Job Discussion Forums

[Zimmerman]

I've noticed that many of the jobs ask for a BA in English, as well as other things. I have a BS, but my major was in English. Does anyone know if this would make a difference to the employers?

[nomad soul]

[veiledsentiments]

When I got my first degree... in pre-historic times, education degrees were usually BSc. In the US, any differences that may have ever existed between BA or BSc have been muddied.

VS

[Sirens of Cyprus]

who gives a bs in english?

[johnslat]

Dear Sirens of Cyprus,

"who gives a bs in english?"

At least at some point, I think all of us probably do.

Regards,
John

[Sirens of Cyprus]

http://www.numl.edu.pk/english-bs-honors.html

here's one in pakistan. muslims love the word science

[veiledsentiments]

[Sirens of Cyprus]

In the world of real science, which includes physics, chemistry, etc., the BA is considered a degree for sissies because it requires less math or some easier version of physical chemistry or something.

Similarly, wannabe English teachers often get a BS in Education, with English as a teaching field. That way they can take fewer Engish courses, which are way more difficult than education courses. But these people still like to refer to themselves as "English majors." They are not.

[nomad soul]

[fladude]

[Sirens of Cyprus]

I don't know if it's a Muslim thing or an Arabic translation thing, but a lot of my students in the Middle East insist on using the word science very broadly to mean knowledge or training or wisdom the like.

[veiledsentiments]

I'd say that the main difference is whether one wants to ever have even a semi decent job or not. You need the education degree to get the state certificate to teach English in US schools. Or you can get a pure lit degree and learn to say "did you want fries with that?"

VS

[Sirens of Cyprus]

You only need to be certified to teach children if that's what you want to do and the job requires it. But even if you do, you don't need a BS in Education to get certified. You can get your BA in English and take the certification courses as electives. A BA in English with a teaching certificate would be more difficult than a BS in Education with a teaching field in English.

[veiledsentiments]

Huh? You also need to be certified for Secondary Education. So, you take the few education/methodology courses along with all your lit hours... and do your student teaching the final semester... and leave with your certification.

And your college may call that a BSc in Secondary Education and you can walk into the classroom after 4 years. Or they may call it a BA. There is no set system in the US. Any university or college can call it whatever.

Or you can take the exact same lit courses... graduate in 4 years with nothing but a Lit degree. Go back and take a bevy of courses to get certification (see above "education/methodology courses")... and what about your student teaching? Whatever your state requires will come after graduation... while you are flipping burgers to pay the rent. Unless you extend for a couple semesters...

I suspect that you are ignoring the fact that every state in the US is different and makes their own rules. Generalizing about it is problematic as you can see. It could cause you to mislead people with misinformation.

VS

[VOM]

What's BS? (Chuckle!)