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Bachelor of Arts or Science

Please visit the Graduation Requirements page for an overview of the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees. Every psychology major must choose either the B.S. or B.A.

Students often arrive at college and wonder why certain general classes are required for graduation. It is a logical and popular concern.Why should I study literature, philosophy, history, music, art, or any other subject outside my major? Why study any subject that doesn't help me train for a job?


Our liberal arts education prepares you to use critical thinking.

Many occupations require you to grasp ideas and use intellectual approaches. Studying a variety of subjects can improve your concentration, help you to follow debates, and assist in establishing true meanings of trivial concepts. Expanding your intellect by studying a variety of fields can enhance your critical thinking, which can benefit you in your future careers.

Ever read a book and think to yourself, I have no idea what this book is talking about? It may be difficult to believe but having a wide-ranging background in various subjects can provide many tools for understanding. Biology, for example, assists you in understanding the fundamentals of life. It helps us seek or understand conditions that may become a threat to the existence of living beings on earth. Being familiar with context is extremely beneficial for full understanding. Having a general knowledge of your surroundings gives you context.

The choice of BA or BS is entirely up to you. Choosing from a Bachelors of Science or a Bachelors of Arts enhances your higher learning and promotes your intellectual mind to understand complex yet rewarding knowledge which can shape how you see the world.

So how does psychology enhance my critical thinking abilities?

“Several research studies have revealed that psychology majors gain more in critical thinking over their undergraduate years than do majors in other disciplines, including those in the natural sciences and humanities.”[1] Whether you plan to become a researcher or a practitioner, one of the essential aspects of being successful is your critical thinking ability. Your critical thinking skills may promote your ability to function effectively within your area of psychology.

Maintaining a balance by understanding different contexts promotes your ability to analyze facts, conceive and align ideas, debate your opinions, build comparisons, draw conclusions, evaluate arguments, and solve problems. These are the basic components to help you increase your college success and provide a backbone in your psychology field.

[1] Lawson, T.J. (1999). Assessing psychological critical thinking as a learning outcome for psychology majors. Teaching of Psychology, 26, 207-209.