I think it's good to offer more options, but the focus on BA/BS in the US is weird. In the UK, it was common circa-2000 for:
1. BSc, BEng, MSc monikers to be meaningless across universities, but to be used consistently at the establishment.
2. Multiple degree paths to be available that went from something advertised as computer science to computer engineering.
3. A straightforward path directly into master's level computer science education.
You couldn't make an assessment based on BS vs BA because the curriculum may be similar in both cases. Oxford used BA whereas Durham used BS with both producing solid graduates that can't be differentiated in most work (further research or industry.)
My experience in the US is that hiring has kind of perverted the nature of discussions like these. The focus is on a few select algorithms and maths courses whereas the folks who've done the systems work are arguably better prepared for many real world tech roles. The last half of your degree has to be more interesting and reflective of the individual, right?
So my experience in the US for employment is that nobody notices or cares if you have a BA or BS, except possibly in unusual cases (my school actually offered a “Bachelor of Science in Theater”). So I don’t think there’s much of a “focus” in the US. There’s a loose set of conventions which aren’t nearly as important as the actual major, and are mostly reflective of internal structures and programs at the university.
MA versus MS is different (I think similar to the difference between a M.Phil versus an M.Sc). But I’ve never seen anyone dwell much on BA/BS.
1. BSc, BEng, MSc monikers to be meaningless across universities, but to be used consistently at the establishment.
2. Multiple degree paths to be available that went from something advertised as computer science to computer engineering.
3. A straightforward path directly into master's level computer science education.
You couldn't make an assessment based on BS vs BA because the curriculum may be similar in both cases. Oxford used BA whereas Durham used BS with both producing solid graduates that can't be differentiated in most work (further research or industry.)
My experience in the US is that hiring has kind of perverted the nature of discussions like these. The focus is on a few select algorithms and maths courses whereas the folks who've done the systems work are arguably better prepared for many real world tech roles. The last half of your degree has to be more interesting and reflective of the individual, right?