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The Confidence to Face a Changing World

Baker’s liberal arts education develops critical thinking and communication skills. You’ll take courses in your major, but you will also take a wide variety of other classes. That’s what a liberal arts education is all about – broadening your view so you’ll graduate as a well-rounded person, confident in any situation.

  • In addition to courses required for a major, Baker students complete a general education program designed to show students a broad view of the world. And by understanding the process of learning, they can become lifelong learners.
  • All Baker students receive a strong liberal arts core. This common learning experience produces a deep understanding of how education reaches beyond specific fields of study.
  • In what is the largest block of courses, educational perspectives, students become skilled in new ways of thinking. Through study of social practices, historic periods, religions and more, students learn to seek answers about themselves and the world. Courses are offered in five areas or perspectives: Faith and Values, Historical, Non-Western, Aesthetic, and Scientific.
  • Baker operates on a two-semester school year — spring and fall — plus Interterm in January. During Interterm, students enroll in one course that meets Monday through Friday for three weeks. Interterm classes are extremely focused, often innovative and can include world travel or an internship in a student’s area of concentration.
  • A balanced education challenges the body as well as the mind. The two-hour fitness and well-being requirement allows Baker students to choose from a variety of classes including dance, weightlifting, golf and more. These courses give students the skills, confidence, and motivation you need to pursue a life of individual wellness.

Why is liberal arts education important in your career?

“As a business major, one of the things I find most exciting about Baker is that you're encouraged to take what you study in the classroom and apply it to the real world. A few of my classmates and I submitted a 10-page paper, providing a financing solution for an up-and-coming technology business for the Decisions Sciences Institute Conference. We had to defend our paper to a panel of business leaders, and we won. Part of the coursework that gave us the advantage over our competitors was LA101 and 102, critical thinking classes that give you confidence in your writing and decision-making skills.”

PJ says it all. Baker University students are challenged every day, not only to think but to think critically while tackling real-world problems. And that’s what today's employers are looking for. They want employees with the ability to adapt, integrate, and thrive. Flexibility is key, and Baker offers a student-focused learning environment, where you take an active role in shaping your educational experience. Dedicated professors collaborate with one another and work closely with you to ensure that you're consistently challenged as you reach your maximum potential. After graduation, these skills will give you the confidence to focus on your immediate goals and the flexibility to adapt as the world continues to evolve throughout your career.