The liberal arts encompass a wide range of subjects, such as English and Literature, Psychology and philosophy.
A liberal arts degree is popular for many reasons – among them the fact that the degree can open doors to many careers, making it ideal for students who may not be entirely sure what career suits them yet.
Liberal arts programmes are broad and diverse – they give students a wide subject exposure over their course of study, giving students a platform to learn about a range of things and expand their worldview. This can act as a stepping stone to helping them decide what they would like to dive into should they want to pursue their graduate studies.
So, if you’re interested in pursuing a degree in the liberal arts, here are the top five liberal arts colleges in the US for 2019, according to Times Higher Education.
Amherst College has a diverse student body. Source: Wikimedia Commons
According to the website, Amherst, located in Massachusetts, offers BA degrees in 40 majors, including in the arts, sciences, social sciences and humanities.
“Students can carry more than one major, create their own interdisciplinary major or engage in independent scholarship. Many students delve more deeply into their major field by undertaking honours theses as seniors. Often the equivalent of graduate-level work, theses have taken the form of a major paper, scientific investigation or creative work,” it said.
Courses offered include Psychology, English, History, and more. Students can also opt for an interdisciplinary major, subject to faculty approval.
Williams has over 50 areas of study across the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. Source: Wikimedia Commons
According to the website, Williams, a private liberal arts college in Massachusetts, has “three academic divisions (languages and the arts, social sciences, and science and mathematics) that encompass 25 departments, 36 majors, and several concentrations” and special programmes.
Majors include American Studies, Anthropology and English, among others. They also offer two master’s programmes, one in art history and one in development economics.
Interestingly, the website notes that this school admits “students without regard to their ability to pay. The college meets 100 percent of every admitted student’s demonstrated financial need for four years. Just over half of all Williams students receive financial aid from the college.”
Pomona College’s Studio Art Hall. Source: @Pomonacollege/Facebook
Pomona, a premier liberal arts college in California, prides itself in its small classes – with class size averaging at 15 – offering students a chance to bond with their professors, some of whom are among the “best in the world”.
This private institution offers 48 majors in the arts, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.
So, whether it’s a French major you’re considering, or it’s Linguistics, Classics or even International Relations, you’re bound to develop the knowledge and skills to help you succeed in the working world.
Wellesley College is considered one of the Seven Sisters. Source: Shutterstock
This private women’s liberal arts college in Wellesley, Massachusetts, boasts some notable alumni, some of which include Hillary Clinton, former FLOTUS (First Lady of the US) and former US democrat presidential candidate in 2016.
Classes at Wellesley are small and typically range in size from 12 to 24 students. Prospective students can choose from a slew of majors, including Media Arts and Sciences, Education, Theatre, and more.
Swarthmore’s campus boasts robust gardens and more than 4,000 plant varieties. Source: Shutterstock
Not unlike the previous colleges mentioned, Swarthmore, located in Pennsylvania, has a small student to faculty ratio at 8:1. Some of the courses prospective students can choose from include Comparative Literature, Medieval Studies, Political Science, and more.
They also offer an Honors Program, in which students “take on a variety of subjects and projects, and tend to be among the most actively engaged students on campus”. Swarthmore students who are “creative, independent, and interdisciplinary-focused” can also design their own major.
Some of their clubs and activities include Aja, a “queer-affirming group that strives to promote the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of black women, femmes and non-binary people on Swarthmore’s campus by providing a space to explore and celebrate our identities as well as create community among ourselves”.
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