What is the difference between a BA and a BS in psychology?

Asked by: Gerry Dicki  |  Last update: October 2, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (56 votes)

A BA in psychology focuses more on the humanities or liberal arts. This degree includes more electives, allowing students to take classes in various fields. Alternatively, a BS in psychology concentrates more on applied psychology, research methods, natural sciences and math.

What is better a BA or BS in psychology?

Traditionally, a BA program requires more courses in liberal arts, making it a great choice to diversify a course of study. A BS program requires more courses in math and science and could better suit learners who want to pursue graduate studies in psychology or other related disciplines.

Is psychology BS harder than BA?

That said, the rigor of curriculum is largely the same between B.A. and B.S. programs. Since the B.A. allows students to take more electives, it is often the preferred option for students who wish to explore a wider array of career options after graduating.

What is a BA in psychology called?

A Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is considered a liberal arts degree. While enrolled in a B.A. in Psychology program, you'll complete courses in humanities and social sciences as well as general electives in psychology.

What is the difference between a BA and a BS?

BA/BS degrees are not the same degrees. The key differences between a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science are that a B.A. typically requires more courses in the humanities (writing, art, history, philosophy, or religion) while a B.S. usually has more science and mathematics courses.

BA IN PSYCHOLOGY OR BSC IN PSYCHOLOGY | Admissions and Careers

45 related questions found

Is it bad to get a BA instead of a BS?

If you want a broader education where you study multiple subjects, particularly those related to liberal arts, a BA may be the better degree for you. If you want more technical skills, including higher-level math classes, science labs, and more of your classes to focus on your major, then a BS might be better.

Does a BA or BS make more money?

Bachelor of science graduates earn more—at first

The technical skills often associated with a BS are in high demand. For the first 10 years of experience in the field, BS degrees have the edge. Over time, however, the gap closes—then goes the other way.

What is the highest psychology degree?

Doctorate Degree

A doctoral degree is the highest degree you can earn in psychology. A doctorate in psychology typically takes an additional three to seven years to complete, depending on the number of courses taken and the amount of time it takes to finish the dissertation.

Is it good to major in psychology?

Psychologists can find work in a wide range of fields. This includes jobs in schools, hospitals, substance abuse treatment, social services, and applied psychologists for businesses. Also, a psychology degree is highly valued in the job market because of the range of skills psychology majors acquire.

What is a major in psychology?

A psychology major examines the science of human behavior and mental processes. This includes the study of the mind, the brain, and human and animal social interactions. The major touches on many different areas of psychology like social, cognitive, abnormal, personality and developmental.

Is BS in psychology easy?

The degree is difficult no matter what aspect of psychology you happen to be studying, don't take this too hard, no university degree is easy. A psychology degree tends to focus more on coursework, exams and lectures, although there will be the occasional need for practical work too.

Can you get a masters in psychology?

Most Masters in Psychology degrees will be one or two years long, although this will vary by country and specialization. If you would like to study part-time or via distance (online) learning, the course is likely to take longer to complete.

How do you put BA in psychology on a resume?

As a rule, you should spell out the full name of your degree rather than abbreviate it. If you're short of space on your resume, you're free to abbreviate your degree. Just make sure it's understandable to the recruiter. If in doubt, don't abbreviate.

What do most psychology majors do?

The truth is that a bachelor's degree in psychology could lead to immediate employment in fields like marketing, teaching, or human resources, or it could be coupled with a graduate degree and lead to careers in counseling, social work, or occupational therapy.

Do psychology majors write a lot of papers?

Most psychology courses require a significant amount of writing, including essays, case studies, research reports, and other papers.

Is psychology one of the hardest majors?

Many people wonder if psychology is difficult to study, and the answer is not straightforward. By most definitions of “hard,” the answer is yes. Psychology majors must work hard to understand the material, which covers everything from the principles of psychology to the anatomy of the brain to how attraction works.

Which branch of psychology pays the most?

In addition to being in demand, psychiatrist positions are by far the highest-paying jobs for psychology majors. When you work where a majority of psychiatrists are employed — within an outpatient care center or within a physician's office — the BLS reports 2022 mean salaries of $299,470 or $280,600, respectively.

What is the lowest psychology degree?

Most entry-level psychology professions require a bachelor's degree at the very minimum. An associate degree is commonly used as a stepping stone toward earning a bachelor's and is a great way to gain a solid background in psychology before moving on to more advanced studies.

What is a good GPA for a psychology major?

The mean of successful applicants to PhD programs in psychology, on the 4.0 scale, is 3.6 overall and 3.7 in psychology courses; for Master's programs it is 3.4 overall and 3.5 in psychology courses. The GPA should be, at minimum , typically 3.0 or higher.

Do employers prefer BA or BS?

That all depends on your specific employment goals. Many companies choose to hire people who have earned a bachelor's degree, without being concerned if it is a B.A. or a B.S. degree. However, there are those places that do want to see very specific courses taken and items learned.

Is BS or BA better for jobs?

If you know that you want to work in a specialized STEM field like engineering, then you should get a BS. If you're still undecided about your career trajectory, a BA is a better option. If you love writing and communication, you should go for a BA. If you prefer math and science, a BS might be the right choice.

Is BS or BA better for med school?

Medical school degree requirement

Every U.S. medical school requires the completion of a four-year degree from an accredited college or university. It doesn't matter whether your degree is a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.).

Can you graduate with both a BA and BS?

A dual degree results in two different Bachelor's degrees, and is also known as a "concurrent BA and BS." A dual degree requires 225 units to graduate, and is only possible if you wish to pursue one major in a BA field and the other in a BS field.

What is equivalent to a BA degree?

Determining bachelor's degree equivalency

A bachelor's degree is roughly equivalent to four to eight years of work experience in a related field. A master's degree is roughly equivalent to 10 or more years of work experience in a related field.

Can I get a BA and BS in the same major?

You can earn one degree with two academic disciplines. A double BA is a double major where both subjects fall within a Bachelor of Arts. A double BS is a double major where both subjects fall within a Bachelor of Science.