Career Options for a Bachelor of Arts

• A Bachelor of Arts degree can lead to many careers.Marcy Maloy/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  A Bachelor of Arts degree is a valuable credential, providing training that can lead to employment in a large number of fields, depending on the specific major. The University of Texas at Austin, for example, lists more than 50 distinct majors, from African and African Diaspora studies to women's and gender studies. The core curriculum common to many B.A. degrees indicates to a prospective employer that the candidate has strong analytical skills and can communicate effectively in writing, regardless of specialization.
  
  

Careers in Art

• Core elements of the Bachelor of Art degree speak to artists and others who work in the field of art. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that job growth in this area is expected to grow at an average pace, with heavy competition for salaried and freelance positions: approximately 60 percent of professional artists and others in the field are self-employed.
  
  

Management Positions

• Most holders of the Bachelor of Arts degree, however, do not work in the arts. Careers in administration services management make good use of the skills developed in a B.A. program. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that competition will be intense for high-level management positions, but more opportunities will be available for entry-level positions.
  
  

Healthcare and Social Assistance

• Healthcare and social assistance is projected as the fastest-growing field for 2008-2018, with more than 4 million new jobs expected to open in this area. Graduates with a B.A. will be well-suited to take advantage of this area of growth, especially with specialization in majors related to health service delivery.
  
  

Greater Specialization

• Many Bachelor of Arts graduates find work in fields related to their major area of interest, but they are more likely to work in this field if they attain a graduate degree in this specialization. Many Bachelor of Arts graduates go on to get a master's degree, which can lead to a higher salary. In 2009, the average median salary for all workers was $774 per week, but master's degree holders took home $1,257.