What is Liberal Education? 

Liberal Education is an approach to learning that empowers individuals and prepares them to deal with complexity, diversity, and change. It provides students with broad knowledge of the wider world (e.g. science, culture, and society) as well as in-depth study in a specific area of interest. A liberal education helps students develop a sense of social responsibility, as well as strong and transferable intellectual and practical skills such as communication, analytical and problem-solving skills, and a demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings." - American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U)

At the University of Michigan-Flint's College of Arts and Sciences, students experience a liberal education. Whether their focus tends to lie more with the sciences or the arts, they will learn through a variety of subjects and gain the skills valued most highly by employers. Students will expand their horizons and discover new interests throughout their years in CAS, emerging as capable learners ready for whatever comes next in life. 

Liberal Education in the Media

In today's media there is constant discussion on the value of liberal education and its value for students. Following are a selection of news articles, reviews, and op-eds on the value of liberal education, including many presented by higher education experts and administrators from around the country and world. 

LIBERAL EDUCATION NEWS WATCH

Presented by the AAC&U, this is a regularly updated selection of articles on liberal education, or click below for individual articles from a variety of sources.

• 'Beyond the University: Why Liberal Education Matters' by Michael S. Roth a book review by Christopher B. Nelson, president of St. John's College in Annapolis, published by the Washington Post. The book author is president of Wesleyan University.
• Liberal Arts Grads Win Long-Term by Allie Grasgreen of Inside Higher Ed.
• The Proof Liberal Arts Colleges Need? Study links certain traits of undergraduate education to success in life: meaningful interaction with professors, studying a variety of fields outside the major and having classroom talks that go to issues of ethics and life. By Scott Jaschik, editor and co-founder of Inside Higher Ed.
• Study Liberal Arts -- and Gain Power by Eric Liu, presented by CNN.com
• That 'Useless' Liberal Arts Degree Has Become Tech's Hottest Ticket by George Anders, Forbes / Tech
• The Value of a Liberal Arts Education in Today's Global Marketplace by Edward J. Ray, president of Oregon State University, presented by the Huffington Post. 
• We don't need more STEM majors. We need more STEM majors with liberal arts training by Loretta Jackson-Hayes, Assoc. Professor of Chemistry at Rhodes College in Memphis; presented by The Washington Post. 
• Why the tech world highly values a liberal arts degree by Valerie Strauss, WashingtonPost.com
• The Winner: A Liberal Education by Sean Decatur, dean of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Oberlin College. Presented by the New York Times.

Studies on Liberal Education

• It Takes More than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success - Overviews and Key Findings from a national survey of business and non-profit leaders (read the full report here)