What is a Liberal Arts College?

College Search & Lists
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<p>Hi, I have heard the term quite a bit, but never really understood what makes a LAC unique. I know they are smaller than most universities, but this is not always the case. So…what’s so special about them? Sorry if this has been answered before…</p>

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<p>What makes an LAC an LAC ,in my opinion , is it’s faculty. The faculty in LACs are more student centered compared to universities where professors are more intrested in completing research in order to keep thier job. The classes are a lot smaller at an LAC and there is more opportunities for one to dig into different academic subjects.</p>

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<p>Overall an LAC is all about the undergrads</p>

4

<p>A simple google search would solve this.</p>

5

<p>I think the general distinction is actually in the fact that LACs typically do not offer graduate study, while universities do. </p>

<p>That’s what I’ve read, at least.</p>

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<p>I agree with the above poster. That is also the distinction made by USNews. However, the fact that there are not graduate programs leads to other characteristics that are seen as hallmarks of LACs.</p>

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<p>And LACs typically don’t offer professional programs (e.g. business), but a few have engineering departments.</p>

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<p>“The term liberal arts has come to mean studies that are intended to provide general knowledge and general intellectual skills rather than more specialized occupational, scientific, or artistic skills”</p>

<p>-Copied Directly From Wikpedia
Did that Help ???</p>

<p>Just 2 enlighten you some more</p>

<p>The term liberal in liberal arts is from the Latin word liberalis, meaning “appropriate for free men”…also copied from Wikipedia…hehe; Just practicing my “Non-Plagiarism skills”</p>

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<p>Wikipedia doesn’t help. What is a specialized scientific skill?</p>

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<p>In this context? Nursing/Business/Architecture/Engineering(sort of)/etc.</p>

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<p>although be wary of these statements. most universities have “Liberal Arts Colleges.” If you major in english, math, physics, history, etc. you’re likely in the liberal arts college of a university.</p>

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<p>YEah, like university of Michigan has its LS&A (college of Literature, Science, and the Arts) Which is basically just for general subjects - sciences, humanities, english, foreign language, etc. </p>

<p>Then, they have the Engineering School, Business, Nursing, Architecture and others. </p>

<p>However, LSA is very large (most students graduate from it) and you aren’t likely to get that LAC “feel.”</p>

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<p><a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_arts_college[/url]”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_arts_college&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>So Authentic, you can recieve a liberal-arts education WITHIN a university, I think the poster is asking more about the experience.</p>

15

<p>hmmm…Never experienced it yet…hopefully when I get into Amherst I’ll give you a little 4-1-1</p>