What is a Liberal Arts Education?

When liberal studies began, most people had to learn a trade and work hard within it to earn their livelihood. Only those who were financially well off and “free” to live without working a trade could study areas and skills that were not immediately practical. With this financial freedom, these students could spend their time contemplating life’s “big” questions through the pursuit of a liberal education.

Since then, a liberal education has become a foundation of self-government and free societies. A liberal education, and the questions and kinds of thinking it demands, are essential to the continued success of our society.

These goals, shared and carried out by each academic discipline, are at the heart of a liberal education:

• To teach critical reasoning
• To encourage innovation and creativity
• To demonstrate and encourage clear communication
• To advocate independent thinking that moves toward solutions.
  

A liberal education is essential to building a knowledgeable citizenship—nationally and globally. Part of any liberal education is an awareness that no person or community—whether a family, a town, or a nation—is alone; our actions impact many others, including those around us as well as those separated from us by miles or time.