<p>So how much really does the type of degree for any specific major matters?</p>
<p>So for example, let's just use Math...</p>
<ol>
<li><p>BA Mathematics vs. BS Mathematics</p></li>
<li><p>BS Mathematics with Distinction (Honors) vs. BS Mathematics</p></li>
</ol>
<p>How much do each matter to employers and Grad school and general reputation....</p>
<p>In engineering, a BS vs BA is a big difference. In every state I know, a BA is not considered the same for licensing purposes as a BS. Also, many employers will not higher a BA. </p>
<p>In general, when schools offer a BA and a BS degree, they offer the BS degree as the “engineering degree” and the BA degree as “engineering light”. The BA requires fewer engineering hours, usually less math/science courses, and allows more electives and opportunities for double majors/minors. The BA exists so that students interested in professional programs (MBA, JD, MD) can get exposure to engineering (which professional schools like) without taking as many of the GPA-lowering classes as a traditional engineering program would normally require.</p>
<p>A BS in engineering and BEng are generally considered equivalent and schools offer one or the other. </p>
<p>An MS in engineering vs. MEng are usually different degrees, with one traditionally being a thesis-based master’s degree and one being a professional master’s degree (courses only). It actually varies from school to school which is thesis based and which is research based.</p>
<p>As for Math, go ask in the “Other Majors” forum. I can only speak for engineering.</p>
<p>If you plan on doing teaching (elementary,middle,high-school), then you take the B.A. in Math because it frees up credits so you can take the education courses from your school’s college of education. Usually the B.A. in Math requires about 2 to 4 less math courses and allows the student to take the non-calculus-based physics for their science requirement. This is one of the reasons why most engineering employers will not hire math grads with B.A. degrees…unless your school a) has a good rep b) only offers a B.A. degree and c) their B.A. degree is very similar to other top schools B.S. degree in Math.</p>
<p>It varies by school though. At the graduate level for instance, UCLA only offers a M.A. in math and has a highly-ranked graduate math program.</p>
<p>Having said ALL if that, if a student couples that B.A. in Math with a good concentration and/or dual major with computer science…they will still get hired.</p>
<p>Ok how about BS “With distinction” or “Honors”? How much does that really matter?</p>
<p>In terms of employers, grad school, and general reputation? Is it worth it to go for the “Honors” label?</p>
<p>“In terms of employers, grad school, and general reputation? Is it worth it to go for the “Honors” label?”</p>
<p>In terms of trying your best and getting the best grades you can…it is worth it to get the “Honors” label.</p>
<p>In the grand scheme of employment…it means very little.</p>
<p>Well in my school we have to take a set of classes I don’t want to take to be eligible for honors…I was wondering if it was worth to take that particular sequence for Honors…</p>
<p>a BS is beneficial if you actually want to continue on in mathematics. a BA would be more for going to law or business school or a change of field</p>
<p>Honors differ from school to school. At some schools, honors are solely determined by GPA. At some schools, you need to take a series of honors classes. At some schools, you need to complete a thesis. At some schools, they are handed out by faculty based on your perceived performance. At a number of schools, there are two sets of honors: Latin Honors (cum laude, etc) and English Honors (honors, high honors, etc.) and each set has different criteria (e.g. Latin Honors are GPA based and English Honors are handed out by faculty).</p>
<p>Does it really matter if you graduate “with honors” or not? I don’t think there’s a definitive answer. I can say that it won’t hurt you, though.</p>
<p>Well I mean I have a high enough GPA for honors, but I also have to take 3 extra classes and a thesis in the end if I want honors…would that be worth it?</p>
<p>How much rep am I losing really? BS in Mathematics vs. BS in Mathematics (with Distinction) ?</p>
<p>Do you have the room in your schedule to take the classes? If so, I would.</p>