Bachelor of Science/Arts versus Bachelor

I am confused. I see some colleges offering a Bachelor of science in Some Major and some offering a Bachelor of Some Major.

What is the difference between a Bachelor of Science/Arts vs Just a Bachelor

 

I'd have to know more about which specific schools you're looking at in order to really answer your question but I suspect that if you look at the number of courses (or credits) required within the Major academic area then your question will be answered. If you find there is no difference in that measure then I suspect it's just a different label for the same degree.

I've seen similar differences in non-US grad degree programs where you can earn an MA or a MPhil from the same department within a university. In these cases the MPhil typically involves a big research project while the MA does not.
Jack

 

It is very common in Australian to have named degrees where almost everything is either a Bachelor of * or a Bachelor of Arts (*) with the specific program chosen upon enrolment (usually). It gets somewhat excessive when one can be awarded a Bachelor of Food Techonolgy & Management or a Bachelor of Mathematical & Computer Sciences (the latter of which can be completed without any computer science)

There is not really a set standard, although engineering is always a Bachelor of Engineering (which contracts to either a BE or BEng) but Computer Science is all over the place (information technology, computer information systems, information systems, applied science(computer science) etc).

There is also a percieved tendency to look down on a "standard" BA (I do not know how accurate it is, but my university reports student concerns over the issue).

 

okay look at baker college

all their degrees are Bachelor of

as opposed to others which are bachelors of science/arts of


www.baker.edu

 

Traditionally, it works this way...

Bachelor of Arts - a generalist liberal arts degree comprised of about 60 hours of general education (core), 30 hours of major study (in a liberal arts field) and 30 combined hours of major coursework and related cognate coursework.

Bachelor of Science - a generalist liberal arts degree following the same pattern as the BA except that the 30 hours of major/cognate can be in an area outside the liberal arts. The major can be in any field.

Bachelor of Fine Arts - a specialist degree in one of the fine/performing arts areas with about 30 hours of general education and 90 hours of major study including cognate areas. (note the decreased general ed. and increased major study). Example areas are studio art, theater, and music. Often involves creation of an artistic work.

Bachelor of Applied Science - a specialist degree in an applied field with about 30 hours of general education and 90 hours of direct major study. Often involves research. Often requires applied coursework at a level below that required of a BS -- just as often requires higher coursework. More hands-on, less theory and history.

Bachelor of XYZ - a professional or pre-professional degree in a very specialized area concentrating heavily in that area. Follows the same general pattern as the BFA and BAS. Includes BAcc., BM, BEd, etc... The overwhelming majority of coursework is either in the major field of study or very closely related. General education requirements are often specialized as well -- "public speaking for teachers" vs a general public speaking course for example.

Bachelor of Liberal Arts/Bachelor of Liberal Studies/Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies -- a generalist degree often in a degree completion program for adults that allows for greatest variation in course requirements. Most often without a specific major or having an interdisciplinary major.

Each of these require a minimum of 120 semester hours -- some require more at some schools. Most will require a minimum of 30 hours at the upper level (junior/senior courses) and some such as BFA or BAcc may require even more upper level distribution.

One idea is that the BA/BS liberal arts degrees should make your mind a better place to live... while the professional and specialized degrees should make you a more skilled worker (or artist).

There are wide variations in some schools such that a BA in Art in one school might be equal to a BFA in Art in another. Generally though, these patterns are accepted standards.

There are those that defend the very generalist BA as the best possible undergraduate education. Others argue that the specilized and pre-professional degrees are better suited to the needs of the modern world.

In many cases, the workplace makes no distinction between a BA in Biology, a BS in Biology, and a BAS in Biology. In some fields though, the specific degree is important. In the music world there is a generally recognized distinction between a BA in music and a Bachelor of Music -- the latter having prepared a musical performer and the former a musical generalist or theorist.

The business world often makes a distinction between degrees such as a BA in accounting and the Bachelor of Acct.; even then, the license to practice is often more important than the degree held.

Some people will tell you that there is no difference between a BA/BS/BAS/Bxyz -- they are only partly correct. If there are curriculum differences in these programs then there may be a significant difference in the utility of the degree for your purpose. In many cases though, there is no real difference between degrees and it is simply a matter of which program you like better.