Should a therapist get a BA or BS?

For becoming a therapist, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology often provides a stronger foundation with more science/stats for grad school, but a Bachelor of Arts (BA) is also excellent, especially if you enjoy liberal arts; the core psychology coursework overlaps significantly, and the best choice depends on your interests, as both prepare you for master's/doctoral programs, which are required for licensure, with the BS favoring research/clinical paths and the BA broader applications like social work.

Is a BA or BS better for psychology if you want to be a therapist?

Ultimately, it entirely depends on you with what you want to do with your psych background. If you like to be hands on and do research, then opt for a BS which can help you in a field like biopsychology,biochem, or forensics. If you like the humanities aspect and want to become a therapist, then BA.

Is a BS more respected than a BA?

No, a Bachelor of Science (BS) isn't inherently more respected than a Bachelor of Arts (BA); both are respected degrees, with the better choice depending on your career goals and interests, as a BS offers a more specialized, technical focus, while a BA provides a broader, liberal arts education. Employers often value the specific skills and knowledge gained, not just the degree title, though a BS might be preferred for highly technical or lab-based roles, and a BA for fields emphasizing communication and diverse perspectives. 

What is the best degree for a therapist?

The best degrees to become a therapist are master's degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), or Social Work (MSW), following a bachelor's in psychology or a related field, but a doctorate (PhD/PsyD) is needed for licensed psychologists. Your choice depends on your focus (individuals, families, social systems) and desired career path, but all paths require graduate study and state licensure. 

What is better, BA or BS in psychology?

Choose a B.A. in Psychology for broader liberal arts, careers in social work, marketing, or general business, focusing on human behavior and culture; opt for a B.S. in Psychology if you're headed for research, healthcare (like medicine), or clinical psychology, as it emphasizes math, science, statistics, and lab work, offering a stronger foundation for graduate studies in those specific, analytical paths. Both prepare you for many roles, but the B.S. provides deeper scientific/technical skills, while the B.A. offers more flexibility in electives. 

Is a Psychology Degree for Me?

Does a BA or BS in Psychology pay more?

Those with a bachelor of science in psychology report a median pay of $69,000 per year, according to September 2025 data from Payscale. However, those with a bachelor of arts in psychology earn a median pay of $72,000 per year, based on August 2025 Payscale data.

What's better, a BA or BS degree?

Neither a Bachelor of Arts (BA) nor a Bachelor of Science (BS) is inherently "better"; the best choice depends on your career goals, interests, and the specific major, with BAs generally offering broader liberal arts/humanities focus and flexibility (critical thinking, writing) while BS degrees provide deeper technical, math, and research training, preparing you for specialized careers or advanced STEM graduate studies. A BS often involves more core science/math courses, whereas a BA includes more humanities, though the actual difference varies by university and major. 

What type of therapist is most in demand?

Therapists specializing in trauma, substance abuse, and child/adolescent mental health, often using modalities like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), are in extremely high demand, alongside marriage and family therapists and those providing telehealth services, driven by increased awareness, global events, and expanded mental healthcare access. 

What bachelor's degree to become a therapist?

A bachelor's degree (from Medieval Latin baccalaureus; or baccalaureate, from Modern Latin baccalaureatus) is an undergraduate degree awarded by higher education institutions upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years (depending on the institution and academic discipline).

What kind of therapist gets the most money?

The highest-paying therapist jobs often involve specialized clinical roles or private practice, with Psychiatrists (medical doctors specializing in mental health) and Neuropsychologists leading earnings, followed by Industrial-Organizational Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists in private practice, and Forensic Psychologists, all potentially reaching six figures or more through expertise, high demand, and specialized settings like affluent areas or corporate environments.
 

Do employers prefer BA or BS?

Employers generally care more about your major, skills, and experience than the BA vs. BS distinction, but a Bachelor of Science (BS) can be crucial in technical fields (like engineering or hard sciences) for signaling deeper quantitative/lab skills, while a Bachelor of Arts (BA) is fine for broader roles, though the core difference lies in course focus (liberal arts vs. technical). A BS often includes more math/science/lab work, which can be preferred or required for STEM jobs, but otherwise, your portfolio, internships, and proven abilities often outweigh the "A" or "S". 

Is a BA or BS harder to get?

Neither a BA nor a BS is inherently "harder"; their difficulty depends on your strengths, as a BS typically requires more math/science/technical courses, while a BA demands more writing, analysis, and humanities, with the harder degree being the one that challenges your personal aptitudes more. A BS offers a more structured, technical path, whereas a BA provides broader liberal arts exploration, but both are rigorous in different ways, with the specific courses and your interest in the subject being the biggest factors. 

Do medical schools prefer BA or BS?

There's a misconception that students should major in biology or another science if they want to get into medical school. In fact, there's no required or even preferred majors that medical schools are looking for. Consider majoring in whatever interests you; this will keep you engaged and motivated during undergrad.

Do you need a BA to become a therapist?

To become a therapist, you'll need to start your higher education with a bachelor's degree, which is often referred to as a four-year degree. A graduate degree is needed as well. The time it takes to get a master's degree varies by school and your pacing, but they are typically known to take at least two years.

Is a BA or BS more respected?

Neither a Bachelor of Arts (BA) nor a Bachelor of Science (BS) is inherently more respected; they are equally valuable degrees, but their difference lies in curriculum focus, with BS degrees often emphasizing math/science/technical skills (lab work, deeper focus) and BA degrees offering broader liberal arts/humanities, though the specific prestige depends on the major, university, your career goals, and the specific courses you took, not just the letter suffix. Employers and grad schools care more about your grades, experiences (like internships), and the rigor of your coursework within your chosen field, notes this Quora post and this SoFi article. 

Can I be a counselor with a BA in psychology?

Becoming a mental health counselor often requires a master's degree and practical experience—but some counseling psychology jobs can be obtained with a bachelor's degree. Private practice also requires state licensure and continuing education.

Is a BA or BS better for therapists?

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

For those considering a BA or BS for clinical psychology, a BS is often the preferred choice as it prepares learners for clinical professions.

What degree does a therapist usually have?

Most therapists hold a master's degree in a mental health field like counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy, which is essential for licensure to diagnose and treat clients, though some specialized roles (like clinical psychologists) require a doctorate (Ph.D. or Psy.D.). A bachelor's degree in psychology or a related social science is the first step, followed by graduate school and supervised clinical experience. 

Is a BA degree worth it?

Having a bachelor's degree opens up rewarding opportunities that might have otherwise been inaccessible. For example, college graduates see 57% more job opportunities than non-graduates. A degree enables you to qualify for these additional opportunities and offers you more flexibility in where you choose to work.

What is the 2 year rule for therapists?

The "2-year rule" in therapy refers to the common ethical guideline, especially from the American Psychological Association (APA), prohibiting therapists from engaging in sexual or romantic relationships with former clients for at least two years after therapy ends; after this period, the therapist carries the burden of proving such a relationship isn't exploitative, considering factors like the therapy's intensity, client vulnerability, and power dynamics, as these relationships are generally discouraged due to potential harm and persistent imbalances. 

What jobs make $3,000 a month without a degree?

You can earn $3,000 a month without a degree in roles like Dental/Medical Assistant (with short training), skilled trades (Electrician, HVAC), Delivery Driver (UPS, FedEx), specialized sales, Real Estate Agent, and some tech roles like AI Trainer or Medical Coder, often requiring certifications, apprenticeships, or a strong work ethic for entry, with remote options available in customer service or data entry if you have strong computer skills, notes www.nysmda.com, Tallo, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/3000-A-Month-Jobs-No-Degree. 

Can you make 150k as a therapist?

Private practice offers the highest earning potential: Licensed therapists who successfully build private practices can earn $100,000-$150,000+ annually, but this requires strong business skills, marketing ability, and typically takes 3-7 years to achieve.

Do employers care about BA or BS?

Employers generally care more about your major, skills, and experience than the BA vs. BS distinction, but a Bachelor of Science (BS) can be crucial in technical fields (like engineering or hard sciences) for signaling deeper quantitative/lab skills, while a Bachelor of Arts (BA) is fine for broader roles, though the core difference lies in course focus (liberal arts vs. technical). A BS often includes more math/science/lab work, which can be preferred or required for STEM jobs, but otherwise, your portfolio, internships, and proven abilities often outweigh the "A" or "S". 

Is it harder to get a BS or BA?

The degrees are not generally compared on a scale of "difficulty," but rather on different types of rigor. A BS is typically more technically rigorous, requiring a greater number of advanced math, science, and lab hours.

Is BS equal to BA?

Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees are equivalent undergraduate degrees—one is not more advanced than the other. BS degree programs include general education requirements, but their curricula typically include more mandatory courses directly tied to the field of study than a BA program would.