27 Types of Liberal Arts Degrees & Careers

A liberal arts degree focuses on a broad study of humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and fine arts. Each of these degrees fosters a well-rounded understanding of diverse disciplines while cultivating essential skills such as creativity, collaboration, effective communication, and critical thinking.

This educational approach emphasizes adaptability and lifelong learning, preparing students for success in various fields. These versatile skills make liberal arts graduates highly sought after in careers requiring innovative thinking, interpersonal collaboration, and problem-solving in complex, dynamic environments.

Below, we discuss many types of liberal arts degrees and a few of the many careers you can pursue if you choose one of these degrees.

Overview of Liberal Arts Degrees

Before we discuss the specifics of liberal arts degrees, let's look at the types of degrees you can earn with a liberal arts emphasis. A Bachelor of Arts (BA) emphasizes studies in the humanities and social sciences, such as literature, history, communication, and sociology. BA programs encourage critical thinking, cultural understanding, and effective communication, equipping students with skills applicable to roles in education, media, or public service.

Next, a Bachelor of Science (BS) focuses on technical and scientific fields, such as biology, psychology, or economics. BS programs prioritize analytical skills, quantitative reasoning, and practical applications of science and technology, preparing graduates for careers in healthcare, research, or business.

The other type of bachelor's degree is a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). This degree centers on artistic and creative disciplines like visual arts, theater, and music. BFA programs provide intensive training in technique, performance, and artistic expression, cultivating professionals for roles in the arts and entertainment industries.

For those seeking advanced expertise, master's degrees offer deeper specialization and professional development. The Master of Arts (MA) focuses on humanities, social sciences, and communication-related fields, allowing students to gain in-depth knowledge and research experience. MA programs are ideal for careers in academia, writing, cultural institutions, and public administration.

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) cultivates creative skills in areas like writing, acting, or filmmaking, preparing graduates for professional artistic careers. The Master of Science (MS) delves deeper into scientific or technical disciplines, such as psychology, data analytics, or environmental science, equipping graduates for research or industry leadership roles.

Humanities Degrees

The first discipline of liberal arts that we will discuss is the humanities, which examine human culture and society through disciplines like literature, history, and philosophy. Students gain skills in persuasive communication, critical analysis, reasoning, and empathy.

These studies enhance understanding of human experiences, enabling graduates to connect ideas across cultures and time periods while effectively expressing themselves in diverse professional contexts.

1. Communications

Communications degrees focus on sharing information through various channels, including written, verbal, and digital mediums. Students can understand and deliver messages effectively to engage specific audiences since a main goal of the degree is crafting clear messages, managing public perception, and leveraging media to achieve organizational goals.

PR Specialist

With a communications degree, you could become a public relations specialist. PR specialists use communications expertise to shape and maintain an organization's public image. They create press releases, organize events, and handle media inquiries, ensuring consistent messaging and positive relationships with the public.

Marketing Coordinator

You could also consider becoming a marketing coordinator. They apply communications strategies to promote products or services. To build brand awareness and foster customer loyalty, they design marketing campaigns, manage social media platforms, and analyze audience engagement.

2. Philosophy

Philosophy majors explore fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, ethics, and reality through rigorous critical analysis. In a philosophy program, you will focus on:

• logic, which enhances reasoning skills
• metaphysics, which investigates the nature of reality
• morality, which examines ethical principles and their application

Philosophy fosters a deep understanding of abstract concepts and their practical implications, sharpening analytical thinking, argumentation, and problem-solving abilities. These skills are invaluable across various professional fields, enabling graduates to approach challenges with clarity and insight.

Ethics Consultant

Ethics consultants with a philosophy degree help organizations navigate moral and ethical challenges by evaluating practices and offering recommendations. They ensure compliance with ethical standards, assist in developing codes of conduct, and guide decision-making processes to align with societal values and organizational goals.

Policy Analyst

Policy analysts represent another viable career path. Leveraging their philosophical training, they critically evaluate public or corporate policies, focusing on areas that may require refinement. By examining the ethical, social, and economic impacts of these policies, they identify opportunities for improvement. Their well-reasoned recommendations guide organizations and governments in crafting strategies that are both fair and effective.

3. History

History degrees focus on the events, cultures, and societies of the past, emphasizing their impact on the present and future. By analyzing historical documents and interpreting evidence, students enhance their critical research skills and uncover patterns and causes of change.

Courses focus on interpretative writing, enabling learners to articulate complex ideas with clarity. This discipline fosters a profound understanding of societal developments, cultural exchanges, and global dynamics, equipping individuals with the tools to offer valuable context and insights across diverse professional fields.

Museum Curator

Museum curators oversee historical collections and design exhibitions that captivate and inform the public. Through artifact research and preservation, they craft compelling narratives that make history accessible and engaging. By fostering connections between communities and their cultural heritage, curators fulfill a crucial role in preserving the past for future generations.

Historian

History majors also become historians who research and document historical events, producing books, articles, and reports that analyze significant developments and their impacts. They work in academic, governmental, or private sectors, contributing to a deeper understanding of history and informing contemporary decisions based on past lessons.

4. Foreign Languages

Majoring in a foreign language means that you will master the skills of speaking, reading, writing, and understanding one or more languages. You not only learn linguistic structures and vocabulary but also gain cultural awareness and communication strategies.

Common language options include:

• Spanish
• French
• Mandarin Chinese
• German
• Japanese
• Arabic
• Russian

These programs emphasize fluency and cultural competence, preparing individuals to interact effectively across diverse cultural contexts. With a foreign language degree, you can become a translator or a foreign service officer.

Translator

Translators use their foreign language expertise to convert written content between languages while maintaining accuracy and cultural relevance. They may work on documents such as books, legal contracts, or technical manuals, ensuring the intended meaning and tone are preserved.

Foreign Service Officer

Foreign service officers represent their country's interests abroad, requiring proficiency in one or more foreign languages. They engage in diplomacy, manage international relations, and assist citizens in foreign countries.

5. English

English bachelor's degrees focus on studying literature, language, and writing, gaining a deep understanding of storytelling, rhetoric, and cultural expression. Through coursework in literary analysis, creative writing, and linguistics, students develop advanced critical thinking and communication skills.

These programs emphasize the ability to interpret complex texts, craft persuasive arguments, and express ideas clearly in writing and speech. English majors are well-equipped for careers that demand precision, creativity, and adaptability in communication, such as editing and copywriting.

Editor

Editors are essential in polishing written content to ensure clarity, accuracy, and strong audience engagement. Collaborating with authors, journalists, and content creators, they focus on grammatical precision, logical flow, and adherence to the publication's style guidelines. Their responsibilities often extend to shaping the tone and enhancing the impact of materials, whether for books, articles, or digital media.

Copywriter

Copywriters craft engaging marketing and promotional materials designed to capture attention and persuade audiences. They produce content such as advertisements, social media posts, product descriptions, and email campaigns. Strong writing skills and a deep understanding of audience behavior enable copywriters to create compelling messages that resonate with target consumers.

6. Law

Law degrees, earned after a bachelor's degree, are called a Juris Doctor (JD) that prepares individuals for careers in law. This rigorous program focuses on the study of legal principles, case law, and ethical standards required for legal practice. JD students develop advanced skills in legal research, critical thinking, argumentation, and client advocacy.

The curriculum typically includes foundational courses in constitutional law, contracts, torts, and civil procedure, as well as electives that allow specialization in fields like corporate law, environmental law, or criminal justice. Graduates of JD programs are eligible to take the bar exam and become licensed attorneys, opening doors to a variety of legal careers.

Lawyer

Lawyers bring clarity and resolution to complex legal matters, representing clients in negotiations, courtrooms, and other legal settings. Combining their deep understanding of the law with critical thinking and advocacy skills, they craft strategies that protect rights and achieve favorable outcomes. Whether drafting contracts, defending clients, or mediating disputes, lawyers work diligently to navigate legal systems and provide sound guidance.

Legal Consultant

A JD also enables professionals to offer specialized legal advice as consultants. They work outside traditional law firms, advising businesses on legal compliance, drafting policies, or providing insights on industry-specific regulations. This role allows JD holders to apply their expertise in sectors like healthcare, technology, or finance.

7. Religion

Religion and theological studies explores the complexities of belief systems, ethical frameworks, and their influence on societies and cultures throughout history. Students engage in the study of theology, religious texts, rituals, and the role of religion in shaping human behavior and institutions. They also examine interfaith dialogue and the intersection of religion with social, political, and cultural issues.

This interdisciplinary approach equips students with critical thinking, empathy, and communication skills, preparing them to navigate diverse cultural and spiritual contexts as a chaplain or community outreach coordinator.

Chaplain

Chaplains provide spiritual guidance and emotional support in institutions such as hospitals, military bases, prisons, and universities. They offer counseling, lead religious services, and support individuals facing personal or spiritual crises.

Community Outreach Coordinator

Community outreach coordinators use their knowledge of religion and cultural systems to design and implement programs that address societal needs. They work with faith-based organizations or nonprofits to foster community engagement, provide resources to underserved populations, and promote mutual understanding across different cultural or religious groups.

Social Sciences Degrees

Another type of liberal arts degree is social sciences degrees. The social sciences examine human behavior, relationships, and societal structures, exploring how individuals and groups interact within cultural, political, and economic systems. This field uses both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze complex social phenomena, such as inequality, governance, and cultural change.

By studying the social sciences, you'll develop critical thinking and research skills and learn more about the dynamics that shape societies and influence decision-making at personal and institutional levels. This discipline provides tools to understand and address societal challenges, fostering a deeper comprehension of human interactions and their impact on the world. Below are the most common types of social sciences liberal arts degrees.

1. Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of human cultures, societies, and biological evolution, both past and present. You could earn a liberal arts degree in anthropology and its subfields, including cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, and linguistic anthropology. In these programs, you'll develop skills in ethnographic research, data analysis, and cross-cultural communication.

By utilizing research, fieldwork, and analysis, anthropologists aim to understand the diversity of human experiences, traditions, and adaptations. If you earn this type of liberal arts degree you could become a cultural anthropologist, field archeologist, or forensic anthropologist.

Cultural Anthropologist

Cultural anthropologists focus on understanding and documenting the practices, beliefs, and social systems of diverse human societies. They often conduct ethnographic fieldwork, immersing themselves in communities to observe and analyze rituals, customs, and everyday life. Their work informs projects in international development, education, and cultural preservation.

Field Archeologist

If you study archeology, you can become a field archeologist who conducts excavations at sites ranging from ancient settlements to burial grounds. They carefully recover artifacts, document their findings, and analyze site data to understand historical contexts to contribute to museums, academic research, and cultural resource management projects.

Forensic Anthropologist

Last, forensic anthropologists apply their knowledge of human biology and anatomy to legal investigations. They analyze skeletal remains to determine age, sex, ancestry, and cause of death, providing critical information in criminal cases or disaster recovery efforts. Their expertise is instrumental in identifying individuals and solving complex forensic puzzles.

2. Criminal Justice

Another field of social sciences degree is criminal justice. Criminal justice degrees examine the systems and processes involved in law enforcement, crime prevention, legal proceedings, and corrections. Some of the courses explore criminology, forensic science, and justice administration to address societal challenges related to crime and security.

Because criminal justice graduates have developed critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and effective communication skills, they are prepared to uphold and enforce the law to promote public safety. Usually, this degree leads to careers in the justice system, such as police officer or corrections officer.

Police Officer

Police officers serve as the frontline of law enforcement, tasked with maintaining public safety and enforcing laws. They respond to emergencies, investigate crimes, and engage with communities to foster trust and cooperation.

Corrections Officer

Corrections officers oversee individuals in jails, prisons, or detention facilities, ensuring the safety and security of both inmates and staff. They also play a role in the rehabilitation process, supporting programs designed to prepare incarcerated individuals for reintegration into society.

3. Economics

A field quite different from criminal justice is economics. Simply put, economics is the study of how resources are produced, distributed, and consumed within societies. It analyzes financial systems, market behavior, and decision-making processes at individual, organizational, and governmental levels.

In an economics program, you'll study microeconomics, which focuses on individual markets and consumer behavior, and macroeconomics, which examines broader economic trends like inflation, unemployment, and international trade. Majoring in economics prepares you for many careers, but we will highlight becoming a market analyst or economist.

Marketing Analyst

Marketing analysts assess consumer behavior, industry trends, and competitive environments to support informed business strategies. Using collected data, they generate reports and propose actionable recommendations to refine product launches, pricing structures, and marketing initiatives. This analytical work plays a key role in helping businesses adapt to market demands and maintain a competitive edge.

Economist

Economists explore the forces that shape our world, from how goods are produced to why prices rise and fall. They use data to uncover patterns and build models that explain economic shifts, offering a glimpse into the future of markets and industries. By sharing their insights, economists help governments and businesses make decisions that affect everything from your paycheck to the cost of your morning coffee.

4. Political Science

Political science degrees help you understand how governments work, why laws are made, and how political decisions impact your community and the world around you. It prioritizes the structure of governments to the ways people and groups influence politics.

Studying political science builds your skills in analyzing data, evaluating policies, and understanding public opinion, giving you the tools to make sense of societal trends and complex political issues. Whether you're curious about international relations or how local decisions shape daily life, this field equips you to engage meaningfully with the political landscape.

Legislative Assistant

With a political science degree, you can become a legislative assistant. They work closely with lawmakers, conducting research on proposed legislation, preparing briefings, and drafting speeches or press releases. They also track policy developments and communicate with constituents to ensure their concerns are addressed.

Campaign Manager

Political science degrees also prepare you for being a campaign manager. Campaign managers oversee all aspects of political campaigns, including strategy development, fundraising, media relations, and voter outreach. They coordinate teams, plan events, and manage advertising efforts to ensure the candidate's platform resonates with the public.

5. Psychology

One of the most popular liberal arts degrees in psychology. Many people are fascinated by how humans behave, understand the world around them, and react to their circumstancesa psychology degree gives them the opportunity to study that.

In a degree program, students learn about developmental, clinical, cognitive, and social psychology, providing insights into mental health, learning processes, and interpersonal relationships. Psychology fosters critical thinking and research skills, preparing individuals to address challenges in healthcare, education, and organizational settings as a clinical psychologist or industrial-organizational psychologist, to name a few of the available career options.

Clinical Psychologist

First, clinical psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat mental health disorders through therapy and intervention strategies. They work in hospitals, private practices, or community centers to support individuals in achieving emotional well-being.

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Another psychology career is industrial-organizational psychology. They apply psychological principles to workplace challenges, improving employee performance, job satisfaction, and organizational culture by conducting assessments, developing training programs, and advising management on effective practices.

6. Sociology

Even though sociology may seem similar to psychology, it's still different. Sociology degrees investigates social behavior, relationships, and the structures of institutions that shape human interactions. This field examines topics like family dynamics, education systems, cultural norms, social inequality, and the impact of race, gender, and class on society.

Sociologists use research methods such as surveys, interviews, and statistical analysis to study how individuals and groups interact within social contexts. This discipline provides valuable insights into the patterns and challenges of human behavior, equipping professionals to address societal issues and improve community well-being.

Social Worker

Many sociology graduates become social workers. Social workers use their understanding of sociology to help individuals and families access essential resources, such as housing, healthcare, and education. They provide emotional support, advocate for client needs, and connect people with community programs and services.

Demographer

You could also become a demographer who analyzes population data to identify trends related to birth rates, migration, aging, and other social factors. You'll use statistical tools to study how populations grow and change over time, helping governments, businesses, and organizations plan for future needs.

7. International Relations

Have you ever wondered how nations work togetheror clashon issues that affect the entire world? International relations is the study of global politics, diplomacy, and the interactions between nations, organizations, and individuals on the international stage. This field dives into topics like international law, global trade, conflict resolution, and human rights.

You'll learn to analyze complex geopolitical issues, assess the impact of policies, and navigate cultural differences in cross-border communication. Along the way, you'll develop skills in negotiation, critical thinking, and cultural awareness, preparing you to tackle challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, and global security. Two of the many careers you can pursue with this degree are diplomacy and political advising.

Diplomat

Diplomats represent their country's interests abroad, working to build and maintain relationships with other nations. They participate in negotiations, advocate for policies, and provide support to citizens living or traveling overseas. Diplomats also promote trade, cultural exchange, and peaceful conflict resolution, requiring exceptional communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and a deep understanding of international law and politics.

Policy Advisor

The other career is being a policy advisor. They specialize in international relations and develop strategies to address global challenges and promote international cooperation. They analyze geopolitical trends, propose policy solutions, and work with governments, businesses, or nonprofits to implement initiatives. Their expertise is critical in crafting agreements, resolving conflicts, and fostering partnerships that support global stability and progress.

8. Geography

The connections between where we live and how we live are at the heart of geography. Geography programs examine the relationships between physical spaces and human activities, focusing on the dynamic interactions between environments and societies.

This field blends physical geography, which studies landforms, climates, and ecosystems, with human geography, which investigates population distribution, urban development, and cultural landscapes. Using advanced tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), geographic studies analyze spatial data to solve real-world problems. By studying geography, you gain skills in spatial reasoning, data analysis, and environmental planning, making it an essential discipline for sustainable development and urban management that allows you to pursue the careers explained below.

Urban Planner

Urban planners design and develop sustainable and functional city layouts by evaluating land use, infrastructure needs, and population growth. They also address environmental concerns, ensuring cities are resilient to climate change and other challenges.

Cartographer

Another geography career is cartography. Cartographers specialize in creating maps that visually represent physical spaces and geographic data. They use GIS technology and surveying techniques to produce accurate and detailed maps for purposes such as navigation, urban planning, and environmental conservation.

Natural Sciences Degrees

Natural sciences, the third type of liberal arts degree, investigates the physical and natural world through systematic observation, experimentation, and analysis. This field seeks to understand the principles and laws that govern the universe, from the behavior of atoms to the dynamics of ecosystems and celestial bodies.

The discipline fosters a curiosity about the natural world and provides tools to address pressing challenges, such as environmental sustainability, healthcare innovation, and technological advancement. By applying the scientific method, natural sciences contribute to improving human life and understanding the complexities of our environment.

1. Biology

Biology reveals the intricate details of life, from the smallest cells to vast ecosystems. It is the study of living organisms, their structures, functions, behaviors, and interactions within their environments. This field en