What is the Difference Between a B.A. and a B.S.?
You have started looking at colleges, and the options there are out there for you. The problem is you do not have a clear understanding of some for the courses offered and what exactly they entail. Do not get confused as we shall try to tackle this together, and hopefully, by the end of this article, you will have a more unobstructed view of issues at hand. I know one of the main questions you might be having is what is B.A and B.S? How do they differ and how are they similar? And maybe finally at what point do they meet each other. We shall try our best to give answers to all these questions, which are, by the way, very valid.
First and foremost, it’s essential to understand that both B.A and B.S are degrees awarded for undergraduate programs, which take four years to complete and earn. Most of the higher learning institutions offer both programs and thus is easy for students to decide on which one they’d like to go to according to their interests and long term future goals.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A)
A Bachelor of Arts program is mostly about the theoretical knowledge of the subject one is undertaking. The career path that one takes when they pursue a B.A will be different from one who seeks a B.S. one holding a B.A will eventually be in a career in teaching or even research. Bachelor of Arts program usually has courses in the humanities such as music, communication, arts, and languages.
Remember, B.A also contains fields that have nothing to do with arts, such as computer science and even degrees in history. The career path one will take depends on the major one chooses. If they decide to pursue a major under a B.A or B.S degree, that is what will determine how their career pans out.
For example, a person who chooses to undertake psychology as a major under a B.A degree will most likely end up being in counseling. At the same time, those who pursue the major under B.S will have a career in research.
Bachelor of Art program tends to provide broader and deeper perspectives of the subjects one is undertaking. I drive one to understand the subject in-depth and may require more credits that lead to the student to pursue an additional study based on their interests.
Bachelor of Science (B.S)
Majors that students select under the B.S require them to be conversant with the technical and practical part of the subject they are undertaking as the subjects under B.S are offered in technical and scientific areas such as computer science, biochemistry, nursing, and even mathematics. B.S is mostly in sciences, but you can also find it in other fields such as business, architecture, and law.
Bachelor of Science, unlike B.A, is restrictive as it is specific to the studies that students should study in-depth; therefore, students luck the freedom to pursue a subject that aligns with their interests. Although it is rare, some major studies under the B.S umbrella can be very specialized that any student that wishes to pursue it must first have a degree before they can continue with the program.
Unlike the Bachelor of Arts, which you can pursue if you know the field you want to be in but are not sure of the exact career you want to pursue, a B.S degree is best for someone who knows exactly the career path they’d like to take. This option is made possible by the fact that B.S is specialized and thus gives the student time to entirely focus on the specific part of the field they want to pursue.
Due to the technical nature of the degree, that fact could give you an advantage over your counterpart.
What are some of the Differences between B.S and B.A?
B. A is more theoretical and dives deeper and in-depth into the subject matter while that of the B.S is more practical and technical. Just like the example above, a psychology student pursuing it under a B.S degree will most likely become a researcher. In contrast, one who seeks the same under the B.A degree will become a counselor.
Although both degrees are valuable, and both students have a fare short in the job market, B.A is more comprehensive and offers a broader spectrum compared to B.S, which is more focused on one point.
The significant difference between the two degrees, however, is the coursework that students are required to carry out in their respective majors to earn their degrees.
A student with a B.A degree will acquire skills such as better communication skills, and writing, while a B.S degree will earn them a better and practical outlook on issues.
How to Choose between B.A and B.S
First, you should know that it doesn’t matter which one you choose it won’t harm your career path. Next, it’s essential to identify the career path you’d like to take as this will make it clear to you which degree will best set you up for it; do you want to have a broader perspective or concentrate on one particular area. The most important thing, however, is to focus on your end goal.
The most vital thing is that you get an education. Both degrees are valued in the job market, and none is better than the other. It is also important to remember that both degrees allow students to continue with their education and earn a Master’s degree, and later if they so choose to continue, they can earn a Ph.D. in the field of their study. A small detail, however, might help you decide if you know where your interests lie. If you are more of a practical and technical person, then by now, you know what road to take if you are an individual who prefers to have a detailed understanding of a subject then follow that path. We must get there, there where our future is.