 A liberal arts education refers to studies in a college or university intended to provide general knowledge and develop intellectual capacities. 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.
A liberal arts college is an institution of higher education that emphasizes a liberal arts education. Students at these colleges usually have broad exposure to the liberal arts, while focusing on a topic they are particularly interested in. This focus is commonly referred to as a major. Some examples of liberal arts majors include:
- Biology, Chemistry, Physics and other Sciences
- History, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology and other Social Sciences
- Liberal Studies
- Literature and other Humanities
- Spanish, French, German, Russian and other Languages
 Students with a liberal arts education are prepared for today's evolving world of work. Liberal arts graduates are attractive to employers because they have developed the skills necessary to adapt in an ever-changing workforce. Yet many individuals do not understand what a liberal arts education is, why it is appealing to employers, or how students can prepare for careers related to liberal arts.
A liberal arts education can also provide an excellent foundation for students who wish to pursue 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.
Above all, keep in mind that the value of a liberal arts education goes far beyond its economic value. Liberal arts graduates are equipped with the skills to become valuable community members. They 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.
Here are just a few of the possible careers that a liberal arts degree may lead to:
Anthropologists
 study the origin and the physical, social, and cultural development and behavior of humans. They may study the way of life, archaeological remains, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. Some compare the customs, values, and social patterns of different cultures. Anthropologists usually concentrate in sociocultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, or biophysical anthropology. Sociocultural anthropologists study the customs, cultures, and social lives of groups in settings that vary from unindustrialized societies to modern urban centers.
Archaeologists
recover and examine material evidence, such as ruins, tools, and pottery remaining from past human cultures, in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations. Linguistic anthropologists study the role of, and changes in, language over time in various cultures. Biophysical anthropologists study the evolution of the human body, look for the earliest evidences of human life, and analyze how culture and biology influence one another. Most anthropologists specialize in a particular region of the world.
Geographers
 analyze distributions of physical and cultural phenomena on local, regional, continental, and global scales. Economic geographers study the distribution of resources and economic activities. Political geographers are concerned with the relationship of geography to political phenomena, whereas cultural geographers study the geography of cultural phenomena. Physical geographers study variations in climate, vegetation, soil, and landforms and their implications for human activity. Urban and transportation geographers study cities and metropolitan areas, while regional geographers study the physical, economic, political, and cultural characteristics of regions ranging in size from a congressional district to entire continents. Medical geographers study health-care delivery systems, epidemiology (the study of the causes and control of epidemics), and the effect of the environment on health. (Some occupational classification systems include geographers under physical scientists rather than social scientists.)
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Historians
research, analyze, and interpret the past. They use many Sources of Additional Information in their research, including government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, and unpublished manuscripts such as personal diaries and letters. Historians usually specialize in a country or region, a particular period, or a particular field, such as social, intellectual, cultural, political, or diplomatic history. Biographers collect detailed information on individuals. Other historians help study and preserve archival materials, artifacts, and historic buildings and sites.
Political scientists
 study the origin, development, and operation of political systems and public policy. They conduct research on a wide range of subjects, such as relations between the United States and other countries, the institutions and political life of nations, the politics of small towns or a major metropolis, and the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. Studying topics such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, ideology, and public policy, they analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. Depending on the topic, a political scientist might conduct a public-opinion survey, analyze election results, analyze public documents, or interview public officials.
Sociologists
study society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. They also study the behavior of, and interaction among, groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members. Sociologists are concerned with the characteristics of social groups, organizations, and institutions; the ways individuals are affected by each other and by the groups to which they belong; and the effect of social traits such as sex, age, or race on a person’s daily life. The results of sociological research aid educators, lawmakers, administrators, and others interested in resolving social problems and formulating public policy.
Psychologists
study the human mind and human behavior. Research psychologists investigate the physical, cognitive, emotional, or social aspects of human behavior. Psychologists in health service provider fields provide mental health care in hospitals, clinics, schools, or private settings. Psychologists employed in applied settings such as business, industry, government or non-profits provide training, conduct research, design systems, and act as advocates for psychology.
Earnings Potential
Median annual earnings of social scientists (excluding Economists, market and survey researchers, psychologists, and urban and regional planners) were $52,280 in 2002. Anthropologists and archeologists had median annual earnings of $38,620; geographers, $53,420; historians, $42,030; political scientists, $80,560; and sociologists, $53,160.
What career opportunities does Liberal Arts offer?
Wondering what kind of careers there are in Liberal Arts? You have to check out our list of careers that you can enjoy. Go now
What schools offer Liberal Arts programs?
Different schools have different approaches to the Liberal Arts education. If you are interested in the Liberal Arts network, please contact the universities listed in our database for information.
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