
General arts is a traditional field that combines many disciplines in order to provide students with a classic liberal arts education. These programs allow students to explore a variety of the sciences, social sciences and the arts without focusing on any particular field. Also known as interdisciplinary studies, this field appeals to those who can't decide on a specific field of interest as well as to adult professionals who were never able to complete a liberal arts education.
Schools that offer general arts programs give students the opportunity to create their own curriculum around a core base of classes that expose them to the many different facets of a liberal arts education. Students can expect to take at least a few courses in each of the following subject fields:
These programs aim to teach students skills such as critical thinking, oral communication, the ability to analyze information and writing skills, so that graduates can be successful in whichever career path they pursue. It also prepares them to be good citizens and lifelong learners who can appreciate a diverse range of subject matter and the arts. These degrees are most often offered at the Associate or Bachelor's level. While there are some "general studies" Master's programs most of them usually tend to be a bit more specialized.
Since a general arts degree exposes students to so many different subjects and gives them the ability to think critically and thoughtfully, students graduating with this degree have a wide range of opportunities available. You can find a career in industries such as business, law, medicine, research, publishing, education, public relations, advertising or academia. This degree is sometimes a stepping stone to earning a professional Master's or Doctorate degree, which allows students to gain a wealth of knowledge and skills before pursuing a specialty. However, there are also plenty of entry-level jobs available to general arts degree holders that may provide opportunity for advancement without obtaining a higher level degree.