What’s the Difference Between a BA Degree and BS Degree?

If you are looking at college degree programs, you may have begun to get overwhelmed by the number of choices available. Some of the more common degrees you will see are the BA (Bachelor of Arts), BS (Bachelor of Science), and BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts). Although you may even find some of the following degrees offered at your university as well: BSW (Bachelor of Social Work), B.Eng (Bachelor of Engineering), or B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture). For the purpose of this article, we are going to stick with the two most common degrees: Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science.

Now, you may assume that one would get a Bachelor of Arts degree in an arts or Humanities subject (Music, Art History, English, etc.) and a Bachelor of Science degree in a Math or Science subject (Biology, Statistics, etc). However, if you look at your college catalog, you may find that you can get a BA in Biology, or even a BS in Theatre…what gives?

Well, in these two degrees, the ‘Arts’ or ‘Science’ part does not designate WHAT you studied, but instead HOW you studied it. A Bachelor of Arts degree is a liberal arts degree. Generally, out of 120 credits, only 30-40 are in the major. This allows for lots of flexibility, but not a ton of focus on the major. A Bachelor of Science degree on the other hand, requires 50-70 credits in the major and may also require cognates or limited electives. This provides a more focused, but slightly less well rounded degree.

So, how do you decide which one to go for? Well, first you will want to see which degrees your school offers in your major. If they only offer one or the other, then you have no choice. However, if you are lucky enough to have your pick between the two, then you have some choosing to do. Think about how intensively you wish to study your major. If this is something you wish to truly focus on for four years, then go with a BS degree. If you like your major, but wish to undertake a minor, double major, or simply take a lot of electives, then you may wish to take the BA degree.

The next step you should take is to look at your college’s catalog and check out the course requirements for each degree. Sometimes different courses are required for each. For example, a statistics course may be required for a BS, but a foreign language course may be required for a BA. Simply look at the requirements and choose the one which excites you the most.

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Why Online Education?

Online education is a process of learning and teaching through the Internet.

Over the years, the World Wide Web has expanded ideas and information, making them more accessible to people wherever they are. With audio and visual technologies, the Internet has allowed the creation of a more effective, faster instructional system called the network, which makes distance learning possible. To build a network in order to unite the distance learning teacher with the student, both need only a satellite, cable modem, digital subscriber lines (DSL), or wireless cables.

But before these technologies came about and made a difference in learning methods, online education seemed to just be a vague picture around twenty years ago.

It was in the early 1980s that cable and satellite television became the primary media for distance education courses. Over time, the computer industry grew; and educational institutions used multimedia programs, the PowerPoint being the most popular one, in order to enhance teaching techniques in the hopes that students can easily absorb lessons.

In mid-1990s, the Internet happened, and online education started to become a part of everyone’s way of life. At first, e-training companies only rendered online training courses for business entities that did not prefer in-house trainers for their employees. However, as the technology advanced, online classes and college courses ultimately became the next big thing. And up to now, we continue to witness the evolution of distance learning and online education, the changes of which have resulted to a lot of benefits.

What basically sets online education apart from traditional face-to-face education is the technological separation of teachers and students. Online education saves students from the burden of actually going to a certain place at a certain time to meet his professor in order to learn. The two-way Internet-based communication systems that comprise a great streaming media, online video access, and fast web servers allow students to learn at home or someplace else at their own time. This enables students to keep on earning their respective university degrees through ways they see more efficient and effective. If they wish to study while working, then taking college courses online could be their best option.

However, every option has its pros and cons and perhaps the major downside of online education is the lack of interaction that is naturally present in traditional classes. Online courses may be flexible for one’s study and work schedules, but it may also limit social skills that contribute into making a well-rounded individual. That is why online education must be balanced with a good amount of interaction as learners do tasks aside from studying.

All are unique individuals with distinct methods to gain knowledge. And the fact is that online education has become an adaptive means for education pursuits for many people; high technologies such as the computers and Internet play an essential part in the educational system. The future of education, specifically for college programs and degree courses, holds a more accessible and wider range of educational and research opportunities.

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How to Make the Most of an Online Degree Program

Online education works great for busy, working adults and career-focused students who want to either acquire new skills or further those that they already possess. If you’re interested in an online program, you’ll want to make the most of it. Here’s the lowdown on things you can do to make the most of you online degree program, right from the selection of the program to finding a job.

Do a back-ground check

Once you’ve narrowed down your preferences of the degree you’d like to pursue, you begin your search for a college that’ll fit you right. But before looking into any college’s program you should educate yourself about the importance of accreditation. An online college should be regionally or nationally accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

If the college fails to provide details about its accreditation, it should a raise a red flag for you as you might very well be dealing with a diploma mill. In addition to the institutional accreditation, it would help if their specialized programs have been accredited by a reputable accrediting organization.

An example of an accredited online college is Independence University. According to Independence University reviews, the college’s respiratory therapy program has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), also recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You should read an Independence University review to find out more about the college and its accreditation.

Other than the accreditation, you should ask the college or try to find reviews talking about:

· Student-teacher ratio

· Student diversity

· Online student services (such as career services, financial aid help offered by the college to those who qualify,etc)

· Educational and professional qualifications of the faculty

Excel at your program

Pursuing a degree online is not as easy as it is convenient. While you have the freedom to study at your own pace, it could be very easy to fall back in classes if you don’t come up with a system to stay on top of things. Work out a routine which enables you to give your program its due attention. Assignments won’t complete themselves and unless you’re willing to let your grades suffer, you’re going to have to be motivated and disciplined enough to get things done and do them right.

Make sure you have high-speed Internet connectivity along with the software you’ll need during the program. Take active part in student discussions and don’t be afraid to pose your doubts and queries to your instructors.

Finding employment

Online education is slowly but surely gaining recognition amongst employers. In the past, employers were apprehensive about hiring employees with online degrees because they were worried about the quality of education online students received. Others were doubtful of the authenticity of the degree with the abundance of diploma mills handing out fake degrees for a sum of money.

While you still might come across wary potential employers, there are ways to convince them about the credibility of your degree. For starters, there is little to no difference between the course curriculum of online programs and traditional on-campus programs. Hence, during an interview it would help if you be upfront about your education. Talk about things like your college’s accreditation, the way your classes were conducted, and the frequency with which your instructors and fellow students would interact with you. The employer is most likely to take note of your dedication and determination to educate yourself.

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