WHAT ARE “LIBERAL ARTS”?

If you are starting a college search process, you have undoubtably heard the term “Liberal Arts”. Liberal arts colleges give students access to a wide range of academic subjects and career options. This broad-based area of study includes the arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics. Students have a huge array of possibilities available to them, including many in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and business.

Liberal arts is a style of education that enables students to explore wide-ranging concepts and learn transferable skills. The study of liberal arts began in ancient Greece, when the Greeks combined lessons in communication and thinking skills to help students become good citizens. Since then, the curriculum has grown to include a wider range of subjects, from art and music to mathematics and chemistry.

LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

The colleges expose students to many academic subjects by offering a mix of required and elective courses. While students at liberal arts colleges usually earn a degree in a specific subject area, like English or biology, the combination of courses helps them master transferable skills like problem solving, critical thinking, and communication. Most importantly, students learn to make connections between different subject areas and understand how diverse topics fit together. 

Instead of focusing their degree programs on skills for a specific job, liberal arts colleges encourage students to explore new options and get involved in their communities. Some even allow students to design their own interdisciplinary degrees tailored to their personal interests. For example, if you enjoy both biology and psychology, you might create a bachelor’s degree in human development program, which lets you concentrate on both disciplines.

Through campus events, public spaces, clubs, and cross-disciplinary classes, liberal arts colleges encourage students on different tracks to interact with and learn from each other. The connections and opportunities you get from these reputable programs may help launch your career.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS

Common, valuable skills include communication, problem solving, and critical thinking. Students learn how multiple academic disciplines interact and influence each other. This expertise can help attain jobs in a range of industries including science, education, politics, art, and business, as a few. 

OTHER BENEFITS CAN INCLUDE

·       Flexibility to work in many different industries

·       A wide range of adaptable skills that appeal to many types of employers

·       A strong foundation for graduate study in a master’s degree or PhD program

·       The biggest benefit of a liberal arts degree is versatility. Students who study liberal arts go on to become business leaders, teachers, artists, politicians, and other contributing members of their communities.

TYPES OF DEGREES

Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees cover humanities and social sciences liberal arts majors, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degrees include artistic fields like creative writing or acting, and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees are awarded for technical fields such as business, math, and the sciences. 

POPULAR MAJORS

·       Biology — the inner workings of living creatures through science, math, and history.

·       Communications -- key skills to work in industries such as journalism, public relations, advertising, etc.

·     Creative writing — crafting stories and communication through written word. Classes in psychology, philosophy, history, and English can help improve these areas.

·       Fine art — applying vision and creativity while learning to actually create art. History, psychology, geometry, and communications classes can also help art students improve creativity. 

·       History — the events and situations that impact our world, from wars to political movements. Political science, sociology, psychology, and religious studies.

·       Political science — the systems of government and its institutions, practices, and relationships. Will explore aspects of psychology, economics, history, and sociology.

·       Psychology — how humans think and understand factors that influence our brains and behavior, while also learning sociology, history, art, biology, and statistics.

·       Sociology — how societies are structured and how groups of people interact. History, political science, art, and math.

JOB AVAILABILITY

Understanding “Soft Skills” is essential to being a good leader, communicator, and critical thinker, and are often developed in general education courses. The degree prepares students for a wide range of jobs across many industries. Some students could earn a general liberal arts or humanities degree, while others may choose a more focused, but still well-rounded, “liberal arts” major. 

COMMON TRAITS EMPLOYERS SAY THEY VALUE

·       Eagerness to tackle unknown areas

·       Ability to solve problems that require different approaches to solutions

·       Well-honed analytic methods

·       Understanding and having an awareness of group dynamics

·       Ability to empathize, understand, inspire, and persuade others

POSSIBLE CAREERS AND ASSOCIATED MAJORS

Here are just a few examples of possible careers and some fields they may include:

·       Business manager — economics, philosophy sociology

·       Curator or librarian — art history, classics, history, languages

·       Human resources professional — communications, psychology, sociology

·       Lawyer — American studies, history, political science

·       Marketing and public relations associate — communications, journalism, sociology

·       Politician — American studies, classics, communications

With skills in critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and connection building, graduates are well-equipped for a wide range of internship opportunities, especially if you are unsure what you want to do when you graduate. Internships are a great way to test out possible careers and see it “day to day”.

After you graduate, there are many possible jobs for liberal arts majors, and employers often recognize the value of the education. The broad-based education you can gain as a student can qualify you for a range of jobs across many industries.