When people think of liberal arts, they often think of subjects like history or literature. But a liberal arts education is much broader than that. Think: less about locking into one career, more about building skills you’ll use no matter where you land.
At its core, the liberal arts focus on building transferable skills that apply across industries and careers. Rather than training for one specific job, a liberal arts education prepares you to adapt to many possible career paths.
The phrase “liberal arts” comes from the Latin liberales artes, meaning “education worthy of a free person.” In ancient Greece and Rome, this type of education wasn’t about learning a trade. It was about developing the mind.
Philosophers like Cicero believed these studies helped people reason, communicate, and participate in civic life. Later educators took the idea further, arguing that a liberal arts foundation made it easier to adapt as roles changed, whether someone became a politician, a teacher, or even a stone mason.
During the Middle Ages, liberal arts education centered on seven core subjects:
Today, these areas have evolved into broader disciplines. Modern liberal arts programs may include:
This flexibility allows you to tailor your education. Interested in marketing but fascinated by psychology? Great, because a liberal arts pathway lets you combine both. Drawn to public service but curious about communication? That works, too.
A modern liberal arts degree offers a strong academic foundation while allowing room for exploration. One example is a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, a program that focuses on several subjects, including:
These programs also incorporate core general education subjects like English, math, and science, ensuring you graduate with a well-rounded skill set valued by employers.
Liberal arts degrees open doors to many career paths, including:
Many graduates also pursue advanced degrees in law, business, or education. The versatility of liberal arts is its greatest strength.
The online Bachelor of Arts in Humanities program at UT Permian Basin helps students build essential skills like communication, critical thinking, and social responsibility, all in a flexible online format.
You can choose up to two concentrations to personalize your degree, and with guidance from faculty advisors, you can create an individualized plan of study that aligns with your interests and career goals.
If you’re looking for a degree that values adaptability, creativity, and lifelong learning, a liberal arts education may be the right fit.
Sources:
https://archive.org/details/europeanliteratu0000curt/page/36/mode/2up
https://bighistory.de/Education
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/glossary/seven-liberal-arts
https://www.memoriapress.com/articles/what-are-the-liberal-arts/
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