I graduated last year with a BA in Computer Science (and a double major in Math). I was doing fine and I was 2 classes away from the BS, but I figured it wasn't worth hanging around for another semester. I was told that people didn't really care anyway. I have a job as a programmer but I'm looking for a new one, and I've been applying to a few places. I'm starting to wonder, are my job prospects damaged by me having a BA instead of a BS? I really can't tell. One recruiter basically asked me to explain why I had a BA instead of a BS, to which I responded that my school doesn't offer a BS in Math, and she seemed satisfied with that explanation. But I'm wondering if other places have tossed out my resume simply because my degree is "Bachelor of Arts" instead of "Bachelor of Science".

Quote: I'm starting to wonder, are my job prospects damaged by me having a BA instead of a BS?

No, this is not uncommon.

I also have a BA. 'Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science with an emphasis in Information Systems'. I had an interview where the guys asked me about it, and I didn't even know what to say because I didn't really know the difference. I didn't get that job, not because of that though, this was when I was first looking for jobs right out of college and they wanted more experience.

I wouldn't think that having a BA would damage your potential to get a job, but then again I've never been in a hiring position before. I would hope the employers are more worried about your programming/problem solving/team working skills than the letters in your degree.

In my experience, Cambridge University (one of the best in the world, apparently) has been handing out BA and MA (Master of Arts) degrees in a variety of subjects.

My brother did medicine there, obviously very much considered a science but he has a BA in that.

The point is that no, having a BA doesn't make you any less of a scientist than having the BS. Especially if you're familiar with what "BS" stands for [grin]

You could avoid the discussion altogether by putting "Bachelors degree - Computer Science" on your resume instead of BA or BS. I can't imagine your BA would make a difference to anyone except for the pickiest of HR people.

Quote: Cambridge University (one of the best in the world, apparently) has been handing out BA and MA (Master of Arts) degrees in a variety of subjects.

It hands out BAs for all 3-year undergraduate degrees I believe. 4th year masters are then M something (Depends upon subject). The MA is something everyone gets given 18 terms after matriculating (Which is Cambridge speak for 6 years after starting your degree) provided you get your BA.

I don't know how it works in the US, but in the UK what they call your degree is pretty much arbitrary and doesn't really matter. If you think BA vs BS is affecting your propects I'd go for ChurchSkiz's advice and just don't mention it specifically on your resume.

I just checked the programmer requirements for my company, and it specifically spells out a BS. However if you only got a BA because you were also double majoring in math, then that's not bad at all since CS is mostly discrete math anyway and any decent studio will know that.

And here I was, thinking this thread was going to be about BA Baracus vs BS - an uneven match-up, indeed!

Quote: Original post by ChurchSkiz
You could avoid the discussion altogether by putting "Bachelors degree - Computer Science" on your resume instead of BA or BS.

Agreed.

From my perspective it is not an issue, and most individuals would have no problem with it. The issue would be with large companies that have big HR departments an strict rules to throw out anybody that doesn't match.

Writing out simply "bachelors degree" gets around the arts/science issue. Employers really don't care the details of the degree as long as you are able to do the work.