Psychology BA and BS are two degrees of Psychology, which can be studied with two respective streams, that is, the arts and science streams. Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour or the mind.
This subject can be studied and can be pursued further by both arts and science students. It has a lot of scope from both streams. It is a newly emerging subject that has taken a great pace in recent years.
Even though both streams can study psychology but there are slight differences between them. Both the streams involved practical as well as theoretical studies. Both studies involve a three-year-long period.
Key Takeaways
- A Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology focuses on liberal arts, providing a broader understanding of the field and fostering strong communication skills. In contrast, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology emphasizes scientific research and quantitative skills.
- BA graduates may pursue careers in social work, human resources, or public relations, while BS graduates are more suited for research positions, lab work, or graduate study in psychology.
- BA programs require fewer credits in the major and more electives, allowing for exploring other subjects. In contrast, BS programs have more stringent course requirements focusing on science and research.
Psychology BA vs Psychology BS
Psychology is a popular field of study that is offered at many colleges and universities. Students who want to study psychology can choose between a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program. A Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program provides students with a broad-based education in psychology and the humanities and social sciences.

Psychology BA, the syllabus is associated with liberal arts. It aims at the theory and philosophical aspects. The eligibility to pursue BA in Psychology is to be a student from the Humanities stream with Psychology.
This course is related to the philosophical understanding of the human mind and behaviour. BA in Psychology can lead to education or careers in non-psychology fields as well.
On the other hand, the Psychology BS syllabus is associated with more technical and scientific studies which aim at the subjects like mathematics and statistics.
The eligibility to pursue BS in Psychology is to be a student from the Science stream Psychology. This course is related to the scientific and logical understanding of the human mind and behaviour.
BS Psychology prepares for careers or further education in psychology.
Comparison Table
Parameters of Comparison | Psychology BA | Psychology BS |
---|---|---|
Definition | The Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology is the degree where a student chooses Psychology as a professional carrier, that involves subjects like liberal arts. | The Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology is the degree where a student chooses Psychology as a professional carrier, that involves subjects like mathematics and statistics. |
Eligibility | Humanities stream with the subject Psychology. | Science Stream with the subject Psychology. |
Aim | BA Psychology aims in the theoretical and philosophical study of Psychology. | BS Psychology aims in the scientific and logical study of Psychology. |
Career Options | Counseling, Education, Social Work, Journalism, etc | Medical Profession or the Study of neuroscience. |
Electives | The BA Psychology involves elective subjects of the Humanities stream. | The BS Psychology involves elective subjects of the Science Stream. |
What is Psychology BA?
The Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology is the degree where a student chooses Psychology as a professional career that involves subjects like liberal arts.
Psychology BA, the syllabus is associated with liberal arts. Liberal arts concludes arts subjects, such as literature and history, as a distinct form of science and technology.
It aims at the theory and philosophical aspects. It includes both practical and theoretical studies of the human mind and behaviour. In short, it is related to the basic understanding of the subject. It helps to understand the subjects in many different fields.
The eligibility to pursue BA in Psychology is to be a student f from the Humanities stream with Psychology. The student has to pass his/her 10+2 examination from the arts stream.
This course is related to the philosophical understanding of the human mind and behaviour. BA Psychology is a three-year-long study course that involves practice and theory.
The BA in Psychology involves career options like counselling, education, social work, journalism, etc. BA in Psychology can lead to education or careers in non-psychology fields as well.
The BA Psychology involves elective subjects in the Humanities stream. Some best options for elective subjects with BA Psychology are sociology, political science, philosophy, etc.

What is Psychology BS?
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology is the degree where a student chooses Psychology as a professional carrier that involves the subjects like mathematics and statistics.
Mathematics and statistics are two such subjects that involve a lot of mathematical and statistical aspects to learn the subject. BS Psychology prepares for careers or further education in psychology.
The eligibility for BS Psychology is Science stream with the subject Psychology. The student has to pass his/her 10+2 examination from the science stream.
BS Psychology aims in the scientific and logical study of Psychology. BS Psychology is a three-year-long study course that involves practice and theory.
The BS in Psychology involves career options like the medical profession or the study of neuroscience.
BS psychology involves the same course work as BA Psychology but in a more advanced way which involves a lot of scientific terms and aspects.
The BS in Psychology involves elective subjects in the science stream. Some best options for elective subjects with BS in Psychology are biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Etc.

Main Differences Between Psychology BA and Psychology BS
- The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is the degree where a student chooses Psychology as a professional carrier that involves subjects like liberal arts. On the other hand, the Bachelor of Science in Psychology is a degree where a student chooses Psychology as a professional carrier that involves the subjects like mathematics and statistics.
- The eligibility for BA Psychology is Humanities stream with the subject Psychology. On the other hand, the eligibility for BS Psychology is Science stream with the subject Psychology.
- BA Psychology aims in the theoretical and philosophical study of Psychology. On the other hand, BS Psychology aims in the scientific and logical study of Psychology.
- The BA Psychology involves career options like counselling, education, social work, journalism, etc. On the other hand, the BS Psychology involves career options like the medical profession or the study of neuroscience.
- The BA Psychology involves elective subjects in the Humanities stream. On the other hand, BS Psychology involves elective subjects of the science stream.
