Some college students may wonder why their school asks them to take a class in philosophy when they are seeking a degree in physics. But studying several different subjects in addition to a student’s chosen major is the main idea behind a liberal arts education. Many colleges and universities describe themselves as liberal arts schools. Students at these educational institutions are able to choose the main subject they want to study, such as economics. The school also requires them to take a number of classes in several unrelated subjects, like the arts or languages. This is far different from institutions offering degree programs that directly relate to a specific career or industry. These programs are often just for areas of specialized training, such as business, engineering or medicine. And students preparing for a career in these fields only take classes that relate to their study program.