What Can You Do With a Liberal Arts Degree?

You may find completing a degree in the liberal arts to be a rewarding experience. Graduates with a liberal arts education have the potential to pursue employment across a variety of career fields. In fact, jobs for liberal arts graduates can be found in every industry and sector, including STEM fields. 

But what exactly is the liberal arts definition and what can you do with a liberal arts degree? This career guide explores the defining characteristics of liberal arts programs and some of the many possibilities they create for graduates’ futures.

In This Article:

• Liberal Arts Definition: Understanding These Degrees
• Why Pursue a Liberal Arts Degree?
• Outlook for Liberal Arts Careers 
• What Is a Liberal Arts Degree Good For?
• What Can You Do With a Liberal Arts Degree?
• Preparing for Your Next Role After Earning a Liberal Arts Degree
• Pursue Your Liberal Arts Degree at GCU

Liberal Arts Definition: Understanding These Degrees

Degree programs can be broadly categorized in a number of ways, such as by labeling them as STEM, liberal arts or fine arts degrees. Compared with a degree in a field like mathematics or chemistry, a liberal arts degree may be broader in scope or even multidisciplinary. It involves subject areas such as history, sociology and others mentioned below. Students are expected to study transferable skills such as communication, critical thinking, ethical judgment and analytical reasoning.

A liberal arts education involves a selection of courses from the social sciences and the humanities. For example, the humanities include: 

• Philosophy
• Literature
• History 
• Communication and language
• Political science

Similarly, the social sciences include sociology, counseling and psychology. Despite the name “liberal arts,” this type of education has nothing to do with liberal-leaning political perspectives and values. The term was established by the ancient Greeks, who believed that a comprehensive education to prepare one for civic engagement involved disciplines such as grammar, logic and rhetoric.¹

Over the centuries, the definition and defining characteristics of a liberal arts education have certainly shifted. However, a liberal arts education is still designed to prepare students to tackle many challenges that lie ahead of them.

Why Pursue a Liberal Arts Degree?

A liberal arts education is invaluable in part because it teaches you how to think rather than what to think. You’ll consider how to examine issues from multiple perspectives and have opportunities to develop strong problem-solving skills and leadership abilities.

A liberal arts education also offers the following benefits:

• Interdisciplinary in nature, exposing students to a broad range of fields
• Interactive classes that encourage spirited discussions
• Focus on innovation, connecting ideas and sharing perspectives
• Often emphasizes social responsibility, civic engagement and social justice
• Teaches strong cultural competencies and global awareness

In short, a liberal arts degree teaches transferable skills, making it possible to pursue a wide range of professions across industries and sectors.

Outlook for Liberal Arts Careers 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 766,280 jobs in 2022 were held by people with liberal arts degrees. This encompasses professionals who worked in fields and roles such as library science, education, business administration, finance and sales, along with many others.² Additionally, language-focused degrees often instill strong communication skills, interpersonal skills and cultural knowledge, such as our English language degree.³ 

What Is a Liberal Arts Degree Good For?

A liberal arts degree may help you pursue a career that you find meaningful and rewarding in virtually any sector, industry and field. A liberal arts degree has the potential to lay a strong foundation for pursuing a range of occupations or for completing a graduate degree. You will find liberal arts degree holders working in a range of diverse settings and industries, such as law, business, retail, healthcare and education.²

What Can You Do With a Liberal Arts Degree?

If you are giving serious consideration to pursuing a liberal arts education, you’re likely curious about specific options for liberal arts careers. There is a wealth of opportunities available for liberal arts graduates to pursue. Consider the following possibilities:

Marketing Manager

While a liberal arts background can be valuable for roles in marketing, it's important to note that many marketing managers typically pursue specialized degrees, such as a business or marketing degree, to gain in-depth knowledge of strategy, market research and digital marketing. However, the transferable skills from a liberal arts education can still complement a career in marketing, particularly in roles that require strong communication, creativity and adaptability.

Marketing managers are responsible for developing, overseeing and evaluating marketing and advertising campaigns. They are in charge of hiring, training and supervising their departmental teams and directing all marketing activities.

A marketing manager may do any of the following:

• Meet with clients to discuss goals, expectations and the vision for an upcoming marketing campaign
• Plan marketing campaigns and delegate tasks to copywriters, social media specialists and designers
• Conduct and analyze market research to identify opportunities and customer demographics
• Develop and monitor the departmental budget
• Coordinate with department managers on contracts and marketing budgets

It’s possible to become a marketing manager with just a bachelor’s degree; however, a graduate degree may be helpful but is usually not a requirement. This career isn’t an entry-level one.³ An aspiring marketing manager may get their start by working as a copywriter, social media specialist, graphic designer or sales professional.

The BLS estimates job growth for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers to increase by about 8% from 2023 to 2033, faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 31,100 jobs in the field.⁴

Writer, Editor, Author or Copywriter

Copywriters are professional writers and editors who often work in marketing and advertising. Their role is to create content that promotes a company’s products or services and drives sales. Sales copy may be entertaining and/or informative, with a sales angle.

It’s important to note that specialized degrees are often the common path for certain careers. For example, a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing for New Media is typically pursued for roles like writer, editor or copywriter, offering focused training in writing and digital content creation. While a liberal arts degree provides valuable skills, specialized programs may better prepare you for these careers.

A technical writer or copywriter can do any of the following tasks:

• Meet with clients to ascertain their goals and vision and learn about their products/services
• Establish or follow brand style guidelines that shape all aspects of the copy, such as the brand voice and stylistic preferences
• Write sales copy for a variety of mediums and platforms, including blog posts, website static pages, landing pages, social media posts, print ads and brochures
• Coordinate projects with other professionals, such as graphic designers and social media specialists

A bachelor’s degree in the humanities or social sciences, along with strong writing abilities, research skills and creativity are all needed to pursue a career as a writer or copywriter.⁵ Some copywriters may choose to obtain a professional certification or acquiring additional skills, such as graphic design skills or fluency in another language.

Grant Writer

A liberal arts education can help you prepare to pursue a career in many sectors, including the nonprofit sector.⁶ A grant writer is a professional who writes grant proposals that seek to generate funding for a nonprofit organization’s mission. Grant writers may work for one specific charity or they may be freelancers who work with a variety of nonprofits.

Specialized degrees are often the common path for certain careers. For example, a Master of Public Administration with an Emphasis in Government and Policy may be better suited for public policy writing or government communications. While a liberal arts degree does offer a strong foundation, emphasis programs are often needed for targeted careers in writing, editing and policy work. 

If you decide to pursue a career as a grant writer, you can expect to do the following tasks:

• Research opportunities to identify funding opportunities that fit the nonprofit’s mission and programs
• Write grant proposals that explain the nonprofit’s mission and activities, discuss the impact on the community and explain how the funds would be used
• Collect supporting documents to attach to the grant proposal
• Respond to follow-up questions from funding organizations and donors
• Track, document and disseminate information about the impact of grant money

Grant writers are generally expected to have a bachelor’s degree, which may be in any writing-intensive field.⁶ For instance, you might want to major in professional writing, English, social work, public policy, governmental studies or marketing and advertising.

Human Resources Manager

Human resources (HR) managers run the HR department of an organization. They are responsible for planning, directing and coordinating their company’s administrative functions, particularly staffing and employee development.

While there are many opportunities for liberal arts graduates, specialized degrees are often the more common path for certain careers. For example, to become a human resources manager, a Bachelor of Science in Applied Management is typically preferred. While a liberal arts degree does provide a solid foundation, specialized programs are often needed for specific career paths.

A human resources manager will typically handle the following tasks:

• Meet with management to assess the company’s long-term growth needs and vision
• Oversee recruitment and hiring processes to ensure alignment with company objectives
• Develop and supervise the employees’ benefits programs
• Serve as a liaison between the employees and management
• Develop and oversee employee development programs, such as continuing education workshops and seminars
• Manage staffing issues, including everything from firing to disciplinary procedures to disputes

An aspiring human resources manager typically needs a bachelor’s degree in a liberal arts field, such as psychology, business or communications. Some colleges offer dedicated HR degrees. Aspiring managers also need work experience as a human resources specialist.⁷

As of October 2024, the BLS estimates job growth for human resources managers to increase by about 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 13,500 jobs in the field.⁸

Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists are responsible for nurturing and curating a positive image for their clients. Their clients may be individuals, such as professional athletes, politicians or entertainers, or they may be organizations, such as companies, schools, professional associations and nonprofits.

Liberal arts graduates have many career options, but specialized degrees are often the common path. For example, a more specialized program, such as our Bachelor of Arts in Communications is typical for a public relations career path.

A public relations specialist may do any of the following tasks:

• Write press releases, blog posts, social media posts and thought leadership articles intended to showcase the client in a positive light
• Write speeches for the client to deliver and help prepare the client to effectively answer questions from the media during press conferences
• Evaluate the public opinion of the client in forums such as social media

The BLS estimates job growth for public relations specialists to increase by about 6% from 2023 to 2033, faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 19,200 jobs in the field.⁹

Health Educator

Specialized degree programs are often the common path for health educators. For example, our Bachelor of Science in Public Health is a common path for a health educator. However, a liberal arts education may lead to a career in a STEM field, such as healthcare. If you’re passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and you’re interested in healthcare, you might consider pursuing a career as a health educator.

A health education specialist is a professional who teaches people in a community about healthy choices and behaviors. These professionals may do any of the following:

• Evaluate the health trends and needs of the community
• Create programs and materials to educate on health issues like diabetes management and stroke awareness
• Develop training programs for other community health workers
• Help community members to access health-related resources
• Advocate for health policies and improved community resources

Aspiring health educators generally need a bachelor’s degree, such as a degree in public health. Other degrees that have some coursework in health education may also be suitable choices. Additional certificates in health education, as well as a master’s degree, may help enhance one’s career qualifications.¹⁰ 

Social Service Manager

One of the defining characteristics of a thriving community is its offering of publicly available social service programs, such as those designed to increase literacy, enhance mental health and end food insecurity. It’s the job of a social service manager to develop, implement and oversee these types of social service programs.

It’s important to note that while there are many career opportunities for liberal arts graduates, specialized degrees are often the more common path for certain careers. For example, to become a social service manager, a Master of Social Work is typically preferred. While a liberal arts degree does provide a solid foundation, specialized programs are often needed for specific career paths.

A social service manager, also known as a community service manager, may do any of the following tasks:

• Meet with community members and other stakeholders to identify needed programs, resources and services
• Evaluate the effectiveness of community programs and implement improvements when needed
• Plan and direct outreach activities to help the public learn about available resources and how to access them
• Write grant proposals to obtain funding for public service programs
• Handle administrative tasks necessary for the operation of programs and resources

If you think you’d like to become a social service manager, you’ll need a degree in social sciences, such as social work or public policy. You may also need relevant professional work experience before stepping into a managerial role.¹¹

The BLS estimates the job growth for community and social service occupations to be faster than average from 2023 to 2033, accounting for an estimated increase of 299,400 new jobs each year during this time period.¹²

Market Research Analyst

A company’s success depends on knowing which products or services to offer for sale, and how to market them to the right demographic. It’s the job of a market research analyst to study the raw data and turn them into insights that generate upward growth for the company.

On any given day, a market research analyst may do any of the following tasks:

• Evaluate current marketing and sales trends and anticipate future trends
• Evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and strategies
• Develop and implement methods to collect consumer data, including polls and surveys
• Acquire and study data on market conditions and the company’s competitors
• Analyze data with statistical software and create reports to explain findings
• Recommend products, services and optimal price ranges based on consumer preferences

Specialized degree programs are often the common path for market research analysts, such as our Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Advertising. However, a liberal arts education may lead to a career in this field. A bachelor’s degree in social science, communications or business analytics can create a pathway toward pursuing a career as a market research analyst. Although not required, some employers may prefer candidates with a master’s degree.¹³ 

Job growth for market research analysts is projected to grow by an estimated 8% from 2023 to 2033, according to the BLS, accounting for an estimated increase of 74,900 new jobs in the field.¹⁴

Preparing for Your Next Role After Earning a Liberal Arts Degree

Many types of liberal arts careers can benefit from ongoing professional development. After earning a liberal arts degree, you may find it helpful to pursue graduate-level education or professional certifications that are relevant to your job or intended career path. Some professionals may benefit from cultivating a professional brand, such as by establishing a social media presence geared toward their industry or field.

Pursue Your Liberal Arts Degree at GCU

Grand Canyon University welcomes students who are excited about pursuing a liberal arts degree. Our College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers many different liberal arts degree options, all of which teach strong competencies in communications, critical thinking and ethical servant leadership.   

Grad School Options at GCU

In addition to our liberal arts bachelor’s degrees, GCU offers a wide range of graduate degrees in fields such as communications, education, educational administration, leadership, public health and many others. A graduate degree may allow you to position yourself to potentially pursue career advancement or to transition to a new professional field altogether.