Planning your academic journey after high school involves a long list of decisions students need to make. At first, the decisions are broader, like choosing a university or major. Then there are choices that are more nuanced, like electing to pursue a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree.
A common misconception for incoming students is that the difference between a BS and a BA is the field of study you choose, with the BA being arts-focused and the BS centering more on hard sciences. In fact, a Bachelor of Science can be applied toward a more arts-related degree, like music. Likewise, a Bachelor of Arts can be applied to science topics, like physics.
What do BS and BA degrees involve?
These designations refer more to the curriculum the student pursues. A Bachelor of Science is typically more focused on a single area of study, according to Study USA. For example, someone earning a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems might dive deep into the areas of business and technology but will take fewer classes focusing on literature, foreign language or history.
On the other side of the coin, a Bachelor of Arts degree provides a broader education. Someone pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems will also take courses outside of that major in the form of electives and general education requirements; however, a student in a Bachelor of Arts program might have less coursework concentrated on the major, with more time dedicated to studying topics like foreign language, communications or humanities.
As a result, a BS degree typically requires more major-related credits, while a student pursuing a BA degree will have more opportunities to explore subjects and courses outside his or her major. A Bachelor of Science student who wants to branch outside his or her major studies can take electives, add a minor in a different topic or take on a second major.
Why choose a BS vs. BA degree?
There is no right or wrong answer for deciding to go after a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. Both degrees are generally regarded equally in the professional world. It all depends on what you want to do with your online business degree and how you want to direct your education.
In fields that are centered around mathematics and sciences, which often require more intensive study, it may be more typical to pursue a Bachelor of Science. Additionally, this path will generally give you more practice working with various tools, formulas and ideas that will help you craft your career or prepare you for a master’s program in that same field.
What will an online Bachelor of Science degree include?
For students who have already decided to pursue a Bachelor of Science in a business major, the online programs offered through the University of Alabama at Birmingham Collat School of Business can provide a convenient, high-quality education. Some of the beneficial courses all Bachelor of Science students will take include:
• BUS 102: Business Foundations
• BUS 110: Essentials of Financial Literacy
• AC 200 & 201: Principles of Accounting I & II
• LS 246: Legal Environment of Business
These classes are entirely online and accessible anytime you need them. In addition to these business-focused courses, you’ll also have the opportunity to take a deep dive into your preferred major. For example, our Bachelor of Science in Information Systems focuses on business topics but also features an information systems core that includes topics like programming, database management and system analysis.
Bachelor of Science in Information Systems
Data is becoming more important in the business world, and that’s where a degree in information systems can come in handy. It can teach students how to create, manage, interpret and deliver data for a variety of business functions.
Online Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
If you decide that a business-focused Bachelor of Science in Information Systems is for you, choosing the University of Alabama at Birmingham can help you develop the skills you’ll need when you enter the workforce.
To learn more about pursuing a Bachelor of Science with the Collat School of Business’s online programs, reach out to an enrollment advisor today.
Recommended Readings:
5 certifications to consider after you finish your Bachelor’s in Accounting
Bachelor of Science in Accounting curriculum: What you may learn at UAB
Sources:
1. https://www.studyusa.com/en/a/1241/what-is-the-difference-between-a-bachelor-of-arts-and-a-bachelor-of-sciences
2. https://businessdegrees.uab.edu/