A Bachelors degree, also known as a baccalaureate, is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years. The two most common types of Bachelors degrees are the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BS) . The main difference between the two is the subject matter. A BA degree coursework tends to focus on critical thinking, communication, and holistic learning, whereas BS degree coursework tends to focus on logic, reasoning, and quantitative skills.
In general, a BA degree reflects the liberal arts tradition guiding many colleges, which emphasizes philosophy, literature, history, social sciences, art, and foreign language study. On the other hand, a BS degree is typically centered around technical fields, and there may be more math and science courses or lab studies and research.
The specific requirements for earning a BA or BS degree can vary depending on the school and the program. However, both types of degrees typically involve taking core, major, and elective courses. Some colleges have BA or BS programs only in certain disciplines, while others offer both options. To choose between a BA and a BS, students should consider their long-term goals and the subject matter they are interested in.