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The Role of Liberal Arts in Your Future

A liberal arts education refers to studies in a college or university intended to provide general knowledge and develop intellectual capacities. This type of education can prepare you for many demanding fields in today's workplace.

A liberal arts education:

  • Prepares students to work in a variety of jobs. This is different from other types of education where students develop professional or vocational skills for a specific job.
  • Degree is appealing to employers. Liberal arts graduates are attractive to employers because they have developed the skills necessary to adapt in an ever-changing workforce. Many employers know that a liberal arts education prepares students for successful careers. Employers desire transferable skills, skills employees take with them to any job, such as written and verbal communication skills, the ability to solve complex problems, to work well with others, and to adapt in a changing workplace. These transferable skills are characteristic of a liberal arts education.
  • Provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in health care, law, business, or other fields. Graduate schools look for candidates who will succeed in graduate-level study. Candidates with a liberal arts background are appealing, because they demonstrate an ability to learn and succeed.
  • Creates graduates who are equipped with the skills to become valuable community members. Above all, keep in mind that the value of a liberal arts education goes far beyond its economic value. Graduates understand problems, generate solutions, and communicate those solutions to others. In many ways, a liberal arts education is education for life— it prepares graduates who can adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world.

Liberal arts resources

The Benefits of a Liberal Arts Education
Read an admission counselor's views on the pros of a liberal arts education.

Liberal Arts Education Prepares Students for Work and Life
Learn why a liberal arts education is valuable and marketable in today's society, according to the Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC).

What is Liberal Education?
Defines Liberal Education's approach to learning. Describes often-confused terms. Provides a comparison of Essential Learning Outcomes for 20th and 21st century learners.

Ashland University's What Can I Do with a Major In...?
In an attempt to provide students with a better understanding of career options and possibilities, the Ashland University Career Development Center has created "What Can I Do With A Major In. . ." fact sheets for each major. Each fact sheet contains transferrable skills, possible career options, experiential education and more.

Find information about fields for liberal arts majors on ISEEK:

Liberal Arts Skills That Are Most Useful in Careers
A short list of the most useful skills gained by liberal arts graduates.

Ten Ways to Market Your Liberal Arts Degree
This article will give you some ideas of how to market yourself to employers as a liberal-arts graduate.