The Future of Liberal Arts in Higher Education: A Policy Delphi Study

A comprehensive undergraduate experience encompasses a broad survey of the humanities, arts, social sciences, and multicultural and global education, as well as mathematics, science, and technology. These disciplines are essential components of a liberal arts education that prepares students with the skills and knowledge to navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic future, regardless of disciplinary major. In recent decades, decreasing enrollments and shrinking budgets have begun to threaten the very existence of many of these programs. In response, some leaders are electing to eliminate liberal arts majors in favor of supporting career and workforce preparation programs, while others are piloting innovative curricular redesign across disciplines that coherently integrates liberal arts programs with professional and career pathways. This study utilized the policy Delphi method to engage a panel of education experts in an iterative conversation around how to manage decreasing enrollments in liberal arts courses and programs. The goal was to generate a robust set of policy options designed to enable higher education leaders to optimally respond to the myriad internal and external threats to the liberal arts disciplines. The recommendation to innovate liberal arts programs and courses could take years to operationalize, but with good strategic planning and faculty engagement, it may be the key to saving liberal arts education.