How many credits (or classes) do you need to graduate from college?

Question

The college I am entering in fall has an optional December session, where you can take classes for credit. I don't know if I should take that or not... If I can't graduate early even if I do the December course (and possibly summer courses) it's stupid to take it and waste my vacation, right?

Answer 1

It can help to take a December session early in your college career, so that if you ever fail/drop a class, you won't have to worry about being "behind" later. Same goes for summer school.

But that's just if you want to finish on time (and thus save money).

Vacations can be mental and physical lifesavers from school, though! When you're young, it's important to enjoy time off - go explore, visit friends, travel, etc. Once you're in the working world, it's rare to get more than 2-3 weeks/year to do that.

Most universities on semester systems require 120 credit hours. That averages 15 per semester, if you go the traditional 2 semesters per year for four years.

At a college on a quarterly system, the total is 180 credit hours. Again, you would take 15 per quarter, but for 3 quarters/year (fall, winter, spring) to finish on time.

Answer 2

Colleges have different ways of computing the number of classes necessary for graduation. However they determine it, it is almost always the equivalent of 4 full courses per semester. In schools that use hours, that would be 4 4hour course a semester for 8 semesters, or 128 hours. Many schools merely call a full course as a credit, in which case you need 32 credits.
Of course each school has required courses, and required course in other disciplines than the major.

Answer 3

It all really depends on what your major is. I graduated early without taking the december session. I would take like 18 and 21 credit hours almost every semester. However i do know people that took the extra session and they still didn't finish early. It really depends on your major and work ethics. Hope you do good.

Answer 4

I would contact your school and ask this question, since it may depend based on the college/university. If you already know the major you plan to go into, I would call that department specifically and they can give you a more accurate number. Good luck, by the way I would suggest you go to bls.gov and find the occupational outlook handbook, look up the career(s) you are interested in to find out the salary you can expect to make, the training or degrees you will need, exactly what you will be doing, etc.

Answer 5

I'm a civil engineer i toke 160 credits to graduate,its not waste of time you can finish earlier maybe about a year, or you can take a few credits each semester so you can get better marks and enjoy each semester without become stressed with a lot of credits.

Answer 6

It takes 120 to graduate. Remember, the credits will last for 10 years (so you have time to take a smaller course load). Personally, I wouldn't take a summer class... once you graduate, it's the big world out there... what's the hurry??? :)

Answer 7

College should be about learning and expanding your horizons rather than just getting the credits to graduate and get the degree.

Employers sometimes ask for transcripts and they will see you went above and beyond to learn more than your college's average student. You should do it...and enjoy your December break at the same time.

Answer 8

The college that I attended requires 130 credits in order to earn a degree.

Answer 9

Some are in semester hours and others quarter hours and who know what else. When I graduated I had to have 120 hours and 4 in PE.

Answer 10

lol shouldnt you check with your course advisor or your college's website? Credit points are variable across different colleges.