Liberal Arts Isn’t Just for the Privates
In today’s hyper-competitive college world, one would think there’s only about 100 schools when in actuality there are more than 4,000 colleges and universities. Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) try to differentiate themselves from institutions that may be just down the road or thousands of miles away. Let’s face it, if I asked you to create a list of 30 schools I bet there are certain schools that will land on your list. They’ve become synonymous with higher education in this country, and to some around the world.
But these schools make up a very small subsect of post-secondary education. And not every school is the right fit for every student. Want to go into engineering? Then you should make sure the college offers it as an undergraduate degree. And perhaps they offer a B.S. in engineering but they don’t break it down further. A B.S. in engineering is not the same as a B.S. in geological engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, or biomedical engineering.
Some schools define themselves as liberal arts colleges (LACs), and in today’s political environment this can be confusing. The term liberal arts has nothing to do with politics and it is not reserved for the study of arts and humanities subjects. Rather, LACs provide a broad-based education, even for students majoring in engineering, business, or others. For some, a liberal arts education is a mark of distinction and even inspires some to consider it as the ultimate form of education.
Students best fitted to a liberal arts college are looking for a well-rounded education, knowing that their education may not prepare them for one specific career or vocation, but will instead prepare them to learn how to learn and how to apply that learning to virtually anything. I know, that sounds very meta.
So what do Madeleine Albright, Julia Child, HIllary Clinton, Wes Craven, Steve Carrell, Lupita Nyong’o, Meryl Streep, Ken Salazar, Spike Lee, and Doris Kearns Goodwin all have in common? You probably guessed it - they all graduated from a liberal arts college (LAC).
Well-known LACs include Amherst College, Bowdoin, Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr, Colorado College, Smith College, Berea, Morehouse, Spelman, St. Olaf, and Lewis and Clark. This list is certainly not all-inclusive. There are many well-known LACs and some may be more familiar to you based on where you reside. Head east of the Mississippi and you’ll find many more LACs than in the Rocky Mountain west.
But there are many public colleges which espouse the liberal arts philosophy and many demonstrate this commitment by belonging to the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC). Are you familiar with any COPLAC schools? Let’s find out who they are and where they are.
COPLAC was founded in 1987 with the aim of promoting the value and importance of liberal arts education at public institutions. The organization serves as a platform for member colleges to collaborate, share resources, and advocate for the unique qualities of a liberal arts education. COPLAC institutions generally emphasize small class sizes, close student-faculty interactions, a broad-based curriculum, and a commitment to undergraduate education (many do offer graduate degrees). I will highlight that two of these schools, University of Minnesota-Morris and Fort Lewis College, are Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions and offer tuition waivers for members of Alaskan Native and Native American nations and tribes.
The specific member institutions of COPLAC may change over time, so it's a good idea to visit their website for an up-to-date list of member colleges. Want to learn about a specific school and how they bring a liberal arts education to life? Reach out to the specific school and ask them about their curriculum and the expectations of their graduates. Graduates of LACS should have specific skills, including:
Critical thinking
Communication skills
Adaptability
Problem solving
Ethical reasoning
Cultural competence
A graduate of an LAC should be confident that they’ve received the highest quality experience and education to prepare them for a life of learning and growth. Make sure you understand how the school delivers this kind of education to its students so you may rest assured knowing that you’ve found the right place to meet your expectations.
I empower college-curious and college-bound students and families with the knowledge, tools, and confidence for college success. I will guide you through the complexities of college admissions and beyond, so you can create your boundless life.
Have a question or comment? Please leave it in the comment section below or contact me at mark@mastalskicoaching.com.
There’s no one way to do college.
Be Boundless.
