BA Degree in the US

Apart from a Bachelors degree in Science (B.S. or S.B.), the universities in the US offer a Bachelors degree in Arts (B.A.) as well. The Bachelors degree in Arts, like the B.S. degree, has many foreign takers. There are a few differences in the B.A. degree offered in the US and that offered in countries like India. Through this article, we have tried to list those differences and have tried to bring to light the curriculum and course requirements for the B.A degree offered in the US.

The B.A. course, in most cases is comprised of general education, core, major, and elective requirements. In many programs, students can select specific concentrations within a degree program or they can opt for a general program. Students seeking a Bachelor’s degree may also elect a “minor”. Any course that is not used to fulfill core or major requirements is known as a minor. So, you can study more subjects than just completing your degree.

Some of the B.A. programs in the US are:

• Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
• Bachelor of Art in Education
• Information Technology
• Legal Studies
• Management
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Travel and Tourism Management

Another difference between the B.A. program in the US and that in countries like India is the course duration. The B.A. program in the US in four years in duration, while that in countries like India, it is three years in duration.

The course curriculum is divided into General Education and Core subjects. A student must earn the minimum number of credits in both, General as well as Core education to obtain a degree.



General Education in the B.A program in the US includes subjects like:

• English Composition
• Social Sciences
• Mathematics
• History
• Humanities
• Literature
• Political Science

While the core courses vary, depending the course that one has undertaken.