Especially in challenging economic times, the value of a general education can come into question. Specialized education, especially in fields that are in demand, can be compelling to students and displaced workers. Specialized education certainly has its benefits, but general education can also be valuable in successfully navigating the job market as well as in providing a well-rounded education. It is also possible to obtain both specialized and general education at the same institution.
Aspects of General Education
A general education at the undergraduate level is also known as a liberal arts concentration. Students pursue several courses in a particular subject as a major. Oftentimes a second subject is chosen as a minor, for which students take a smaller number of courses. Sometimes the major and minor are related, as in writing and English. Other combinations of major and minor are completely unrelated, as in music and chemistry. The humanities play a major role in a general education. Most four-year colleges and universities offer a liberal arts curriculum as either a major portion or all of their available coursework. Many two-year institutions also offer a liberal arts curriculum as an option for those students who wish to transfer to a four-year college or university.
Advantages of General Education
Mortimer Adler was a 20th-century philosopher and educator and the author of the highly influential book "Read a Book." Adler promoted a "Great Books" and "Great Ideas" curriculum, which emphasizes the study of classical literature and critical thought. Adler believed that a general education was the best preparation for both work and life, arguing that it gives students the skills to be better citizens and better people. Besides providing a well-rounded course of study, a general education builds a foundation for more specialized study later. A general education can also impart skills--such as writing and critical thinking--that are valuable in nearly any workplace. Depending on the major subject, a general education can also provide practical preparation for the workplace.
Aspects of Specialized Education
Specialized education is just what the term suggests: a course of study focused on a particular subject. Specialized education is often focused on training to prepare students for the workplace. An example of a specialized educational institution is a vocational school where students study skilled trades such as mechanics or electrical work. However, specialized education can be pursued in a wide range of subjects, especially at the post-baccalaureate level. Graduate business school is a prime example; medical school is another. Many specialized education programs include electives, or courses that are not directly related to the primary course of study. However, there are usually far fewer electives offered in a specialized education program than there are for a general education program.
Advantages of Specialized Education
For someone who is certain about his chosen profession, a specialized education can be the right choice. An obvious example is a musician who chooses to study at a school like Juilliard. Vocationally oriented specialized education curricula can give the student a definite advantage in the job market. Besides the very focused course of study, specialized education programs often offer their students co-op or other work-related experience. Specialized education programs can often be completed in a shorter time than general education programs, which can save a significant amount of money. Many working adults pursue specialized education programs to begin or resume their careers in the least possible amount of time.
Considerations
In a difficult economy, many less affluent students believe that a general education, especially in the humanities, is a luxury they cannot afford. It is generally easier to make the transition from a general to a specialized education than vice versa, although moving in the opposite direction is not impossible. The life circumstances of the student are likely to be the biggest influence on the choice between general and specialized education.
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