The number of semester hours needed for a degree varies depending on the program of study and the institution offering it. In the United States, most bachelor's degrees require around 120 semester hours, while associate degrees typically require around 60 semester hours. Some master's degrees may require as few as 30 semester hours, while others may require up to 60 or more. Doctoral degrees typically require 90 or more semester hours beyond the bachelor's degree.
In general, a semester hour is equivalent to one hour of classroom instruction and two hours of out-of-class study per week for 15 weeks. Some institutions may use different definitions of a semester hour, so it is important to check with the specific institution to determine how many semester hours are required for a particular degree program.