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Sahil Sharma

What is the difference between B.A. and B.Sc. Psychology?

What is the difference between B.A. and B.Sc. Psychology? Is one better than the other? How exactly do they effect my choice of career?


by Sahil Sharma
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2 answers

RE: What is the difference between B.A. and B.Sc. Psychology?

Meghna Mukherjee
Meghna Mukherjee
Verified Career Expert
Counselor at Adaptive Minds
  • Mumbai

Interesting question. Though the answer to the question lies in the question asked itself.


As a Psychologists mainly you would be dealing with mental health issues of people which may be in terms of Behavioral Issues, relationship issues, work stress issues, career related and welfare of the society.

The above mentioned BA and B.Sc , both are a undergraduate degree in Psychology. But the major difference lies in the perspective and the matter taught.
As a Psychologists mainly you would be dealing with mental health issues of people which may be in terms of Behavioral issues, relationship issues, work stress issue, career related and welfare of the society.
Though both the courses would emphasize on Psychological theories and assessment or testing. The major difference lies in the fact that, BA in Psychology students would gain more of the ART background subjects like Logic and counseling, whereas B.Sc in Psychology students would have more of science related subjects.
Psychologists
The major differences comes in terms of choosing specializations at the masters level. As a BA in Psychology, you are restricted in few specializations namely:

Whereas a B.Sc in Psychology does makes you eligible to take the above mentioned specializations, but you are also eligible for:
  • Neuro Psychology
  • Forensic Psychology

Also please note that some clinical setups in the South do not accept MA in Psychology to be the masters degree, for them M.Phil is a must, whereas an M.Sc in Psychology is considered as a Psychologists.
Psychologists
Though both the courses equally expose you to therapies that are majorly used during client sessions as well as Psychometric Assessments, i.e. the use of paper-pencil tests. But the choice is completely yours. If you do like Science related subjects like neurology, genetics and its effects than B.Sc could be a good option.
But never-the-less as a BA in Psychology, and further a Masters degree, is no less when it comes to therapies and assessments.
The only thing necessary here is proper exposure, in terms of internships during the course and after that practical work exposure.



Also important is to backup the degree with various certificate programs like
  • NLP
  • EMDR
  • Hypnosis
  • PLRT
  • Alternate healing and medications
  • Meditation

Hope you make the right choice and put in all the required efforts.

Wish you all the very best...........


RE: What is the difference between B.A. and B.Sc. Psychology?

Apurva Kumar Pandya, PhD
Apurva Kumar Pandya, PhD
Verified Career Expert
Consulting Psychologist
  • Delhi

Dear Aspirant,

Thanks for writing to www.careerguide.com!

Very interesting question. Just to add my perspective that may help you. In India, there is no difference in BA or BSc. The central content of the syllabus of the graduate course more or less remain the same.
The minor difference between BA/BSc is that BA is offered in ARTS stream while BSc is offered in Science stream.

Do not worry about BA/BSc label. It doesn't matter whether you have taken up BA or BSc. In India most Universities offer BA course while very few Universities offer BSc. Both students are equally eligible for post graduate course in Psychology. Look at the course syllabus offered by the UGC recognized University and choose the University that offers comprehensive introduction to psychology and offer studies in major fields of psychology.

Hope I have clarified your doubt. Feel free to revert back if you have more queries.

Best Wishes for your bright career,
Apurva Kumar Pandya, PhD

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RE: What is the difference between B.A. and B.Sc. Psychology?

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Caching Date: 11/21/2024 8:02:11 PM