CIP Codes Warning

[spohara]

BALS isn't really a good choice for immigrants or government workers anyway. Both immigration and government/military will want a subject degree of some kind (exactly which kind will depend on the specific scenario). It's a check-the-box degree that works for an American who has no ambitions to work in the government or abroad. It's not really valid elsewhere, IMO, no matter where it comes from.

99% sure that BALS is a BA Humanities, according to the CIP code page, though. Maybe a BA Social Sciences?

I wouldn't blanketly say that BALS is not a good option for government.  I'd like to see more information on how CIP applies to government.  The way most government job series are written say a bachelors degree in "x"  OR a bachelors degree with at least 24 hours in "X,Y,Z" courses equivalent to a major in the subject.  I've yet to see CIP codes mentioned in any announcement or job series writeup.  This may be an agency specific thing, or for very limited job series (for example, engineering degree requirements often must be ABET).  I can also attest to the fact that for series' that don't require a degree, it is still looked upon very favorably by hiring managers.