What is a Liberal Arts Education and Why is it Important?
You may have heard of a liberal arts education, but do you know exactly what it is and why it is important as you move forward in your life and career? USC Aiken provides our students with a liberal arts education to help better prepare them for their future, and we want you to understand why.
First, let’s answer the question- what is a liberal arts education? A liberal arts education is one that exposes students to many fields, not just those specific to their majors, to empower and prepare the student to think critically, analyze issues, develop a sense of social responsibility, and acquire a broader knowledge of the world in which they live. These studies help students become more well-rounded individuals, and help them adapt to diversity and change.
Students will be trained in-depth in their majors, but will also have general courses of study that may include philosophy, languages, religion, history, literature, economics and mathematics. These are subjects that teach students practical skills like the ability to communicate, think for themselves, and solve problems.
But, here’s the better question – why should a liberal arts education be important to me? There are many benefits to a liberal arts education, the most important being this type of degree is very appealing to prospective employers. If you were hiring employees, wouldn’t you want someone who has demonstrated their abilities to communicate with strong verbal and written skills? Wouldn’t you want an employee who can think critically, analyze issues, and solve problems? Of course you would. These are skills that will transfer to any work place, and these are the skills a liberal arts education helps provide. You will have demonstrated that you know how to apply knowledge and skills, and this will help you work in a variety of fields.
If you want to continue your education by attending graduate school, you will be an appealing candidate because you have already proven you can learn many subjects.
Ultimately, a liberal arts education doesn’t just prepare you to get a job or to get into graduate school. It helps you prepare for life in a world that is constantly changing. You will not only have a better understanding of the world around you; you will also have the skills to become a valuable asset to your community.
At USC Aiken, we want our students to be the best they can be. This is why we provide a liberal arts education.