Why a liberal arts education?

Contributed post by Bob Cowles, Associate Professor of Education and Division Chair for Social Sciences at Westminster College. ‎

Many of today’s students and parents are legitimately asking questions about the value and return on investment of a traditional liberal arts education.  Why does a broad-based academic program of study make sense in a world of increasing specialization?

A diverse, high quality, educational experience is at the core of the “liberal arts” experience.  Traditionally, this means that students take a group of courses called “general education” designed to prepare them to effectively learn in their chosen discipline. The understanding being, that breadth of student knowledge, critical thinking skills and connections among disciplines prepares the mind for specialized learning in majors.  Many current students resist and question the value of this approach.  They seek a direct connection between required coursework and their major.

Is it possible to meet this challenge while maintaining quality as a liberal arts institution?  Westminster College believes the answer is yes.  Merriam Webster defines liberal as: “not opposed to new ideas or ways of behaving that are not traditional or widely accepted.”  Perhaps it is time for students to rethink “liberal arts” and understand its real value to success in life.

Preparation for professional success has been, and continues to be, the goal of Westminster’s liberal arts program.  Few professionals find success without being able to think broadly and critically, communicate effectively, problem solve creatively, and collaborate.  These skills are at the heart of the liberal arts program of study. This is Westminster’s mission, brand and purpose.  We are a “Professional Liberal Arts” institution.  We prepare students for career and life success by developing academically well-rounded students, prepared to think, reason, and analyze.

Students looking for a quality educational experience should ask themselves these questions. Will the program help me develop both academically and personally?  Will it challenge me to succeed in the classroom and in life?  Is it personalized to my educational needs and interests?  Does it help me see the connection between required courses and my major?  Does it offer the opportunity to apply learning in practical and professional ways?

At Westminster College, we answer these questions by providing multiple avenues for academic and professional success.  A Westminster student is encouraged to:

Chart Your Path

Discover Your Future

Personalize Your Learning

Prepare for Professional Success

Chart Your Path

Through personal one-on-one advising and the “Compass” e-portfolio process, students are encouraged to create a road map of their present and future goals and accomplishments. In essence, you learn to take charge of your education by setting goals, and charting an individualized path to present and future success.

Discover Your Future

Students are encouraged to explore and discover—to take carefully selected coursework in Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Leadership Studies and the Humanities as part of both major and general education requirements.  From these experiences, you will broaden your horizons, and sharpen your abilities, while discovering the importance of coursework to your interests and passions for future learning and careers.

Personalize Your Learning

Students have the opportunity to meet learning goals by choosing different paths and learning environments.  In addition to established majors, students are encouraged to self-design majors that lead them to a viable future career about which they are passionate. Students are encouraged to learn both inside and outside the classroom through study abroad, service-learning, and campus leadership roles. Traditional, blended, on-line, and flipped classes give students the freedom to explore learning styles, and environments for learning.

Prepare for Professional Success

A “Professional Liberal Arts” education requires more than just classroom experience.  A Westminster education is enhanced by experiential learning, independent research, professional presentations, community service and learning, and internships. In today’s world, students must develop visual as well as oral and written communication skills, “numeracy and data literacy” as well as mathematical problem solving, and application of “broad-learning” to problem analysis and solution.  All majors challenge students to apply their learning, hone professional and leadership skills, and finalize career goals.

Don’t be bound by a narrow approach to learning. At Westminster, you have an opportunity to think, value and discover yourself for the future. A liberal arts education, focused on professional preparation, fulfills Westminster’s mission to lead graduates to a lifetime of success, significance and service. We want you to find success, and we deliver a personalized education path that challenges you to think critically, creatively and broadly to get you there.

The proof? Six months after graduation, 96% of Westminster graduates report employment or enrollment in graduate or professional school.

Bob Cowles is Associate Professor of Education and Division Chair for Social Sciences at Westminster College.