Topic: A BA or MA isn't worth as much as a BS/MS.

[Writer]

Discuss!

[Maddy McCall]

1. Wrong. A MA requires a thesis.

A MS doesn't.

[Writer]

2. One can argue

that an MS, then, is more technical and pragmatic, hence making it a more practical degree.

[Maddy McCall]

5. Then one can argue that...

research and writing in one's chosen field, whether history or chemistry, provides more experience in what is technical and pragmatic than no research and writing at all.

[MrModerate]

3. Depends what you plan to do with the degree . . .

Many organizations that are looking for humanities-type grads prefer a BA. If you're going to be a chemist or a computer programmer, then a BS/MS is more appropriate.

MA theses can be one's first published work, and hence can be a significant professional credit.

If however, you're saying that among hiring managers generally, BS/MS degrees are "cooler," well, maybe so.

[sir_captain]

4. Nearly all masters degrees are equal

most jobs that require such don't even particularly care in what field it is.

Lots of colleges have stopped giving BS's. I went to Harvard, and the only BS (or, there, an S.B.) given was in engineering. Major in physics? You're still getting an A.B.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

6. What do you mean "worth"?

Do you mean "earns the recipient more money" or "is the result of more effort on the part of the student"?

I doubt that either is true. I taught at a school that offered a choice of a B.A. or B.S. in business, and the only difference was that the B.S. had no language requirements and not as many electives. Since the B.S. had no language requirement and required more business courses and fewer general education course, it seemed to me that people who had the B.S. graduated dumber.

A person can be unemployed with a B.S. or making big bucks with a B.A. Consider a computer science grad whose job has been outsourced with a theater major who made it big in show business. These are extreme examples,

[ChoralScholar]

7. Hell, I'm working on an MM (Master of Music)

where does that rate me?

I have to do a thesis, and also a practicum, where I put on a program and am graded on my conducting.

[The_Casual_Observer]

8. That would depend on your career.

Both have value in their specific fields.