Undergraduates’ Considerations in Declaring Either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Abstract

Undergraduate psychology majors (n = 277) completed a survey assessing their rationale for pursuing either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Only 52.9% correctly identified the differences in degree requirements. Of those, BA students indicated greater science anxiety and avoidance than those pursuing a BS. BS students reported greater foreign language anxiety and avoidance than those pursuing a BA. Differences in math anxiety and avoidance were not found. Consideration of math and science degree requirements was more influential on degree choice for those pursuing a BA than for those pursuing a BS, but neither group differed in how influential advisors, family, faculty, family, or career path were in influencing degree choice. Results suggest students’ degree choice may be based on their aversion to areas of study emphasized by the alternative degree: pursuing a BA to avoid science and pursuing a BS to avoid foreign language.

Keywords

BS BA psychology major anxiety avoidance degree choice

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