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+--- Thread: BS vs. BA at COSC - What's the difference? (/Thread-BS-vs-BA-at-COSC-What-s-the-difference)
BS vs. BA at COSC - What's the difference? - soliloquy - 12-18-2013
Some of you may know that my mix of credits has given me interesting options - I now have to figure out what I'm going to do with these 184 credits to turn them into a Bachelors Degree. I first was going to do a Liberal Studies degree but found out my certified paralegal credential can be used to earn me 32 credits towards a Bachelors with a Paralegal Studies Concentration. It looks like I was have very few classes to take if that is the case. I had listed Liberal Studies on my application to COSC today so my admissions advisor emailed me and told me to submit a change of degree form. So anyway...I can pick between a BS or BA. At most schools I've applied to having a BS means more math/science courses than a BA but at COSC that doesn't seem to be the case. Am I missing something? The only difference seems to be that a BA requires 90 credits from liberal arts courses and a BS requires 60. If that's the case, is there a benefit to choosing one over the other?
Thanks!
BS vs. BA at COSC - What's the difference? - publius2k4 - 12-19-2013
soliloquy Wrote:Some of you may know that my mix of credits has given me interesting options - I now have to figure out what I'm going to do with these 184 credits to turn them into a Bachelors Degree. I first was going to do a Liberal Studies degree but found out my certified paralegal credential can be used to earn me 32 credits towards a Bachelors with a Paralegal Studies Concentration. It looks like I was have very few classes to take if that is the case. I had listed Liberal Studies on my application to COSC today so my admissions advisor emailed me and told me to submit a change of degree form. So anyway...I can pick between a BS or BA. At most schools I've applied to having a BS means more math/science courses than a BA but at COSC that doesn't seem to be the case. Am I missing something? The only difference seems to be that a BA requires 90 credits from liberal arts courses and a BS requires 60. If that's the case, is there a benefit to choosing one over the other?
Thanks!
It's pretty much all in how you want your degree worded. As you said, you would need more liberal arts credits for the BA. You need less with the BS, so you would fill the 30 credit difference with electives. It doesn't change your concentration or the total number of credits needed, so it's really just a matter of preference. Think of how you plan to apply your degree, and consider which one sounds like it aligns more with your future goals.
BS vs. BA at COSC - What's the difference? - rebel100 - 12-19-2013
I don't think most people can articulate the difference. I can see where maybe a liberal arts teacher would have a preference for an "arts" degree. I think there may be some bias in favor of a "science" degree in engineering or health fields....but unless we are talking a specific degree like a BSN I think the point is essentially moot.
I would take whichever your closer to finishing. If you have the credit for either I would consider my point above for about a nano second and just pick one. You really can't go wrong with either considering you don't presently have a degree.
BS vs. BA at COSC - What's the difference? - Tedium - 12-19-2013
A lot of times the only difference is the perception of whomever is looking at your degree (potential employer, grad school, etc.) I would have to field some questions from a potential grad school if I got a BS in Literature and was going pursue an MA in English. It's just what's expected, but not necessarily what's right if that makes sense.
Of course if someone asks for one or the other then it obviously does become an issues of right or wrong.