Why should you get a liberal arts degree? When looking at college degree options, you may wonder whether you should go to a liberal arts school or pursue a more technical college degree. With the technical career field changing quickly in today’s environment and some specialized degrees quickly becoming out of date, many people feel a liberal arts college degree provides the best broad base of knowledge while still giving the option for further specialized training. Liberal arts universities seek to provide students with a comprehensive course of study, providing them with skills to succeed in several paths in life, while also giving specific instruction in a particular degree.
Pursuing a Degree in General Studies
You enjoy math. You enjoy literature. You enjoy languages. You want a degree that encompasses all of those subjects and gives you opportunity to pursue a wide array of career choices. Perhaps, you should consider a degree in general studies, sometimes called humanities. This degree, one of the hallmarks of a liberal arts university, lets you study a wide array subjects, allowing you to either go directly into a career or pursue further, specific study as your interests dictate.
Other Liberal Arts College Degree Options
Many people feel that, with the liberal arts focus on general knowledge, options are limited at a liberal arts college. However, within this broader base of knowledge, a wealth of specific degrees exist. Most liberal arts colleges provide a strong emphasis on the arts--English literature, languages and literature in languages other than English), and visual and spoken art (Art History, Speech, etc). A more comprehensive list of some options follows:
- American Studies
- Anthropology
- Art History
- Languages and Literature
- Languages other than English--Spanish, German, French, etc.
- English Literature
- French Literature
- Spanish culture
- General Studies
- Sciences--biology, physics, pre-med, chemistry
Of course, specific courses and degrees will differ from college to college. Choosing what to study will depend on your own preference and what the school of your choice offers. However, the overall emphasis on imparting a full spectrum of knowledge remains the same in every true liberal arts institution. Because of this emphasis, you will most likely have the opportunity to study more subjects than just those offered in your major. In fact, to provide a more fully enriched education, the subjects listed above are generally offered as electives as well as degrees.
