The value of good communication and critical thinking skills can go a long way. Earning a liberal arts degree will hone these skills and much more. Although there are common misconceptions surrounding a degree in liberal arts, there are so many job opportunities and possibilities for those who hold these degrees. The truth about liberal arts is that they exist across all subject matter. As such, liberal arts degree-holders can work in virtually any industry.
If you’ve found yourself asking, “What is a liberal arts degree?” here is everything you need to know about it. We will cover the definition, including majors, job opportunities, what you can expect from the degree program, and if it’s all worth it!
What Does Liberal Arts Mean?
Liberal arts is a broad term that covers subjects from theatre and English to economics and physics. Classically speaking, liberal arts include: English, philosophy, political science, and psychology.
No matter what one majors in, the two primary focuses within this degree include: communication and critical thinking.
A degree in liberal arts opens the door to countless job opportunities. More often than not, those who major in the liberal arts enjoy sharing good communication, connecting with people, giving back, and pursuing further education.
A liberal arts degree doesn’t mean that science and math classes are out of the picture. Some of the classes you can expect to take when earning your degree may include:
Literature
Philosophy
Art
Religion
History
Music
World History
Biology
Psychology
Physics
Statistics
Anthropology
It’s a common misconception that those who want to work in math and science cannot study liberal arts. In truth, the STEM field also has careers in marketing, sales, or account management where a graduate with a liberal arts degree is relevant.
Jobs for Liberal Arts Degree Holders
When you graduate with a liberal arts degree, you will have many career opportunities.
Some potential majors include:
Anthropology
Chemistry
Economics
English
Finance
History
International Studies
Psychology
Statistics
These can lead to careers in so many different fields:
Education: With a liberal arts degree, you can become a teacher. You can also choose to get a Master’s in Education and work in school administration or as a professor in a college.
Law: While you’ll have to attend law school and pass the BAR to become a lawyer, most prospective lawyers major in Political Science, International Studies, Psychology, English, or a similar liberal arts major to prepare.
Advertisement: Ever thought about working at an agency or for a business in advertising? Liberal arts degrees like literature, journalism, sociology, or psychology can prepare you to work in marketing, public relations, advertising, and marketing.
Finance: Most employers who recruit for financial teams or accountants will require a degree in finance, economics, or math.
Benefits of Liberal Arts Degrees
Besides earning a degree for a good job placement, liberal arts degrees provide so many benefits that also help in life overall. When choosing to earn a liberal arts degree, the path to success and careers may be less clear-cut than those who major in Electrical Engineering, for example.
However, the job market appreciates the following skills set that liberal arts majors are bound to hone:
Personal branding: Those with a liberal arts degree will want to spend some time building their own personal brand. Because many positions fall into less defined roles, the opportunity to tell stories and build portfolios can lead to better paying and higher tiered jobs.
Creative thinking: The coursework you take while earning your liberal arts degree will require critical thinking skills. When you enter the workplace, this will be one of the most important skills to have to work with others and solve problems. Since a lot of work is being aided by technology and automation, critical thinking skills can set you apart.
Multidisciplinary approach: A liberal arts degree is diversified in its coursework. Therefore, you will not only be able to learn what interests and strengths you already possess, but you will also be able to expand your world view and perspectives. This will help to also further your problem-solving abilities.
Good communication: An education in liberal arts requires good written and verbal communication skills. The subject matter explores the human experience and allows for students to share their thoughts and findings.
Is a Liberal Arts Degree Worth It?
A liberal arts degree is most definitely worth it!
In general, graduates earn more than their non-graduate counterparts. More specifically, liberal arts provides students with an array of skills that are necessary in today’s changing economy.
While automation and technology are rapidly evolving, the need for human resources does not fully wane. Instead, the positions that are required will shift towards those with critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills.
How to Choose a Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts Program
Choosing a college major isn’t a simple decision. You’ll be investing time, money, and your vision of the future by doing so. Some of the best ways to decide what to study include working backwards from your goal.
For example, if you want to become a lawyer, you should consider degrees that are relevant and will prepare you for law school. You should also consider the location of the program you want to attend and the feasibility.
If cost or time are potential challenges when choosing your degree program, it’s worthwhile to consider an online university.
Online universities like the University of the People provide a tuition-free alternative to earning your liberal arts degree. Our programs include: Education, Health Science, Computer Science, and Business Administration. The entirely online program means that you can set your school schedule as you see fit.
A bachelor’s degree will prepare you for your future and a multitude of job opportunities. It may even prepare you for the types of jobs that don’t yet exist because of the skill sets you learn.
Whether you choose to earn your degree online or at a traditional college campus, a liberal arts degree will prepare you with multidisciplinary skills and knowledge.
At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone. Read More
