or 20 more courses mostly in your major. So my rough calculation then is 50 courses x 15 weeks x 3 hours for instruction and at least 2 times that for study and problem solving. Mar 6, 2015. #3. For instance, you must typically complete 120 credit hours for bachelor’s degree programs. In many cases, the program you attend to complete your degree will not only require you to complete a total number of credits but also dictate where those credits should come from, in terms of educational areas. How Many College Credits Equal a Bachelor ...1 Students may start this program as "Undeclared," but must select a specialization after earning 30 semester credit hours. 2 Students enrolled at a New Jersey location must take 55 semester credit hours of general education coursework. Fifteen semester credit hours of general education coursework may be applied to the Electives course area. The student must complete in-residence at least 60 semester hours of coursework counted toward the degree. (This requirement is waived for students in the Associate Degree in Nursing to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ADNBSN), a degree program for registered nurses who hold associate's degrees or diplomas in nursing.) Jun 12, 2023 · Most master’s degree programs require you to take 30 to 60 credit hours of coursework. Some programs involve as many as 72 credit hours. It’s possible to complete a 34-credit Master of Applied Data Science degree in as little as twelve months. A 72-credit Master of Business Administration (MBA), on the other hand, will likely take two to ... 1. Education – Earn a 4-year bachelor’s degree with a focus in accounting or business plus additional semester hours for a total of 150. 2. Exam – Pass all 4 parts of the Uniform CPA Examination. 3. Experience – Complete 1-2 years of relevant and verified accounting and accounting-related experience. In addition to specific course and scholastic average requirements, each candidate for a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign must earn at least 60 semester hours of Illinois credit, of which as least 21 hours must be 300- or 400-level courses at this campus (Student Code Art 3-801). Consult your admissions ...Bachelor's degrees in general are designed to be completed in four years provided the student takes the program as a full-time student. The credit hours in general can run from 124 to 128. However ...Contact hours: 0.067: 15 Contact Hours = 1 USC Credit : Spain: IE Universitas: ECTS: 0.5: 2 ECTS = 1 USC Credit : Spain: Universidad de Granada: Contact hours: 0.067: 15 Contact Hours = 1 USC Credit : Spain : University of Deusto : US Credits : 1 : 1 Credit = 1 USC Credit : Spain: University of Seville: Contact hours: 0.067: 15 Contact Hours ...Jun 16, 2023 · A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree is a four-year undergraduate degree offered by many universities and colleges in various subjects. A BS degree is often a requirement for some of the most in-demand and competitive jobs, and earning one can open doors to all sorts of careers and further study options. Oct 31, 2022 · Whether an online associate degree takes you more or less than 2 years to complete, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS) reports that obtaining this degree leads to higher earnings and lower unemployment. In 2021, individuals with associate degrees earned a median weekly salary of $963, compared to high school graduates who earned $809. How many credit hours are needed to complete a bachelors degree? Typically, a bachelors degree is 124 to 128 credits. ... (instead of 60 semester credit hours), and a bachelors degree is worth 180 ...Students with the right combination of approved aviation courses and total flight hours may qualify. For more details, please contact Academic Advising at (800) 424-9595 . Apply Now Request Info2. Research your current university’s articulation agreements. Many four-year colleges also offer two-year associate degrees. If you’d like to continue on at your current university, speak to an admissions counselor to determine whether your college offers a pathway forward to help you turn your associate degree into a bachelor’s degree.Jun 25, 2018 · A bachelor's degree typically requires approximately 120 credit hours of course work, with an average semester course load of 15 credit hours spread over four years. A major is the main declared field of study during the degree coursework. For example, you might choose to focus on mathematics, engineering, business or some other course of study. Jan 21, 2022 · The cost of a bachelor's degree in general studies differs depending on the type of institution (public vs. private or in-state vs. out-of-state schools) and a student's enrollment status (full-time vs. part-time learning). A bachelor's degree program must require at least 21 credit hours of upper division courses in the major field and at least 39 credit hours of upper division work overall. A bachelor's degree program must require at least 120 credit hours, plus the Wellness Requirement, for a total of 122 credit hours. A student, with the approval of their ...Higher education programs include associate, bachelor’s, masters, professional, and doctorate degrees. Depending on the degree — students can expect to complete these around 30 to 120 credit hours. Bachelor’s Degree Credit Hours. Bachelor’s degrees are generally 120 credits minimum and usually take four years to complete.Students with the right combination of approved aviation courses and total flight hours may qualify. For more details, please contact Academic Advising at (800) 424-9595 . Apply Now Request InfoTo be awarded a second bachelor’s degree, students must earn a minimum of thirty additional semester hours in the program. For students pursuing two degrees simultaneously, these thirty hours will be added to the minimum total of semester hours needed for the degree requiring the least number of hours.To be awarded a second bachelor’s degree, students must earn a minimum of thirty additional semester hours in the program. For students pursuing two degrees simultaneously, these thirty hours will be added to the minimum total of semester hours needed for the degree requiring the least number of hours.Typically, the more credit hours you have, the closer you are to earning a degree. It’s not quite that simple, though. Not only do you need to have at least 120 credit hours before you can graduate with a bachelor’s degree, but they must be earned from certain courses or departments. You may need around 45 general education credits, 45 ...Jun 15, 2023 · In fact, a number of students earn their associate degree at a lower-cost community college before transferring to a four-year college or university to finish their bachelor's. Remember that for in-state students, the average annual cost of attending a community college was $3,800 in 2021, compared to $10,740 for a public four-year school ... Bachelor’s degrees typically take between four and five years to complete or a minimum of 120 college credits. Majors can include a number of subjects, such as psychology, computer science, business, nursing, or English. Traditionally obtained in-person at a college campus, bachelor’s degrees have become increasingly easier to earn online as well.Sep 30, 2022 · In general, bachelor’s degree programs require that students complete 120 credits to graduate. Most students will actually take more than 120 credit hours because they may choose to pick up a second major or start a minor or certificate. This evens out to about 40 classes over the course of four years as a fulltime student. Student eligibility requirements: Earned at least 70 credit hours. Did not earn a bachelor’s degree from CSU or another four-year institution. Stopped-out (unenrolled) from a bachelor’s program for at least two consecutive semesters; summer terms do not apply. Stopped-out within the last 10 years. A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for graduation with a baccalaureate degree; at least 45 credit hours must be in upper-division courses. Some programs may require more than 120 credit hours and 45 upper-division credit hours for graduation. Associate degrees require a minimum of 60 credit hours. Students should check the program's ...A student who previously completed a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas, or from any other institution, must complete at least 30 hours of additional, not necessarily subsequent, course work in residence from the University of Arkansas. More than 30 hours of course work may be required to satisfy all university, college or ...Whether an online associate degree takes you more or less than 2 years to complete, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS) reports that obtaining this degree leads to higher earnings and lower unemployment. In 2021, individuals with associate degrees earned a median weekly salary of $963, compared to high school graduates who earned $809.Jun 15, 2023 · Doctoral program in business. The highest business degrees include Doctor of Business Administration degree (DBA) and a PhD in business. These programs may require around 60 credit hours. If you're a full-time student, it could take an average of four years to get your degree. If you're going part-time, it could take six to 10 years or longer. Each Bachelor's degree requires a total of 120 credit hours. 60 credits will come from the Associate degree. The remaining portion of the Bachelor's degree is 60 credits; for a total degree of 120 credits.Aug 2, 2023 · For instance, you must typically complete 120 credit hours for bachelor’s degree programs. In many cases, the program you attend to complete your degree will not only require you to complete a total number of credits but also dictate where those credits should come from, in terms of educational areas. How Many College Credits Equal a Bachelor ... Semester credits are worth 1.5 times more than quarter credits. Thus, a 120-credit-hour bachelor degree under the conventional system is equal to a 180-credit-hour degree under the quarter credit system. Approximate degree lengths: Associate 60 = 90; Bachelor's 120 = 180; Master's 36 = 54; Understand quarter credits before you buyThe cost of a bachelor's degree in general studies differs depending on the type of institution (public vs. private or in-state vs. out-of-state schools) and a student's enrollment status (full-time vs. part-time learning).Other types of bachelor’s degrees include the bachelor of fine arts (BFA), and bachelor of architecture (BArch). Because bachelor’s degrees train students to enter a specific field, many professional careers require them. Earning a bachelor’s degree can open the door to many job opportunities and increase your potential income.Jun 15, 2023 · In fact, a number of students earn their associate degree at a lower-cost community college before transferring to a four-year college or university to finish their bachelor's. Remember that for in-state students, the average annual cost of attending a community college was $3,800 in 2021, compared to $10,740 for a public four-year school ... Nov 11, 2022 · How many credit hours does it take to obtain a Bachelor's degree In Applied Sciences Business Management And is it normal to pay 12000 a year? First, to significantly cut the cost of a bachelors ... A bachelor's degree program must require at least 21 credit hours of upper division courses in the major field and at least 39 credit hours of upper division work overall. A bachelor's degree program must require at least 120 credit hours, plus the Wellness Requirement, for a total of 122 credit hours. A student, with the approval of their ...All states require CPA candidates to complete 150 semester hours of college coursework to be licensed, which is 30 hours more than the usual 4-year bachelor’s degree. Many schools offer a 5-year combined bachelor’s and master’s degree to meet the 150-hour requirement, but a master’s degree is not required.A bachelor's degree is generally around 120 credit hours, but some programs require more, experts note. Ultimately, that may mean more credit hours packed into each semester for students who...Contact hours: 0.067: 15 Contact Hours = 1 USC Credit : Spain: IE Universitas: ECTS: 0.5: 2 ECTS = 1 USC Credit : Spain: Universidad de Granada: Contact hours: 0.067: 15 Contact Hours = 1 USC Credit : Spain : University of Deusto : US Credits : 1 : 1 Credit = 1 USC Credit : Spain: University of Seville: Contact hours: 0.067: 15 Contact Hours ... Other types of bachelor’s degrees include the bachelor of fine arts (BFA), and bachelor of architecture (BArch). Because bachelor’s degrees train students to enter a specific field, many professional careers require them. Earning a bachelor’s degree can open the door to many job opportunities and increase your potential income.A bachelor's degree is the basic requirement at virtually all colleges and universities in order to become a teacher. The number of credit hours depends upon the requirements of the specific college or university, but most institutions require 120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours. Registered nurse (RN) requirements for licensure vary among states. Most jurisdictions require each candidate to earn at least an associate or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited university. While both degrees meet RN requirements for education, each offers distinct advantages.The amount of credits needed to graduate from college varies by degree level. You will typically need to earn 60 credits for an associate degree, 120 credits for a bachelor's degree and 30-60 credits for a master's degree. Ashley Wallis. Dec 20, 2022.There are many ways to finance your degree, including financial aid, grants, scholarships, and loans. 5. Attend BSN classes. Complete the required courses and obtain clinical hours to get hands-on experience. Learn how to work independently with your own patients. 6. Graduate with a BSN. Congrats on earning your degree!Jun 25, 2018 · A bachelor's degree typically requires approximately 120 credit hours of course work, with an average semester course load of 15 credit hours spread over four years. A major is the main declared field of study during the degree coursework. For example, you might choose to focus on mathematics, engineering, business or some other course of study. 54 hours; Unspecified electives: additional hours necessary to achieve a minimum of 120 total credit hours 3...2-6 hours. 1 Bachelor of Arts Foreign Language Requirement: The Bachelor of Arts requires 12 hours of one foreign language (classical or modern) in addition to items A and B above. Consult your specific degree program for additional ...3620.1 General Policy. To graduate with a bachelor's degree from Wright State University, all students must fulfill the following requirements: Credit Hours -A minimum of 120 semester hours must be earned in approved courses. Grade Point Average -A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 must be earned for courses taken at Wright State University.Each Bachelor's degree requires a total of 120 credit hours. 60 credits will come from the Associate degree. The remaining portion of the Bachelor's degree is 60 credits; for a total degree of 120 credits.Semester credits are worth 1.5 times more than quarter credits. Thus, a 120-credit-hour bachelor degree under the conventional system is equal to a 180-credit-hour degree under the quarter credit system. Approximate degree lengths: Associate 60 = 90; Bachelor's 120 = 180; Master's 36 = 54; Understand quarter credits before you buyCredit requirements for master’s degrees. Plan A degrees: 10 master’s thesis credits (xxxx8777) and a minimum of 20 graduate-level course credits. Plan B degrees: a minimum of 30 graduate-level course credits, including Plan B Project credits as defined by each program and approved by the college. Plan C degrees: a minimum of 30 graduate ... Doctoral program in business. The highest business degrees include Doctor of Business Administration degree (DBA) and a PhD in business. These programs may require around 60 credit hours. If you're a full-time student, it could take an average of four years to get your degree. If you're going part-time, it could take six to 10 years or longer.Students with the right combination of approved aviation courses and total flight hours may qualify. For more details, please contact Academic Advising at (800) 424-9595 . Apply Now Request InfoJun 25, 2018 · A bachelor's degree typically requires approximately 120 credit hours of course work, with an average semester course load of 15 credit hours spread over four years. A major is the main declared field of study during the degree coursework. For example, you might choose to focus on mathematics, engineering, business or some other course of study. The table below includes information about K-12 teaching requirements for first-time licensure. Many states differ in specifics, but all states require licensed teachers to earn at least a bachelor's degree. Some states mandate the type of degree a teacher holds, specific coursework, and the amount of practical experience completed.Bachelor’s degrees typically take between four and five years to complete or a minimum of 120 college credits. Majors can include a number of subjects, such as psychology, computer science, business, nursing, or English. Traditionally obtained in-person at a college campus, bachelor’s degrees have become increasingly easier to earn online as well.Aug 15, 2023 · College degrees generally take between four and five years to complete when you're enrolled full-time, but the length of time it takes you to graduate will depend on the number of courses you take each year. Learn more about how to get a bachelor's degree and faster ways to graduate. Getting two bachelor’s degrees can be a great option for a lot of reasons. First, you get the classes and credit hours you need all at one time and you don’t have to pay graduate school tuition (Bonus! You qualify for a ton of scholarships as an undergrad). Second, you can take a lot of courses in another field that complements accounting ...Sep 22, 2022 · The exact number of classes may vary by major and school, but typically students can expect to log upward of 30 credit hours. By contrast, minors generally require 18 credit hours or more ... The table below includes information about K-12 teaching requirements for first-time licensure. Many states differ in specifics, but all states require licensed teachers to earn at least a bachelor's degree. Some states mandate the type of degree a teacher holds, specific coursework, and the amount of practical experience completed.1. Education – Earn a 4-year bachelor’s degree with a focus in accounting or business plus additional semester hours for a total of 150. 2. Exam – Pass all 4 parts of the Uniform CPA Examination. 3. Experience – Complete 1-2 years of relevant and verified accounting and accounting-related experience.Contact hours: 0.067: 15 Contact Hours = 1 USC Credit : Spain: IE Universitas: ECTS: 0.5: 2 ECTS = 1 USC Credit : Spain: Universidad de Granada: Contact hours: 0.067: 15 Contact Hours = 1 USC Credit : Spain : University of Deusto : US Credits : 1 : 1 Credit = 1 USC Credit : Spain: University of Seville: Contact hours: 0.067: 15 Contact Hours ...May 23, 2023 · Semester credits are worth 1.5 times more than quarter credits. Thus, a 120-credit-hour bachelor degree under the conventional system is equal to a 180-credit-hour degree under the quarter credit system. Approximate degree lengths: Associate 60 = 90; Bachelor's 120 = 180; Master's 36 = 54; Understand quarter credits before you buy All states require CPA candidates to complete 150 semester hours of college coursework to be licensed, which is 30 hours more than the usual 4-year bachelor’s degree. Many schools offer a 5-year combined bachelor’s and master’s degree to meet the 150-hour requirement, but a master’s degree is not required.Student eligibility requirements: Earned at least 70 credit hours. Did not earn a bachelor’s degree from CSU or another four-year institution. Stopped-out (unenrolled) from a bachelor’s program for at least two consecutive semesters; summer terms do not apply. Stopped-out within the last 10 years. The demand for a large quantity of people to perform many routine auditing tasks is rapidly diminishing. Back to top . How to Meet the 150-Hour Requirement. Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's and master's degree programs in accounting. To obtain 150 semester hours of education, students do not necessarily have to get a master's degree.54 hours; Unspecified electives: additional hours necessary to achieve a minimum of 120 total credit hours 3...2-6 hours. 1 Bachelor of Arts Foreign Language Requirement: The Bachelor of Arts requires 12 hours of one foreign language (classical or modern) in addition to items A and B above. Consult your specific degree program for additional ... Accountants also offer taxation and compliance expertise. Required Education: Most accountants need at least a bachelor's degree. Accountants with CPA licensure often hold master's degrees in accounting. Job Outlook (2021-31): +6%. 2021 Median Annual Salary: $77,250.Whether an online associate degree takes you more or less than 2 years to complete, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS) reports that obtaining this degree leads to higher earnings and lower unemployment. In 2021, individuals with associate degrees earned a median weekly salary of $963, compared to high school graduates who earned $809.Higher education programs include associate, bachelor’s, masters, professional, and doctorate degrees. Depending on the degree — students can expect to complete these around 30 to 120 credit hours. Bachelor’s Degree Credit Hours. Bachelor’s degrees are generally 120 credits minimum and usually take four years to complete.Students with the right combination of approved aviation courses and total flight hours may qualify. For more details, please contact Academic Advising at (800) 424-9595 . Apply Now Request InfoThe average cost across all private and public colleges is $594 per credit hour. Assuming a 15 credit hour semester, an average semester costs $8,910 just for the classes. For the 120 hours it takes to complete a bachelor’s degree, it averages $71,280. For those who have student loans, this does not include interest. Most bachelor’s degrees in psychology require between 120-130 credit hours, with 30-36 of those credits being courses in psychology. Range for Master’s Degree in Psychology A master’s degree in psychology allows practitioners in some states to secure their license and work in private practice. Finish In Four. The general requirements for an undergraduate baccalaureate degree from The Ohio State University are governed by section 3335-9-30 of the University Faculty Rules. Graduation requirements are specified by the college or school that oversees the degree being pursued. Most baccalaureate degrees require 121 semester credit hours ...University-Wide Requirements. To complete a baccalaureate degree, a student must (1) satisfactorily complete the degree curriculum requirements, (2) make an overall C average (2.00 GPA) on all hours scheduled and rescheduled at all institutions attended, including Mississippi State University, (3) make a C average (2.00 GPA) on all hours ...Associate’s degrees require the completion of 60 credit hours and generally take two years to complete, while Bachelor degrees require the completion of 120 credit hours and generally take four years to complete. However, there are a number of variables that can increase or decrease the total time that it will take to finish your degree.There are many ways to finance your degree, including financial aid, grants, scholarships, and loans. 5. Attend BSN classes. Complete the required courses and obtain clinical hours to get hands-on experience. Learn how to work independently with your own patients. 6. Graduate with a BSN. Congrats on earning your degree!Degree programs may provide academic, pre-professional, or professional experiences and preparation. Majors lead to a bachelor’s degree. Each student must select a major within a bachelor’s degree type. If options are offered within a major, a student selects one. The student may also elect to enroll in a minor to supplement the major. Jun 25, 2018 · A bachelor's degree typically requires approximately 120 credit hours of course work, with an average semester course load of 15 credit hours spread over four years. A major is the main declared field of study during the degree coursework. For example, you might choose to focus on mathematics, engineering, business or some other course of study. 2 days ago · All states require CPA candidates to complete 150 semester hours of college coursework to be licensed, which is 30 hours more than the usual 4-year bachelor’s degree. Many schools offer a 5-year combined bachelor’s and master’s degree to meet the 150-hour requirement, but a master’s degree is not required. Mar 6, 2015 · For grad school you need another 60 credit hours or 20 more courses mostly in your major. So my rough calculation then is 50 courses x 15 weeks x 3 hours for instruction and at least 2 times that for study and problem solving. Mar 6, 2015. #3. A bachelor's degree is generally around 120 credit hours, but some programs require more, experts note. Ultimately, that may mean more credit hours packed into each semester for students who...An associate’s degree is a two-year degree earned from a post-secondary institution like a community college or vocational college. They typically cost half as much (or less) than a bachelor’s degree. An associate degree can be a stand-alone or count towards the first two years of a bachelor’s degree if you transfer to a 4-year college.Many Bachelor of Arts degrees require at least 6 additional semester credit hours of foreign language at the 200-level. Students should consult with an academic advisor about specific language requirements for their degree program.Semester credits are worth 1.5 times more than quarter credits. Thus, a 120-credit-hour bachelor degree under the conventional system is equal to a 180-credit-hour degree under the quarter credit system. Approximate degree lengths: Associate 60 = 90; Bachelor's 120 = 180; Master's 36 = 54; Understand quarter credits before you buyJan 21, 2022 · The cost of a bachelor's degree in general studies differs depending on the type of institution (public vs. private or in-state vs. out-of-state schools) and a student's enrollment status (full-time vs. part-time learning). 54 hours; Unspecified electives: additional hours necessary to achieve a minimum of 120 total credit hours 3...2-6 hours. 1 Bachelor of Arts Foreign Language Requirement: The Bachelor of Arts requires 12 hours of one foreign language (classical or modern) in addition to items A and B above. Consult your specific degree program for additional ...Associate’s degrees require the completion of 60 credit hours and generally take two years to complete, while Bachelor degrees require the completion of 120 credit hours and generally take four years to complete. However, there are a number of variables that can increase or decrease the total time that it will take to finish your degree. Step 1: Get prerequisites and health care experience. To become a PA, you must graduate from an ARC-PA accredited entry-level PA program. Most entry-level PA programs require applicants to have an undergraduate degree. However, some PA programs offer a pre-professional phase that is open to recent high school graduates and students with some ...Jul 19, 2023 · Accountants also offer taxation and compliance expertise. Required Education: Most accountants need at least a bachelor's degree. Accountants with CPA licensure often hold master's degrees in accounting. Job Outlook (2021-31): +6%. 2021 Median Annual Salary: $77,250. Semester credits are worth 1.5 times more than quarter credits. Thus, a 120-credit-hour bachelor degree under the conventional system is equal to a 180-credit-hour degree under the quarter credit system. Approximate degree lengths: Associate 60 = 90; Bachelor's 120 = 180; Master's 36 = 54; Understand quarter credits before you buy11 Three Years College. 3 years of college. 90-119 semester hours or 135-179 quarter hours completed. 12 Four Years College. Four years of college. 120 or more semester hours or 180 or more quarter hours or 180 or more quarter hours completed - no baccalaureate (Bachelor’s) degree. 13 Bachelor’s Degree.Step 1: Get prerequisites and health care experience. To become a PA, you must graduate from an ARC-PA accredited entry-level PA program. Most entry-level PA programs require applicants to have an undergraduate degree. However, some PA programs offer a pre-professional phase that is open to recent high school graduates and students with some ...A Bachelor of Science (BS) degree is a four-year undergraduate degree offered by many universities and colleges in various subjects. A BS degree is often a requirement for some of the most in-demand and competitive jobs, and earning one can open doors to all sorts of careers and further study options..