Can You Do a Bachelors of Science Degree With a Bachelors of Arts Degree

What Is the Departure Betwixt a BA and a BS Degree?

Written by Coursera • Updated on April 15, 2022

Learn more about the deviation between these ii available's degrees and how to cull the best caste for your goals.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BS) are undergraduate degrees you can earn to assistance elevate your career and develop relevant job skills. Although programs vary depending on the school, BS degrees typically accept more coursework in subjects such as science, math, and technology, while BA degrees tend to focus more heavily on the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

With a bachelor'due south degree, you lot may qualify for more roles and see other benefits, such as higher salaries, but it is a significant investment. Agreement the different types of programs is important in making an informed decision. In this article, we'll go over the differences between the two degrees, and how you can determine which is best for you lot.

BA vs. BS degrees: What's the difference?

The main difference between the BA and the BS is the subject thing. BA caste coursework tends to focus on critical thinking, communication, and holistic learning, whereas BS degree coursework tends to focus on logic, reasoning, and quantitative skills. Otherwise, the two are not that different. In most cases, you'll choose a major (the primary subject focus of your degree), which will make up one's mind your degree type.

Yet, in that location are some instances where you may have a choice of degree, such as a BA or BS in Psychology. In that example, the focus of your program, and to some extent the coursework yous take, volition depend on the degree you choose to pursue. Psychology majors may choose to pursue a BA if they prefer social work or counseling, or a BS if they relish lab research.

Typically, achieving a bachelor's degree is more important than the type of degree yous earn. By 2030, 70 per centum of job openings could crave at to the lowest degree a bachelor'due south degree [one].

BA vs. BS degrees: Which is the right fit for me?

When determining whether to get a BA or a BS caste, consider the types of careers you are interested in pursuing. Knowing which paths marshal with sure majors volition be helpful in choosing the right programme for yous. Here are four areas to consider when making your decision:

1. Majors

Choosing a major tin can be an exciting step toward your future career. When making your determination, accept time to evaluate your interests and values, equally well equally potential jobs. Some majors are linked to specific career outcomes, such as a computer science degree, while others arrive possible to pursue several unlike types of piece of work, such every bit a humanities degree. For example, a biology major can become a science writer or instructor, while an education major interested in sustainability can work for a conservation organization or pursue a graduate caste in wildlife conservation.

Questions to ask yourself when choosing a major:

• What kind of career industry or field am I interested in?

• What skills or work experiences practise I have that align with a particular major?

Though not exhaustive, the examples below may help you gain clarity about majors and their potential career fields:

Common BA majors

Humanities (literature, music, religion, philosophy, history, foreign languages)

• Business organization (including museums and institutions)

• Didactics

• Media

• Visual and performing arts

Social sciences (sociology, anthropology, geography, political science, legal studies)

• Non-profit organizations

• International development

• Government

• Social services

• Law

Communications, journalism, or media

• Business organization (advertising, sales/marketing, human resources)

• Journalism or media

• Research

Mutual BS majors

Natural sciences (biology, environmental science, chemical science, physics)

• Health intendance (medicine, nursing)

• Natural resource and sustainability management

• Agriculture or food and beverage

• Pharmaceuticals

• Research and evolution

• Chemic manufacturing

Mathematics and engineering (mathematics, statistics, information technology, reckoner science)

• Engineering

• It

• Data scientific discipline

Engineering science (chemic, civil, electrical, mechanical)

• Engineering

• Manufacturing

• Aviation or aerospace

• Technology

Common BA or BS majors

These fields frequently have an selection for a BA or a BS with slightly dissimilar curricula:

Psychology

• Social work

• Business organisation (marketing and sales)

• Research

Teaching

• Master or secondary educational activity

• Not-turn a profit organizations

Business and economics

• Banking or finance

• Business organisation (from corporations to first-ups)

• Governments or retrieve tanks

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2. Types of jobs

Your choice of major can lead to many different jobs or industires, depending on what you report. It may be helpful to expect up job listings in your chosen field, or search people in similar jobs on LinkedIn to understand the types of degrees and work experiences that led them to that role. For instance, if y'all're interested in working in finance, looking at job postings can point the type of caste typically required.

3. Task industries

It may be helpful to remember of industries that excite yous. If yous enjoy existence creative and communicating with others, so you might seek out a BA to help strengthen those skills. Nonetheless, if you are drawn to more than analytical and methodical piece of work, y'all may choose a BS to refine that training.

Questions to ask yourself when choosing an industry:

• What blazon of degrees and majors do industry leaders earn?

• What type of specialization does the industry require for [insert job here]?

• Do I need a bachelor's caste to advance in the industry?

• How does my groundwork and interests align with the industry?

The critical thinking and technical skills you can learn during a bachelor'south degree programme are often transferable, building a potent foundation for many dissimilar industries. However, it is important to know that if you're interested in irresolute careers in a significant way (such as from nursing to finance), you may need additional training or education in the future.

4. Curricula

Each school's coursework is dissimilar. BA degrees tend to have a liberal arts approach, requiring fewer core or major credits and assuasive more than flexibility to customize your education to your particular interests. In that instance, it may be easier to double major or minor in another subject. BS degrees are typically more structured, strictly focused on the major and helping you main the technical skills you lot'll need for your field.

If y'all know you want to pursue an advanced caste in the futurity, that can also help determine what you choose to report at present. For example, if you would like to earn a Master's in Public Wellness (MPH) ane day, then opting for a BS in Public Health or a BS in the natural sciences or social sciences might be a expert selection.

Questions to inquire yourself when choosing a program:

• How will this plan gear up me for my career goals?

• What kind of courses are taught in this program?

• Is in that location opportunity for team projects, mentorship, or career support?

Consider an online degree

Consider an online bachelor'southward caste as a way to balance a role-time job or other responsibilities as you pursue your studies. An online degree can be just equally valuable and respected as their on-campus counterparts. Learn more about bachelor's degrees from top universities bachelor on Coursera.

Benefits of earning a BA or BS

Whether you cull to earn a BA or a BS, a bachelor's degree often leads to college salaries, lower unemployment, and fifty-fifty greater networking potential. Let's take a closer look at some of the reasons you lot might cull to pursue your bachelor's:

To open up up new career paths

An estimated vii out of 10 jobs will require a degree beyond high school by 2030 [1], according to a report by the Georgetown Public Policy Institute. With a bachelor's degree, you may be able to explore new careers.

Every bit of 2015, ane in three adults earned a bachelor's degree, making it increasingly likely that you will exist vying for a job aslope other applicants with this level of education [2]. Earning a four-year degree tin can enable yous to become marketable to a wider range of fields or industries.

To increase your earning potential

Data shows that workers with higher levels of education earn more and experience lower rates of unemployment than those with less education. The difference in earnings is remarkable. On average, those with a bachelor's degree earn over $25,000 more per year than those with a high school diploma, co-ordinate to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [3].

Degree level	Annual salary
No high school	$32,188
High school diploma	$40,612
Associate's degree	$48,776
Bachelor's degree	$67,860

Technology, reckoner science, and math and sciences degrees continue to be the highest earning available's degrees, co-ordinate to the National Clan of Colleges and Employers (NACE) [iv]. If salary is a deciding factor for you, so a BS in any of these majors may be worthwhile.

To switch careers

If yous're fix for a change, a bachelor's degree in a subject of involvement tin open new and exciting career paths. Whether you earn your BA or BS, completing a degree demonstrates strong delivery and work ethic. While you lot practise not necessarily need a bachelor's degree to accomplish your career goals, it could increment the likelihood of being considered for career advancement opportunities.

Hear from Blair, a Coursera learner who pursued a 2d bachelor's caste as a style to shift to a new career:

"My goal is to launch a career in software applied science. Previously, I was in manufacturing and feeling unfulfilled. The Google It Support Professional person Certificate counted toward my BS in Estimator Science at the University of London that I am now enrolled in. The low cost and flexibility of the programme immune me to become back and pursue a second bachelor's degree." - Blair Currey, Coursera learner

To build a professional network

Today's job marketplace is competitive. Building a professional network can assist yous find your next job. One time enrolled in a degree programme, you may meet people in your courses, internships, volunteer roles, chore fairs, and career development events, all of whom can help grow your network as you expand your career horizons.

To develop skills

Enrolling in a BA or BS plan means you take the opportunity to proceeds skills such as writing, time management, teamwork, and presentation skills, all of which are valuable in the job market. It is an empowering experience because earning a bachelor'due south degree is a globally recognized achievement.

What does it have to earn a BA or BS?

Earning a bachelor's degree is a commitment to learning that may exist beneficial to your career, simply it also requires resources like time and money.

Time to consummate

Both the BA and BS typically take betwixt four and fives years of full-time coursework to consummate. A role-time programme may take longer. You may be able to end programs with less rigorous requirements in but three years, particularly if you've earned credits from other programs. BS programs tend to have more required core and major courses than BA programs, and may accept more time to complete.

Coursework

Throughout a BA or BS program, you volition have cadre, major, and constituent courses. BA degrees provide more room to tailor your instruction to your interests, whereas BS degrees are more than specialized and practical in the subject field affair. Curricula are designed to deepen your subject cognition while expanding on relevant topics. Typically, students are expected to complete a minimum of 120 credits for a bachelor's degree.

Tuition

Tuition fees for available'southward degree programs vary widely by school, as well every bit by plan or major. An estimated 60 percent of public inquiry universities assess tuition based on twelvemonth of report, major, or both, co-ordinate to a study at New York University [5]. Another survey conducted at Cornell University in 2011 found that schools often charge more than for business, engineering, and nursing programs.

This suggests that BS degrees tin be more than expensive at certain schools. Other schools charge the same for all incoming bachelor's caste students, no matter their called major.

It is of import to compare costs for specific programs, in addition to whether in that location are additional costs for books or special equipment (such as art supplies, a laptop, or a software program).

Total fees (including tuition, room and board, and other fees) for the 2018-19 academic year were $xviii,383 for public institutions, $47,419 for individual not-turn a profit institutions, and $27,040 for private for-profit institutions, according to the National Middle for Education Statistics [6]. Online degree programs can sometimes offer a more affordable and flexible option.

Pursuing your caste: Next Steps

Have the time to consider whether a bachelor's degree will assist you achieve your career goals, including what subjects interest you lot and which programs will run into your needs. If you decide a BA or a BS caste is right for you, preparing an awarding is the adjacent pace. Applications typically require a resume, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.

If you're considering a bachelor's degree, explore these programs from acme universities available on Coursera.

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Article sources

ane. Georgetown Public Policy Establish. Navigating the College-to-Career Pathway, https://1gyhoq479ufd3yna29x7ubjn-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/navigating_the_college-to-career_pathway-fr.pdf." Accessed November 22, 2021.

ii. United states of america Census Agency. "Educational Attainment in the United States: 2015, https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2016/demo/p20-578.pdf." Accessed November 19, 2021.

3. U.s. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Education pays, 2020, https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2021/information-on-display/education-pays.htm." Accessed Nov xix, 2021.

four. National Clan of Colleges and Employers. "Salary Survey, https://www.wpi.edu/sites/default/files/inline-paradigm/Offices/Career-Development-Center/2020-nace-salary-survey-wintertime.pdf." Accessed November nineteen, 2021.

5. The Pew Charitable Trusts. "Why Universities Charge Actress for Engineering science, Business organization and Nursing Degrees, https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2017/06/01/why-universities-charge-extra-for-engineering-business organization-and-nursing-degrees." Accessed November nineteen, 2021.

six. National Middle for Pedagogy Statistics. "Tuition costs of colleges and universities, https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=76." Accessed November 19, 2021.

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Source: https://www.coursera.org/articles/ba-vs-bs

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