Well-developed critical thinking skills are becoming increasingly important in every industry since they enable professionals to solve real-world problems in complex environments. William Paterson University’s online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Liberal Studies focuses on strengthening critical thinking skills within an interdisciplinary framework. Its curriculum delves into a wide range of disciplines including the humanities, social sciences, health sciences, communications and business.
This respected program is a career-boosting option for adult learners seeking to enhance their existing skills or acquire new ones on a flexible schedule. Students can tailor the program to fit their interests by choosing two main study tracks. Learning is reinforced with a capstone research project that combines the two areas of study.
The Power of Critical Thinking
A background in liberal studies offers a strong academic foundation. A multidisciplinary education helps students cultivate what are known as the 4C skills: collaboration, communication, creation and critical thinking.
A March 2023 article in Frontiers in Psychology highlighted a fascinating study of problem-solving among middle school students in Xiamen, Fujian Province. Researchers sought to determine whether interdisciplinary topic learning promoted the development of 4C skills.
Though there were few previous studies for comparison, their research showed a positive correlation between an interdisciplinary approach and critical thinking skills. The correlation was even stronger among students who used real-world scenarios to work through problems and find solutions.
Interdisciplinary Study as a Key to Improved Learning
An article by the Maine Department of Education acknowledges the importance of interdisciplinary learning. “Interdisciplinary instruction is engaging for students because it is structured in a way that moves student learning beyond just learning for learning’s sake. With interdisciplinary instruction, students are assessed on the effectiveness with which they create solutions to real-world problems,” the authors point out.
The article goes on to say that in addition to improving 4C skills among students, this type of student-centered learning is more engaging. It states: “While there is rarely one way to solve a problem, it is also rare that the evidence-based solutions to a problem lie exclusively in one content area, reinforcing the assertion that interdisciplinary instruction enhances a student’s ability to identify and solve problems.”
Practical Skills Developed in Liberal Studies
Talent Neuron says an interdisciplinary education prepares students for what it calls “future-critical jobs.” This is especially relevant when considering interdisciplinary roles in the technology sector. They write, “By developing a basic understanding of how people, technology and businesses interact, interdisciplinary skills make it possible to navigate and solve complex problems that arise from these interactions.”
The skills for future-ready workforces Talent Neuron refers to overlap with the assertions of previously cited experts. The article states that these five skills are crucial for developing a skill set that is highly valued in every industry and will continue to be in the future.
- Market research
- Adaptability
- Leadership and teamwork
- Active learning
- Critical and analytical thinking
When it comes to critical and analytical thinking, Talent Neuron emphasizes that these two skills are essential in any line of work, not just scientific or technical fields. As organizations rely more on technology and innovation, critical and analytical thinking are especially valuable in any organization, it states.
Transferable Skills and Career Paths
Students who enroll in William Paterson University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies program get to choose from several tracks, each of which puts them on a specialized career path. Students complete the program with transferable skills in areas such as business administration, criminal justice, professional writing, healthcare, psychology and sociology.
Hyper-focused coursework enables students to develop expertise in career-relevant areas such as financial accounting or business law, while also gaining business acumen in broader areas. Upon completion, graduates enter the workforce prepared to tackle real-world problems in their chosen field.
Learn more about William Paterson University’s online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Liberal Studies program.
