How to Choose Between a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science
Many schools offer undergraduate psychology programs that can lead to either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. Choosing which of these degrees to pursue can be a difficult choice, especially if you don't know the specifics of each program. While courses vary between schools, the general qualities are the same:
A Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology is generally the result of a broad, liberal arts style of education. It prepares you for a future career in psychology, but it also emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach. You are required to take courses in other subjects and encouraged to apply the skills and knowledge learned in those courses to your work in psychology.
A Bachelor of Science degree usually has more strict course requirements within the field of psychology. Some amount of lab work and research is often required. Bachelor of Science programs also generally require additional courses in mathematics and the natural sciences.
Both types of degree prepare students for either graduate school or a future career. Because of its more rigorous focus within the discipline of psychology, though, the Bachelor of Science is generally considered to make the transition to graduate school easier. The emphasis on research gives you experience in areas essential to a graduate degree.
On the other hand, if you are interested in obtaining a graduate degree in a field other than psychology, you might find the Bachelor of Arts to be more useful. The interdisciplinary emphasis helps to establish a foundational framework that you will be able to draw on for the rest of your life.
Determining Your Individual Goals
The question of whether to pursue a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree basically boils down to your individual interests and goals. If you are unsure of what you want to do after college you will probably be better suited to a Bachelor of Arts, as it will give you more flexibility in your choices. A graduate degree in psychology is still an option, but you can also easily seek a graduate degree in another field. Similarly, you could find many employment opportunities in areas only tangentially related to psychology. A Bachelor of Arts might also be a good option if you simply do not like the natural sciences.
If, however, you know that you want to become a professional psychologist, you will gain more from a Bachelor of Science degree. While it is not absolutely necessary to undertake a graduate degree in psychology, students with a Bachelor of Science will be at an advantage when they enter into their graduate program.
Of course, not all students wish to enter graduate school. Many students opt to jump right into the workforce after obtaining their bachelor's degree. A small number of these students might find employment in an area within psychology and use that experience to develop a career within the field. They might eventually turn to graduate school in order to advance their psychology careers. In these cases, a Bachelor of Science degree will prove the most useful. Most students, however, will find jobs that are peripheral to psychology, if they are related at all. Just as a Bachelor of Arts will provide more flexibility in graduate school, it will also allow for greater mobility in the workplace.
If you are interested in a psychology degree, you should seriously consider these guidelines when choosing what type of degree to pursue. You should also closely examine your school's particular programs, as there is often variation between schools.
Article Resources:
Pacific Lutheran University
University of the District of Columbia