It’s possible that a liberal arts degree is defined what it isn’t. Students who pursue liberal arts degrees are not interested in science, mathematics, or business. They are also less likely to obtain degrees that focus on the production or creation of fine arts, such as music or visual arts (though this may vary in definition). Instead, these degrees tend to concentrate on what are known as liberal arts subjects, such as psychology, philosophy, history, literature, languages, and art appreciation (film studies, art history). A liberal arts degree also demonstrates that students have a broad base of knowledge in a variety of subjects and are well-rounded students.
The liberal arts will be studied to some extent most people who pursue a four-year college degree. As part of their graduation requirements, they’ll take some literature and writing classes, as well as some history and philosophy. Liberal arts degrees can be obtained when study becomes more intensive and people choose to focus on one art form in particular, such as philosophy, history, or the humanities.
Many colleges offer Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees, and some also offer Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees; a BS degree may be preferable if you want to pursue a career in one of the hard sciences. Some colleges do not provide this option, and all graduates receive a BA. Only if the focus was solely on liberal arts is this considered a liberal arts degree. A Bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, which may take a broad view of the liberal arts and focus on all of them or how all of them apply to viewing the world, is another option that a few colleges may offer. Most people who graduate, however, earn a de facto liberal arts degree unless science, business, or mathematics were the main subjects studied.
Thus, the only way to earn a liberal arts degree is to major in a subject that is considered one of the liberal arts, and the options may be broad or narrow depending on the college and the departments it offers. Majors in foreign languages, history, philosophy, humanities, psychology, and literature are typically available at most larger colleges and state schools (which would commonly be called English). These are all fascinating majors that will necessitate strong writing skills and, obviously, a passion for the subject matter. People who keep their interest in a liberal art may want to pursue a higher level degree, such as a Master’s degree or a PhD, in their chosen field.
One of the most important considerations for most people pursuing a liberal arts degree is how the degree will lead to a career. People may go on to receive teacher training so that they can share their passion with students in the classroom. Higher education could lead to a career as a college professor. Some people use their strong writing skills to go on to study law or pursue counseling degrees so they can work as therapists.
A four-year liberal arts degree, on the other hand, may not qualify people for much unless they can apply what they’ve learned to other fields. This is certainly a possibility; for example, English students could work as book publishers and editors. Some professionals argue that liberal arts degrees indicate that people have learned to communicate effectively, and that they may be able to find entry-level work in a variety of businesses and environments that only lightly or not at all focus on their major. Although the well-rounded student may have some advantages, it may be difficult to find work without first specializing in a specific field.