BA or BS in Psychology?

[spaceyourbass]

I want to eventually get a PHD (or at the very least a Master's) in experimental pscyhology. I'm an undergrad right now and am doing all the right things...passing most required classes with A's, going to do an internship this summer, etc. I won't graduate until 2011 though b/c I just switched from another major. Advisement was a joke (it was a room full of people who got into a line and got their forms signed), so I didn't get a chance to ask an advisor...

Should I go for a BS or a BA if I want to do experimental psych? It makes sense to get a BS b/c its more math/statistics-related, and I would only have to take 3 or 4 extra classes. BUT someone with a BA is supposed to be considered more well-rounded. Any words of wisdom?

 

[ThaiDie4]

Hey! I'm a psychology major too, currently a sophmore, so I'll be graduating in 2011 as well

I'm going for the B.S., that's what my advisor recommended. I don't believe it makes a HUGE difference, but since psychology is emerging more as a science now a days with current research, I think the B.S. is more practical. I think if you're definently going to graduate school for psychology or counseling, then there's not so much a need for being "well rounded" (i.e. knowlege of foriegn languages, etc.) since you already have your sights set on continuing this particular major.

Good luck!!!

 

[Mehm]

The majority of psychological research funding is allocated for neuro and bio psych. If you are interested in being an experimental psychologist, this is where the action is. To participate in this high level physiological research you will need an extensive background in biology, chemistry, and probably computer science (my neuro-psych professor said programing computers is almost as important as understanding neurons because of the intricate computer systems used to study them).

For these reasons, I would definitely recommend the science path.

 

[who_can_say]

When I did my psyc major, you could either do it through a BA, BS or BPsyc. In all three degrees, you did the same core subjects. What differed was the subjects you did outside of the core psychology ones. So essentially my degree is the same as someone with a BS (Psyc) but they possibly did biology as opposed to my sociology.

Just make sure you have the core subjects, you do good in the research design/methodology and stats subejcts and you should be fine no matter what path you take.

 

[sushii]

^ Same here. I graduated with a BA but did the same compulsory statistics and neuro/bio psych subjects as students who did a BSc. At the time, I felt like I was at a disadvantage because they were able to take relevant electives (like neuroscience) while I was doing sociology - which I loved, but I knew I wanted to head towards the more hard-science end of psych. In the end though, it didn't matter at all. My PhD primarily involves looking at brain structure and psychophysiology and not having a science degree hasn't hindered me much at all.

Of course it all depends on your course requirements, but I'd suggest choosing based on which aspects of psych you like. If you're more into neuroscience, pick the science degree. If you prefer social psychology, do a BA. That way you'll hopefully be able to pick non-core subjects that complement your main area of study.