Is a degree in Liberal Studies and Liberal Arts the same thing, and if so, what can you do with this degree?

Question

If they are different, which is better?

Answer 1

It depends on the context that the term is used in. In some cases they are the same, in others they are not.

A Bachelor of Arts in English Literature is a liberal arts degree for example. The liberal arts are a generally area of study and may include the humanities, social sciences, and natural science/math.

A Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts is simply one in which the major is liberal arts and is spread amongst all of the liberal arts instead of one.

Liberal Studies sometimes implies an even wider distribution into the applied professional fields and even the applied and fine arts.

In most general terms, a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts or a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (without a specific major) implies a wide exposure to all fields.

They are wonderful for creating a degree plan for those people who are in college mostly because they want to learn a lot of stuff.

What you do with a Bachelor (or Master) or Arts in Liberal Arts is think and learn. These aren't designed as degree=job educations.

I was once told by a liberal arts college dean, the purpose of a liberal arts education is "to make your brain a better place to live for the rest of your life"

Contrast this with say a Bachelor of Education - designed specifically to get you the job of teacher.

At one time, the BA in Liberal Arts was the sole realm of wealthy elitist intellectuals who didn't need to spend time working - the spent their time thinking.

They are excellent preparation for graduate study or law school.

Which is better depends entirely upon what you want to learn. If you mean which earns the most money, you're looking in the wrong place - medical doctors earn the most money.