Why Get a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies?

Considering a liberal studies path?

The Total Testing’s pathway to a Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies may just be the right option for you. Our pathway offers an affordable option for completing coursework that, if admitted to Daemen University, is accepted as transfer credit towards an accredited Liberal Studies degree. However, perhaps you aren’t entirely sold on a liberal arts education. You may have heard from some friends that it will be hard to get a job with such a degree, you will end up earning less, or you may simply not gain any real value from the program.

We wanted to provide you with facts that dispel these rumors and will help you in deciding whether a liberal studies degree is right for you.

Outearn Your Counterparts in the Long Run

Professional degrees have this tendency to be seen as a ‘preferred degree’ by potential students and employers because of their specific career paths. These degrees are often for specialized jobs or carry with them advanced educational models that lead to a person becoming an expert in their field and, in turn, earning a high salary. When going for the job, too, often the degree simply markets the candidate for themselves. On the contrary, liberal studies candidates must be able to sell their skills since a liberal studies degree does not focus on one specific path and, instead, hones a number of different skillsets. Still, in a study by, Best Colleges, liberal studies students are shown to earn slightly lower salaries than professional majors in the years immediately after graduation, but, by their peak earning ages, tend to outearn their counterparts with professional degrees. Why? Read the other two reasons to find out.

Transferable Skills

As mentioned above, a liberal studies education is broad-based covering topics in language, history, social sciences, and humanities. This varied knowledge prepares students to deal with complexity, diversity, and change which are all present in the actual business world. Moreover, a liberal studies degree can provide you with strong intellectual and practical skills in: communication, analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking. A study by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) found that 93 percent of employers agree that candidates’ demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems is more important than their undergraduate major. Four out of five employers also agreed that all students should acquire broad knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences. Having the skills to adapt, in the end, is more important for employers than your degree title.

A Wide Range of Careers

A broad base of knowledge and experience means that job options for a liberal studies major are far from limited. Instead of having to focus on only medical careers or law careers, to name a few, you can literally go for any job. Might it require some additional classes or training? Potentially. But, that should not dissuade you from looking into jobs for which a degree in liberal studies will prepare you. Some job paths that liberal studies majors follow include: Elementary and Middle School Teachers, Education Administrators, Registered Nurses, Social Workers, Accountants and Auditors, Executive Assistants, and Marketing and Sales Managers.

Do not be fooled by preconceived notions regarding liberal studies – find what degree makes sense for you and your goals!