An education in liberal arts does not train students for a specific job. However, it does prepare them for many areas of life by providing them with various employability skills. Liberal art students acquire the ability to think for themselves, learn to communicate effectively, and build a capacity for lifelong learning.
Associate in Liberal Arts
An associate's degree may help students by giving them a foundation for further studies in several other fields. It may also lead to a variety of jobs that require general education. Students may choose to earn an associate in liberal arts degree for cultural enrichment. An associate's degree covers several broad areas. The degree may emphasize foreign languages, science, mathematics, literature, economics, and history. Students also complete courses in sociology, psychology, philosophy, arts, and humanities.
Besides the general liberal arts degree, concentrations in specific areas are offered. Some of the liberal arts concentrations include fine arts, music, theatre, cinematic arts, international commerce, and global studies. Liberal arts degrees may also serve as an option to prepare for graduate and professional degrees such as law and medicine.
Coursework
Since liberal arts is a broad field, coursework may vary greatly from one school to another; however, students usually complete core courses that may be similar to these:
-
Cross-Cultural Perspectives
-
Historical Contexts & Literature
-
Personal & Organizational Ethics
-
Communication Theory
-
Advanced Communications in Society
-
The Environment & the Human Spirit
-
Science & Culture
-
Research Methods for the Humanities
Online Education
Students, who are unable to get to a campus to attend classes, may choose online education to earn their associate's degree. Online education gives students a lot of control over their time. They are able to learn at their own pace and create their own study schedule. Besides, online programs are cost effective as students do not need to pay for commuting, textbooks, or dorm room accommodation. Tuition fees for online programs may be relatively less, due to their efficient setup. Students will learn course material through the use of several online learning resources, which helps to make it more convenient for students to access course material. These resources include video lectures, PowerPoint slides, live chats, discussion threads, eBooks, case studies, and emails. However, it is important that students stay consistent and follow a study schedule to excel in online education.
Accreditation
Accreditation is an important factor in higher education, so this factor should not be neglected by students when looking for liberal arts programs to attend. Accredited schools are more likely to provide quality education to students because they meet standards set by relevant accrediting agencies. Unaccredited schools may fail to provide quality education, resulting in a waste of time and money for students. Employers usually prefer graduates from accredited schools, as they may associate quality education with superior performance.
Liberal Arts Careers
Liberal arts degree programs prepare graduates for many different jobs in areas such as arts, education, health care, business, law, communications, and public service. A degree in liberal arts could lead you to the following occupations:
-
Political Activist
-
Banking
-
Hotel Management
-
Executive
-
Marketing and Survey Researcher
-
Writer, Reporter, or Editor
-
Occupational Therapist
-
Recreation Worker
-
Public Relations Specialist