There are three degrees available to those who wish to have a career in the liberal arts. Students may acquire a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degree. There are more career opportunities for those who acquire a higher degree.

Liberal Arts Degree Levels Available

Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts

During the bachelor’s degree program in the liberal arts, students acquire a solid groundwork of knowledge, sufficient for entry-level employment in the liberal arts field or for continuing onto a master’s or a doctoral program in the liberal arts. Intro to linguistics, history, intro to psychology, contemporary art, intro to philosophy, art history, classical literature, revolutionary events, intro to anthropology, and creative arts are just a few of the subject areas covered within these four years. Occupations available to those upon graduation include teacher’s assistant, human resources worker, or public relations specialist.

Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts

Students undergoing a master’s degree program in the liberal arts are introduced to and begin conducting research in this field. Students conduct original research in an area of specialization, which will then be used in their thesis. Alongside the thesis work, students must take courses in areas such as human expression, theories in philosophy, society and science, research writing, English composition, and public speaking and maintain a high GPA. Nearing the end of the second year, students defend their thesis and are able to acquire professional work in the liberal arts field as a policy analyst, case management worker, or high school teacher or continue onto the doctoral program in liberal arts.

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) Degree in Liberal Arts

Acquiring a Ph.D. in liberal arts entails an immense amount of extensive research in an area of specialization within the liberal arts field. Students generally build on the work they conducted in their master’s thesis. In conjunction with conducting research, students must take mandatory coursework and maintain a high GPA, submit a thesis proposal, pass both a qualifying and candidacy examination, and complete as well as defend a dissertation based on the student’s original research in the liberal arts field. When students complete the Ph.D. program in liberal arts, they have a comprehensive and profound knowledge, sufficient enough for a position in academia or upper-level employment in the liberal arts field.

Admission Requirements

For most colleges and universities, the admission requirements for a bachelor’s degree program in liberal arts include a high school diploma or its academic equivalent (i.e., GED), a transcript from the high school the student graduated from, SAT or ACT test scores, and an application form from the college or university the student wishes to attend along with the application fee. Volunteer and/or work experience in the liberal arts field should be noted on the application form since this would benefit students during their application process.

The application process for a master’s or doctoral degree program in liberal arts can be quite substantial. Colleges and universities usually have a list of requirements which include (but are not limited to): a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts or a closely related field, a GPA of about 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale), test scores from the GRE (Graduate Records Examination) or the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) which should be at or above the 80th percentile, a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae, two or three reference letters written by faculty members who can vouch for the student, and an application form along with the application fee.

Tuition and Accreditation

There are numerous factors which affect college and university tuition fees such as public versus private institutions, distance education, government funding, etc. However, below are the average ranges of tuition fees for the various degrees. A bachelor’s degree in liberal arts may vary from $ 15,918 to $ 32,617 in tuition fees. A master’s degree in liberal arts may vary from $ 8,763 to $ 20,368 in tuition fees. A doctoral degree in liberal arts may vary from $ 45,000 to $ 60,000 annually in tuition fees. (Source: the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)

It is extremely important for students to attend an accredited institution. This tells employers that the applicant graduated from a college or university which provides high-quality education and adheres to certain academic standards. Students who obtain a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or a doctoral degree in liberal arts should enroll in a college or university accredited by AALE (The American Academy for Liberal Education).

Average Annual Salary Ranges for Different

Occupations in the Liberal arts Field

Below are a few average annual salary ranges for different occupations in the liberal arts field (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). However, keep in mind that there are various aspects which determine an individual’s salary such as their level of education, the extent of their experience, their field of specialization, and who they are employed by. As a result, salaries for those from the same profession may vary from person to person.

philosophy professor $ 60,450 to $ 80,450
human resources manager $ 99,590 to $ 119,590
humanities teacher $ 60,450 to $ 80,450
social service manager $ 54,460 to $ 74,460
political scientist $ 94,600 to $ 114,600