BA in Psychology

What is a BA in Psychology?

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) is the more common of the two undergraduate degrees offered in the field of psychology. Unlike the Bachelor of Science (BS), which is primarily a research degree, a BA in Psychology is a liberal-arts degree. This means your course of study will contain more classes outside the field of psychology, and your education will be less specialized and more well-rounded. If you feel sure that a career in psychological research is the right path for you, then the BS is the fast-track option for your goals. If, however, you are interested in human psychology from a more general perspective or are unsure what career path you want to follow, your best bet is to choose the BA in Psychology.

Like most Bachelor’s Degrees, a BA in Psychology takes about 4 years to complete. Some students take 3 or 5 years to graduate, and some pursue rigorous combined BA/MA programs that give them two degrees in psychology in the space of 5 years. The vast majority, however, follow the traditional college schedule and graduate in exactly 4 years.

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is a great introduction to the field of psychology for those who are interested but have no educational background in it. Coursework at the Bachelor’s degree level will start with the very basics and cover all major branches and theories in psychology. As a student of psychology, you will ask questions about human behavior and the human mind, including topics such as social behavior, learning and memory, mental health, perception, and counseling studies. A BA in Psychology is a well-rounded generalist degree, so it is good preparation for nearly any career, and those who attain this degree often go on to graduate-level studies in philosophy, English, sociology, cultural studies, and counseling. Of course, for those who want to pursue an MA or PhD in Psychology, the BA in Psychology is the first step.

How do I get into a BA program?

The typical applicant to a BA program in Psychology is a high school student applying for admission to a college or university as an undeclared major. As a BA student, you are likely to have many general-education or “breadth” requirements, which will usually be fulfilled in the first 1-2 years at college. This gives you time to reflect and consider if psychology is the right field for you and, if so, if the BA is the right degree. College applications are usually not filled out with a specific degree in mind, so no need to worry if you have no prior knowledge of psychology – at the Bachelor’s Degree level, you will start from the ground up.

To apply for college, whether for a BA in Psychology or any other Bachelor’s degree, the first thing you will need is a high school diploma with reasonably good grades (GEDs are usually accepted as well, although not always – check with the admissions office at your school of interest). Most Bachelor’s Degree programs also require standardized test scores (SAT and/or ACT), and an essay or personal statement. This statement should be about your strengths as a student and your ability to succeed in a college environment, rather than your specific preparations to study psychology.

Completing Your Degree Online

There are many advantages and disadvantages to completing a BA in Psychology online. Perhaps the most significant “pro” is that you can complete your degree on your own schedule and at your own pace. This is a major advantage for working adults, parents, and other “nontraditional” students. Online degrees are also a great option for those who are unable to move or commute to the campus they wish to attend – these students can take the classes, do the work, and get the degree, often without setting foot on campus. The geographic range of your college search can thus be significantly expanded.

The major disadvantage of an online BA in Psychology is that you have little or no face-time with faculty and fellow students. At the college level, much of the learning takes place outside the classroom, and this is difficult for online programs to replicate. Personal advising and counseling from professors, a major asset for on-campus students, is also generally unavailable in a virtual setting, although some high-quality online programs have taken steps to rectify this. Other things being equal, most people prefer to complete their degrees on-campus if possible.. That said, any reputable program, whether online or traditional, that delivers an accredited Bachelor of Arts in Psychology will give you a major step forward in almost any career.

Advice for Prospective Students

If you can afford the time and the money (or if you can find a scholarship or other source of funds), there is little reason not to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree. Don’t be worried that your choice of a BA in Psychology will preclude you from pursuing non-psychology-related career paths later on; the skills you learn as a student of psychology are valuable in all areas of life. Even leaving aside the value of such a degree from a career perspective, consider the personal benefits you would gain from a better understanding of human behavior, emotions, and communication. This is especially true of the BA in Psychology, since this degree includes significant study in other fields. Even if your coursework in psychology happens to be less than what you hoped for, as a BA student you will spend much of your time learning about science, culture, politics, art, literature, and all other areas of human activity. The goal of the BA is to help every student become a well-rounded person and citizen, and so a BA in Psychology is a valuable degree for nearly anyone.