What Is a Liberal Arts College?

A broad approach to education defines a liberal arts college, meaning that the school offers programs in a wide range of liberal arts college subjects. These include the arts, humanities and social sciences; however, a liberal arts school may also offer degree programs in life sciences and technology.

Grand Canyon University is pleased to offer a liberal arts education, as it allows us to help prepare students to work toward success no matter their field or occupation. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences at GCU invites future students to learn about our extensive menu of degree options. It’s our mission to give students the tools and resources they need to experience academic, personal and spiritual growth.

In This Article:

• Liberal Arts College: Meaning and Importance
• Transferable Skills Taught in Liberal Arts College Subjects
• Liberal Arts Degree Options
• Enroll in GCU’s Liberal Arts Programs

Liberal Arts College: Meaning and Importance

What makes a liberal arts college? It’s sometimes thought that a liberal arts education is comprised solely of courses in the humanities. Yet, liberal arts subjects extend beyond humanities, encompassing areas such as:

A liberal arts education is interdisciplinary in nature, but it’s more than a group of subjects or fields. Rather, it’s an approach to learning designed to prepare students to make sense of the world around them, think critically and manage complex changes. Liberal arts guide students in developing an appreciation for diversity and a commitment to social responsibility¹ that encourages them to make a positive impact on their communities.

The world is continually changing; jobs that exist today may not exist in 10 years, and jobs that don’t exist today will become commonplace in the future. Rather than preparing students for a very narrowly defined set of jobs, a liberal arts education empowers them to navigate change and pursue progress wherever it may lead.²

Transferable Skills Taught in Liberal Arts College Subjects

If a liberal arts college offers a broad, interdisciplinary preparation for an oft-uncertain future, then what specific skills are taught? Liberal arts college classes may teach a broad range of competencies in specific fields, like computations for mathematics students or scientific methodology for natural science students. However, a liberal arts education emphasizes soft skills — skills that are highly transferable across fields, industries and occupations.

Some examples of transferable skills that may be taught in a liberal arts school include:

• Communication skills, including writing, speaking, reading and listening
• Critical thinking
• Analytical reasoning
• Social responsibility
• Cultural competence
• Problem-solving

Liberal Arts Degree Options

At GCU, you’ll find a diverse range of liberal arts degree options to choose from across a variety of fields. No matter what your interests and career goals are, it’s likely that GCU has an undergraduate or graduate program to suit you. Consider the following:

Bachelor’s Degrees

You can begin your college journey at our College of Humanities and Social Sciences, where you can choose from a wide assortment of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. Many of these are designed to establish a solid foundation for building a service-oriented career, including the following:

• BA in History for Secondary Education 
• BS in Behavioral Health Science 
• BA in Communications 
• BA in English for Secondary Education 
• BS in Counseling with an Emphasis in Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse 
• BA in Government
• Bachelor of Social Work 
• BS in Psychology 

These are just a few examples. You could also choose to major in justice studies or mathematics for future secondary educators.

Master’s Degrees

Earning your master’s degree is an excellent way to dive deeply into advanced competencies in your chosen field. A graduate degree has the potential to open doors, and it gives you the opportunity to enhance your skills and develop new ones. At GCU, you could choose to enroll in any of these liberal arts master’s degree programs:

• Master of Arts in Communication
• Master of Arts in English
• Master of Arts in History
• Master of Public Administration
• Master of Science in Addiction Counseling 
• Master of Science in Criminal Justice
• Master of Science in Mathematics
• Master of Science in Psychology 
• Master of Science in Sociology

Many of these advanced degree programs offer specialization options. For instance, if you decide to pursue an MS in Psychology, you could choose an emphasis in forensic psychology, health psychology, life coaching or industrial and organizational psychology. Whichever path you choose, you’ll graduate prepared to work toward making a difference in the lives of those around you.

Certificate Programs

GCU is pleased to offer graduate certificate programs for individuals who are interested in advancing their education but aren’t quite ready for the commitment required to earn a master’s degree.

Graduate certificate programs are available in several psychology specializations, as well as mental health and wellness with an emphasis in community mental health administration. If you’ve already earned your master’s degree, consider expanding your knowledge with a Post-Master of Science in Counseling Certificate. 

Enroll in GCU’s Liberal Arts Programs

The educators and support staff at Grand Canyon University look forward to meeting you and supporting you as you work toward your academic and professional goals. Fill out the form on this page and connect with a university counselor to learn about earning a degree from our College of Humanities and Social Sciences.