Driven by the competitive market for students, Yavapai Community College aims to be first in nation to Earn Higher Learning Commission Accreditation for 92-Credit B.A.—Recognition by other institutions remains uncertain if HLC approves
Colleges and universities typically require 120 credits for a B.A. degree, as this standard reflects the nation-wide amount of study time deemed necessary for comprehensive understanding in a subject area. This requirement includes both general education courses across various disciplines and focused coursework within a chosen major. The 120 credits are intended to ensure students graduate with adequate preparation for the workforce, balancing broad education with specialized knowledge in their field.
The 120-credit benchmark also facilitates easier transfer of credits between institutions and maintains consistency in academic expectations. While 120 credits is the standard minimum, some programs require over 140 credits to meet specific professional or academic demands. This 120-credit standard was established about 125 years ago to bring uniformity to college education in the United States.
A student typically needs 60 credit hours to obtain an Associate in Arts (AA) degree at Yavapai Community College. This is designed for transferring to a baccalaureate-granting institution.
According to the Community College’s October 30, 2024, news release, “Yavapai [Community] College is endeavoring to change the traditional dynamics of higher education with a new Optimized 92-credit Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Degree, designed to be completed within three years.” The 92 hour requirement will provide students “with the opportunity to create optimized bachelor’s degrees that are more affordable and reduce the completion time for students. This new opportunity will allow students to complete a degree in three years rather than four.”
The press release further states that “Yavapai Community] College has positioned itself to be the first community college in the country to offer a reduced credit baccalaureate degree. The College has undergone its curriculum process, and the Yavapai College District Governing Board unanimously approved the degree at its October meeting. The degree must go through the HLC approval process, and if all goes well, it will launch for the fall 2025 semester.”