baccalaureate
noun
bac·ca·lau·re·ate ˌba-kə-ˈlȯr-ē-ət 
-ˈlär-
1
: the degree of bachelor conferred by universities and colleges
2
a
: a sermon to a graduating class
b
: the service at which this sermon is delivered
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web In 2009-10, 71% of baccalaureate degree earners were white. 
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 24 July 2022 She’s mentored new teachers, National Merit Scholarship semifinalists and international baccalaureate students completing research projects. Katie Anastas, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Apr. 2022 Separating students based on academic achievement, through gifted or international baccalaureate programs, has the opposite effect. New York Times, 1 Aug. 2022 Students earning baccalaureate degrees continued to increase (+0.7% or +10,600). Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 24 June 2022 It’s also one of a limited number of California community colleges that offers a four-year baccalaureate degree. San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2022 The college is a primarily liberal arts, residential, co-educational, baccalaureate degree-granting institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church. CBS News, 9 May 2022 Parents praise Inlet View for its caring teachers, warm community and international baccalaureate program, the first at an ASD elementary school. Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Apr. 2022 But the school is international baccalaureate certified, offers 29 A.P. courses and has American sign language, which excited Isabella. Sarah Mervosh, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2021 See More
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 24 July 2022 She’s mentored new teachers, National Merit Scholarship semifinalists and international baccalaureate students completing research projects. Katie Anastas, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Apr. 2022 Separating students based on academic achievement, through gifted or international baccalaureate programs, has the opposite effect. New York Times, 1 Aug. 2022 Students earning baccalaureate degrees continued to increase (+0.7% or +10,600). Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 24 June 2022 It’s also one of a limited number of California community colleges that offers a four-year baccalaureate degree. San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2022 The college is a primarily liberal arts, residential, co-educational, baccalaureate degree-granting institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church. CBS News, 9 May 2022 Parents praise Inlet View for its caring teachers, warm community and international baccalaureate program, the first at an ASD elementary school. Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Apr. 2022 But the school is international baccalaureate certified, offers 29 A.P. courses and has American sign language, which excited Isabella. Sarah Mervosh, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Medieval Latin baccalaureātus, respelling (perhaps influenced by bacca laurī "laurel berry") of bacheleriātus, from bachelarius "knight lacking retainers, young clerk, person with an initial university degree" + Latin -ātus -ate entry 2 — more at bachelor entry 1
First Known Use
circa 1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1