What is an undergraduate degree?

An undergraduate degree is an informal term for a college program where students take undergraduate level courses. Undergraduate courses are classes taken prior to a graduate or professional degree program.

An undergraduate degree typically takes four years to complete. In some cases, students can complete a fast-track undergraduate program in as little as 3 years. An undergraduate degree, also known as a bachelor's degree, is a common minimum educational requirement for people who want to gain entry into certain career fields. For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that a bachelor's degree is standard for an accounting career.