Those with a more defined degree path may see a liberal studies degree as “too broad.” However, many of these same people do not even know what the coursework of this degree entails. While this degree program may contain interdisciplinary coursework, it does not make it any less prestigious and should be looked at more seriously for its benefits.

Pursuing a degree in liberal studies collects a great amount of skepticism from those with other majors, and this can cause people to assume that individuals with this degree are scatter brained, unorganized, and not goal oriented.

Other ideas revolving around this belief claim that students in the field are liberal in their overall view of life and avoid conventional norms such as structured jobs, relationships, and education, leading them to be perceived as unprofessional.

However, both of these ideas are wildly untrue. To understand why, someone must first understand the meaning behind a degree in liberal studies.

Georgetown University describes the liberal studies education as, “[A] multidisciplinary approach [that] provides students with a comprehensive learning experience while helping them achieve intellectual advancement, enhanced critical thinking abilities, and a greater cultural understanding.”

Learn.org includes in their definition, “the interdisciplinary examination of subjects related to the humanities, arts, and sciences … you’ll pursue knowledge in these different areas, often learning to synthesize what you learn into a coherent whole that serves your life goals. You’ll also learn to communicate effectively, understand and respect a variety of cultures, and become more self-aware.”

In these programs, students learn how to communicate verbally and through writing; communication is emphasized, as well as critical and complex thinking strategies. Within a liberal studies degree, students are experiencing how to learn in a conceptual environment, not only in college but also for the rest of their lives, in any career.

At many colleges and universities, a liberal studies degree can set you up for a career in teaching, because programs allow students to become involved in interdisciplinary learning, just as grade school adolescents are taught.

While this course of study can become a teaching program, the natural curriculum can also make it a career goal path in whatever the student desires.

By including a more specific minor program (for instance, business marketing) a student can learn specific skills from those classes and still gain the overall interdisciplinary learning experience they are looking for through a liberal studies degree program.

It can be argued that students in a specific major program do not learn lifelong learning skills, they only learn skills that pertain to possible careers they can go into with their degree, and therefore would not be able to transition into a change later in life as easily.

So while this degree may be seen as broad and unspecific, these students are actually preparing themselves for prospect changes and obstacles. If they want to be a marketing associate now, but a policy maker later in life, they will be equipped with the lifelong learning skills to make the change.