A graduate liberal arts education encompasses many unique subjects, such as humanities, music and religion. Graduates can earn their master’s and doctoral degrees from online colleges that focus on communications, history, general arts and many more topics.

Because liberal arts covers so many different subjects, graduates are eligible for a wide variety of careers. From gallery assistant, grant writer, museum coordinator to urban planner, liberal arts grads can use the skills and knowledge they’ve gained in school and put them to use at a number of work settings and occupations. A common career path for liberal arts graduates is becoming college professors. Because graduates are studying higher education subjects, such as humanities, philosophy and anthropology, they have a genuine interest in these explorative subjects. The focus of their graduate studies may end up being the same subject they want to teach and research even further. However, graduates can also teach other subjects that are broader, such as English or communications. For more information on liberal arts education and college professor careers, you should visit the Association for General and Liberal Studies. This national forum is dedicated to improving the educational experience of American colleges by emphasizing the purpose and scope of general and liberal undergraduate education. This college forum compares liberal education goals, promotes scholarly activity and lists professor openings. Another career that liberal arts graduates may be interested in is social services and other nonprofit work. Social services encompasses a variety of occupations, including religious educators and directors, rehabilitation counselors and marriage and family therapists. A master’s degree in social work or a related field has become the norm, but some of these careers may require separate certifications or schooling. Liberal arts graduates can offer their community-centered and critical thinking skills, as well as their strong emphasis on language and multicultural topics. Having all of these unique skills makes liberal arts graduates more marketable in social services. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the majority of social workers specialized in children, families and schools. Others were employed in medical and public health, mental health and substance abuse and other types of social work. In 2006, the median annual earnings of social workers, employed in local and state governments and individual and family services, were $43,580. For a complete listing of career ideas and resources, check out Eastern Association of Colleges and Employer’s Resource Guide for Liberal Arts Majors.

The job prospects for college professors is expected to rise, as more students are attending colleges and universities. For social workers, employment is expected to increase by 22 percent during 2006 to 2016. This exponential growth can be attributed to the aging population, and need to replace social workers who leave the occupation. Liberal arts graduates have a strong advantage in today’s job market, thanks to their well-rounded education and work experience. With an advanced degree and marketable skills, graduates will have more career options to choose from than students with specific majors.