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What is a Liberal Arts Education?

A liberal arts education refers to college studies that provide general knowledge and develop intellectual ability. This type of education can prepare you for many 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. Employers like liberal arts graduates because they have the skills necessary to adapt in a changing workplace. Employers desire transferable skills (skills employees take with them to any job) typical of a liberal arts education. These include written and verbal communication skills and the ability to solve complex problems and work well with others.
  • 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. Students with a liberal arts background are appealing, because they demonstrate an ability to learn across a diverse field of studies.
  • Creates graduates who are equipped with the skills to become valuable community members. 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

10 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.

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.

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).

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

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

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.

Find information about fields for liberal arts majors on ISEEK: