Should I get a BA in Economics or a BS in Economics? Which degree path would allow me to get my MBA and not only go into the financial sector, but the government and international development sector as well?
I'm a freshman in college and I'm an economics major but I'm still unsure as to which degree path would best be suited to my goals. #business #finance #economics #investment-management #nonprofits #mba #international-development #economic-development
5 answers
Gary’s Answer
Hi,
To be honest, I do not know a lot about Economics degrees or the career field but I did find this for you, hope it helps:
http://classroom.synonym.com/better-ba-bs-economics-5410.html
B.S. vs. B.A.
Both the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Arts are typical four-year college degrees requiring anywhere from 120 to 180 course credit hours, depending on what college you attend. The key difference between the two is that the B.S. requires more courses within the major -- anywhere from 40 to 90 -- while the B.A. requires more general education courses, including foreign language and fine arts. The B.S. also typically requires a greater percentage of advanced courses at the 300 or 400 level within the major.
Advantages of a B.S.
Because the B.S. requires more advanced study within the field of economics, it gives students the chance to develop a deep knowledge of the field as well as specialized practical skills, which can provide a real advantage for students hoping to transition immediately into business or finance following college. In fact, the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business advocates the B.S. in economics just for this reason: “At Wharton you will learn how to apply business methods and economic theory to real-world problems.” Wharton’s B.S. in economics allows students to focus in finance, marketing or management, and Forbes has observed that most Fortune 500 CEOs begin their careers in finance.
Advantages of a B.A.
The B.A. offers the kind of broad education that business schools typically value in MBA candidates, and these broader education demands make it easier for students to double major. Since most businesses these days are driven by technology, a second major in computer science or engineering could significantly improve the B.A. candidate’s expertise and profile for future career prospects. A second major in statistics or applied math might also be helpful. Additionally, because of the economy’s increasing globalization, a second major or minor in a critical foreign language, such as Chinese, Arabic or Spanish, would be an asset.
Rose’s Answer
You can get a Bachelor's degree in any field prior to entering business school. It can be easier if your major was related to business and economics, but some of the smartest MBAs I know had been in health and engineering careers.
Richard’s Answer
For MBA programs, BA/BS distinctions will matter little compared to leadership and work experiences.
Marie-France’s Answer
I would suggest the BS in Economics if you want to restrict your options to the few ones you've listed. The BA in Economics would provide you with a greater flexibility to change to another field if you end up changing your mind. However, any one of them will allow you to go for your MBA. Hope this helps.