Credit Requirements for College Degrees in Nevada

In Nevada, as in all US states, degree credit requirements follow the standard semester credit hour system defined by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and federal financial aid regulations.

Standard Minimums (Nevada System of Higher Education - NSHE)

• Bachelor's Degree: Minimum 120 semester credits (some programs: 124–128, e.g., Engineering, Nursing, Architecture).
• Associate Degree (AA, AS, AAS): Minimum 60 semester credits.
• Master's Degree: Typically 30–36 semester credits beyond bachelor's (varies by program).
• Doctoral Degree: Typically 60–90+ semester credits beyond bachelor's (includes dissertation).

Key Details

• General Education (Core): ~34–40 credits (English, Math, Science, Social Science, Humanities, Constitution) — mandated by NSHE for all bachelor's.
• Major Requirements: 30–60+ credits depending on discipline.
• Electives: Fill to reach 120 total.
• Upper Division: Minimum 40 credits at 300/400 level (NSHE policy).
• Residency: Typically 30+ credits earned at the degree-granting institution (UNR, UNLV, NSC, CSN, GBC, TMCC, WNC).

Earning Credits

Credits come from: Coursework (standard), Exams (AP, CLEP, DSST, IB, Challenge Exams — limits apply), Transfer (from accredited institutions), Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) (portfolio, military, certifications — varies by campus).

Always confirm with your specific institution and major advisor — program requirements (especially professional licensure majors) often exceed minimums.