What Can I Do With a Doctoral Degree in Liberal Arts?
Master's degrees in the area of liberal arts are quite common, as are undergraduate degrees. However, a doctoral degree in liberal arts is less common. Students are more likely to pursue a doctorate in one of the areas belonging to the liberal arts. These subject areas include but are not limited to mathematics, literature, philosophy, arts, and social sciences. Read on for information pertaining to the career options for those who do pursue the liberal arts doctoral degree.
About Liberal Arts Programs
<p>Liberal arts includes a broad spectrum of seemingly unrelated subject areas, including political science, psychology, music and natural science. A liberal arts program is designed to develop a student's ability for rational thought and problem solving. Typically, liberal arts programs graduate students who have strong written and personal communication skills that can be useful in many occupations.
</p>
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutProfessionsInLiberalArts">Important Facts About Professions in Liberal Arts</h3>
<p />
<table border="1"><tr><th> </th><th>Postsecondary Teacher </th><th>Graphic Designer </th><th>Social Worker</th></tr>
<tr><td>Median Salary (2021)</td><td>$79,640 </td><td>$50,710 </td><td>$50,390</td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td>12%</td><td>3%</td><td>9%</td></tr>
<tr><td>Work Environment </td><td> Colleges and universities, community colleges, professional schools </td><td> Can be self-employed or work in the manufacturing, design services and publishing industries </td><td> Hospitals, nursing homes, mental health and substance abuse clinics, schools</td></tr>
<tr><td>Key Skills</td><td>Communication and critical-thinking skills, resourcefulness, writing skills </td><td>Analytical skills, creativity, computer skills, time-management skills </td><td>Compassion, problem-solving skills, interpersonal communication skills</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p>
<h3 id="section---LiberalArtsDoctoralDegrees">Liberal Arts Doctoral Degrees</h3>
<p>Since students more commonly pursue doctorates in one of the subject areas within the sphere of the liberal arts, how a student chooses to utilize this higher-level education depends largely on which liberal arts field the doctoral degree is in.
</p>
<h3 id="section---Teaching">Teaching</h3>
<p>Typically, a university graduate who holds a doctorate in one of the liberal arts disciplines teaches at the university or the community-college level. Entering into a career in education allows teachers to pursue research and to have articles published in journals that cover their specialities.
</p>
<h3 id="section---NonAcademicCareerOptions">Non-Academic Career Options</h3>
<p>While a majority of graduates who hold doctorates in the liberal arts choose to enter into education, some decide to work in various other industries. Again, the type of industry depends upon the liberal arts subject area that the student majored in. Common occupations include management, sales, design/graphic arts and social work.</p>