Liberal Arts

You might be surprised to find that you are passionate about a subject that you initially dismissed or were not aware existed.

The interdisciplinary focus helps you select a major and specialty. For example, if you aspire to be an attorney, taking a biology course might help you decide to focus on environmental law.

Consider the ability of English majors who enroll in psychology courses. Some of the principles in psychology will help them better develop the characters in their stories or analyze the background of their authors.

This includes critical thinking, researching, writing, problem-solving and possessing computer and communication skills.

Many graduate/professional schools require certain prerequisite courses, but specific majors are usually not required. This is because graduate programs are looking for the same broad skills that employers are seeking.

According to the Bureau of Labor, most people change careers at some point in their lives. Unlike a technical degree, the liberal arts cultivate versatile expertise and permit you to change careers.

New types of jobs are emerging every year and most of us have no way of knowing the requirements that will be needed to qualify for them. Consequently, the best approach you can take is to develop general, transferable skills that employers want.

If you are unsure about your major, seek out a liberal arts education. Not only will you be prepared for numerous careers, but the curriculum will naturally facilitate your decision-making ability.

You can select the classes that interest you in many of the Liberal Arts Core categories such as the Fine Arts, Literature, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences. You can also select your elective credits or earn a minor in another discipline. Nowhere else can you tailor your plan of study to your interests or career goals.

There is both an instrumental and intrinsic focus. Not only are you equipped with valuable skills, but you are transformed, especially because we offer a distinctively Christian approach to the liberal arts.

Reality: The liberal arts are not affiliated with any political agenda. Instead, the curriculum equips graduates with the skills they need to think critically, problem solve and identify truth. Students are exposed to multiple points of view, and they learn methods to evaluate complex issues. This prepares them for an increasingly diverse world and rapidly changing labor market.

Reality: The liberal arts are integrated into every discipline, including the sciences. Regardless of students' majors, USF incorporates 21st century skills into the curriculum. This emphasizes technology, communication and cultural skills. Students are transformed into creative and critical, independent thinkers.

Reality: This is one of the objectives of a USF education. Just ask our graduates. Six months after graduation, 99% of USF graduates secure employment or pursue graduate or professional studies. We also offer much more to our students. We teach students to integrate their faith and be lifelong, engaged learners. Our liberal arts focus nurtures their relationship with God. In his book Engaging God's World, Cornelius Plantinga (2002) writes, "One way to love God is to know and love God's work. Learning is therefore a spiritual calling: properly done, it attaches us to God" (p. xi). How do the Christian liberal arts achieve this? We ask important questions and seek out truth. As Cosgrove (2006) explains in Foundations of Christian Thought, “Faith without learning can never be tested for truth, and learning without faith assumptions tends to study the trivial” (p. 48).   

The integration of faith and learning is at the heart of the present vocation for all USF students. Because it is a spiritual activity, this learning cannot be compartmentalized to students' college education. It is necessary in the life of faith and should continue even after they graduate. But don't worry. We prepare our students for this lifelong learning. That's why our students are transformed into critical and creative independent thinkers

Reality: Christian liberal arts institutions, like USF, are the only place where you can find the integration of faith and learning. Public schools may have active Christian organizations that could foster friendships, study the Bible or meet periodically to discuss spiritual topics, but your faith is still compartmentalized. Your professors cannot extensively incorporate it into classroom discussion, assignments or activities. At USF faith permeates every area of our campus. We believe your faith is too important to be a secondary byline in the conversation.

Reality: The liberal arts are a necessity. New types of jobs are emerging every year and most of us have no way of knowing what those jobs will be or what type of requirements will be needed in order to qualify for them. Consequently, our country's future leaders need to develop general, transferable skills that employers want, and future leaders will need to adjust to rapidly-changing careers.