Why is a degree called a degree?

Answer 1

The origins of the word "bachelor" are obscure. In English it originally meant a knight who followed another knight's banner, or a young man who hoped to become a knight. This implies a kind of junior status among knights, and this may be the idea behind its later use for the lowest university degree (below master and doctor). (It was also used at one time for a junior member of a trade guild.)

In the academic sense, it is sometimes said to be derived from "bacca lauri," (laurel berry) and "baccalaureus" is established as the Latin form in university use, but this derivation is not correct.

(See Oxford English Dictionary and Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins).

Answer 2

OK, here we go! Why don't we just do away with all words related to Male and Female all together! The Bachelors degree comes from the Latin word baccalaureate which - in the academic world - refers to an academic degree conferred on some one (Male or Female) who has successfully completed an undergraduate program of study. If you would like to call that sexiest, then so be it.

Should we get rid of master's degrees as well, since it could be construed as racist to groups with a history of being enslaved?

Answer 3

The word "bachelor" comes originally from a Latin word "baccalarius," which is where the term "baccalaureate" comes from as well.

In Latin it originally meant a "vassal farmer." In the 1300s, a bachelor/baccalaureate came to mean a young knight or trainee soldier--because many young soldiers had been farmers and became soldiers looking for a different way of life. Over time, the meaning evolved some more, referring not just to a young solider but to any trainee, whether in a trade (guild) or at a university. (You can see also how the sense of "unmarried man" comes about, too--since young men are usually not married.) So the first degree that students earned at the university came to be called a "bachelor's degree" because it was the degree that young, novice students earned. (Later on, they could earn a "master's" degree once they became masters in their field, and later yet they could earn a "doctoral" degree; in Latin, "doctor" meant "highly educated.")

Answer 4

"Bachelor" meant a young man in training to be a knight, and eventually the meaning evolved to an unmarried man. Meanwhile, the training aspect of the meaning also moved from knighthood to college.

Answer 5

"Degree" comes from the Latin "de" (down) + "gradus" (step) and might stem from the Hebrew script ה רג ד "DaRGaH" (step, grade, rank). It has been used since the 1670's in English to denote a degree or "grade of crime." Variations of the term "grade," "gradual," "graduate" all have been applied to describe stages or a series of steps in a progress or course. The elementary or basic levels of education have typically been known as "grade school" with a "diploma" signifying a graduate who has completed a course of study.

The "Degree" is the next step or level of education which has typically been associated with higher learning offered at colleges and universities or trade schools relating to a particular occupation or specific field of study. The graduates are awarded with diplomas labeled for the level of accomplishment from an apprentice or Associate to a Bachelor, Master ("teacher"), and Doctorate (Professor). Many of the early Degrees originated in the Church for the study of theology and philosophy, and later spread to private institutions.

Answer 6

A bachelor's degree in most areas can require between 120 to 128 college credits particular to a specific program of study. This would be based on a college or university that operates on a regular two semester academic year which is the most common. For institutions that operate on a tri-semester or quarter-semester it would be quite different. That being said, the Bachelor's degree - in most cases - is designed as a four year program of study, provided the student is full-time and follows their chosen program of study as prescribed by the college or university, and also provided the individual does not require prerequisite or developmental coursework as a result of basic skills testing. The minimum credit load for a full-time student is no less than 12 credits per semester. However, to complete the degree within the four years, a credit load of approximately 15 to 18 credits is recommended. For individuals who work or who have other responsibilities that would prohibit them from attending full-time, completion of the degree may take twice as long. Still, some of this time can be cut down by attending summer sessions and/or interim sessions. In addition, the bachelors and associate degrees are referred to as undergraduate degrees while the masters and doctorate degrees referred to as graduate degrees.

Answer 7

The name bachelor - in the world of academia - comes from the English word bachelor meaning, "young apprentice."