I know that in the UK the degree titles of Bachelor of Arts and, to a lesser extent, Bachelor of Science are more "prestigious" than other titles like Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Technology, Bachelor of Applied Arts, Bachelor of Applied Science, etc... In fact, the University of Oxford only offers BA degrees at the undergraduate level in all disciplines (i.e. mathematics, physics, history, geology, etc...) Only in the higher degrees do we see specialised titles. I guess it's traditional. Does the prestige factor apply in the United States? Is a Bachelor of Science "better" than a Bachelor of Applied Science? Would one prefer a BA over a BAS? Comments?
I think generic degree titles (BA, BS) have a little more prestige than, say, a BAS or BTh, especially at the Doctoral level, where the PhD remains king of the hill (among academic degrees). At the MA level it seems that certain specialization degrees, MPA, MBA, hold sway, especially where people mistake them for a terminal masters like an MFA. Craig
I don't think it is a question of "better than" in the degree title. It is more a desciption of the discipline. There is a distinct difference between a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Engineering. The dfferences relate to the coursework. It is not that one is "better" than the other, it's that one holder has gone through a different program than the other. Each degree relates to some utility expected from the holder. Regards, Dick
Craig, When you earned the Th.D. at LBU, why didn't you go for the Ph.D. instead, since they offer both? Just curious.
Hi Russell: The Seminary does not offer a Ph.D. But, beyond that, the main reason was that I figured I would possibly finish the Ph.D. at UCR (it is just about 1/2 a dissertation short) or at an English research university, and I did not want two. Also I understood the Th.D. as more of an authentically religious degree. I thought that on a resume an academic doctorate and a more "professional" or at least "religious" degree would seem more congruent than two Ph.D. degrees in different disciplines. I understand that in modern American academics, with the possible exception of Evangelical schools, multiple doctorates are frowned upon. What do you think? Blessings Craig, Th.D., Ph......
I have seen many more instances where one held a professional doctorate and an academic doctorate (e.g., D.Min., Ph.D. or MD, Ph.D.), than say two Ph.D.'s. So I do understand your decision.
