BACHELORS, in a university sense, are persons that have attained to the baccalaureate, or who have taken the first degree in the liberal arts and sciences.
The degree of bachelor was first introduced in the 13th century by Pope Gregory IX. but it remains still unknown in Italy. At Oxford, before a person is entitled to the degree of bachelor of arts, he must have studied there four years; three years more to become master of arts; and seven more to commence bachelor of divinity.—At Cambridge, to commence bachelor of arts, he must have been admitted near four years; and above three years more before he commence master; and seven more still to become bachelor of divinity. He may commence bachelor of law after having studied it six years.—At Paris, to pass bachelor in theology, a person must have studied two years in philosophy and three years in theology, and held two acts of examination in the Sorbonne.—Bachelors in the canon law are admitted after two years study in the same, and sustaining an act according to the forms. A bachelor of physic must have studied two years in medicine after having been four years master of arts in the university, and have stood an examination; after which he is invested with the fur, in order to be licensed.—In the university of Paris, before the foundation of divinity-professorships, those who had studied divinity six years were admitted to go through their course, whence they were called baccalariis cursores; and as there were two courses, the first employed in explaining the Bible during
Bachelors during three successive years, the second for explaining the master of the sentences for one year, those who were in their Bible-course were called baccalarii Biblii, and those arrived at the sentences baccalarii sententiarum. And, lastly, those who had gone through both were denominated baccalarii formati, or formed bachelors.
At present, formed bachelor denotes a person who has taken the degree regularly after the due course of study and exercises required by the statutes; by way of opposition to a current bachelor, who is admitted in the way of grace, or by diploma.
We also find mention of bachelors of the church, baccalarii ecclesie. The bishop with his canons and baccalarii, eum consilio et consensu omnium canonicorum suorum et baccalariorum.