Which Degree is Right for You?

Every college student has to pick a specific pathway to a degree. However, choosing your degree can be intimidating. Most colleges undergraduate programs offer a couple degree options. It is important for students to realize their options between these degree paths because of the impact specific degree classes can have on you.

Similar to most undergraduate programs, JMU offers students two degree options:

• Bachelor of the Sciences

• Bachelor of the Arts

Know Your Options

On the Office of Registrar page of the official JMU website, specific requirements for each degree are clearly outlined. A quick glance at the site’s page shows you the Bachelor of the Arts (B.A.) requires a philosophy course and a few foreign language courses to satisfy the degree. The Bachelor of the Sciences (B.S.) requires a one extra math course and one extra science course beyond GenEd requirements to satisfy the degree. However, in the case of a B.S., you are able to choose from almost 20 different science discipline options to fulfill the extra courses. Classes focused in Anthropology, Geology, Kinesiology and Sociology are some nontraditional science disciplines on the list of potential classes. So, don't knock it until you do your research, Dukes.

I have researched the appeal of both degree paths by talking to a couple of Dukes. Many students picked their degree paths because of its fit into their majors; others have found it simply made sense to choose one over the other.

Brittany Howard, a junior Communications and SMAD double major, shared her experience with choosing a degree saying, “I really didn't consider ever choosing a B.S. because I always thought that a B.A. was the only way to go with my majors, and until my sophomore year, I never gave it much thought. However, when talking to my advisor I found out a that I was almost done with B.A. requirements before I even was worried about it!” In this case, Brittany’s degree chose her, but her options are still out there.

You can think of degree-required classes like GenEds. Basically, it does not matter exactly which class you take, it matters more about which classes are acceptable for that degrees requirement. You could per say, choose to take the Bachelor of the Arts root to take a language and avoid taking more sciences classes that is required by a Bachelor of the Sciences degree.

For example, a Communications major should traditionally choose a Bachelor of the Arts degree because of its application in the field. But many students are not aware that you can receive the same credit towards a Communications major with a Bachelor of the Sciences degree. The only difference is your particular interest in the degree's requirements.

So remember, Dukes, if you loved Spanish in high school, maybe a B.A. is your best bet. But, don't forget that a B.S. doesn't necessarily mean that Chemistry and Physics are your only options. Look up your choices for which degree would suit your interests before jumping to any conclusions. Be sure to check the James Madison University degree requirements checklist to ensure you're choosing the right path for you. If you want some outside information on the differing degrees, check out websites like bestvalueschool.com for more facts and information.

References

http://www.bestvalueschools.com/faq/what-is-the-difference-between-a-b-a-and-a-b-s/

https://www.jmu.edu/registrar/BA_and_BS_Degree_Courses.shtml

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