Liberal Arts Education at Most Colleges?

Hey folks, a bit confused. Do most colleges provide a liberal arts style of education? I'm interested in a holistic learning environment. Thanks in advance for your insight!

Indeed, many U.S. colleges offer what is referred to as a “liberal arts education”—both in liberal arts colleges specifically and in many larger universities. A liberal arts education emphasizes breadth of knowledge across multiple disciplines, critical thinking, and effective communication, among a host of other skills.

For example, a student pursuing a major in English might also take courses in the sciences, mathematical thinking, and perhaps a foreign language. Similarly, a student studying a science discipline might also study humanities and social sciences. These requirements are designed in such a way as to expose students to various thought processes, methodologies and perspectives.

One characteristic of a strong liberal arts program is the focus on holistic learning and personal growth in addition to the purely academic. This might be reflected, for instance, in encouraging internships or study abroad programs to complement classroom learning, offering a wide range of extracurricular activities, or placing emphasis on community service and civic engagement.

Keep in mind, however, that the degree of "liberal arts-style" education can significantly vary across institutions. Some schools might require a specific set or number of general education requirements (known as "Gen Eds"), such as mandatory courses in writing, math, sciences, humanities and social sciences, regardless of the major. Others might offer more flexibility, allowing students to design their own curriculum within the framework of minimal distribution requirements.

As a result, it’s key to look closely at each school's core curriculum or distribution requirements when considering colleges and universities to apply. This information can often be found on the school's website, specifically in the course catalog or under the academics section.