Recent graduates are facing a tough job market. Young people – and even colleges – are asking fundamental, existential questions: What does it mean to be educated? And will an expensive college education help set in motion a future career? 

As enrollment declines, costs rise, and political pressure intensifies, some colleges and universities are rethinking the liberal arts. They’re restructuring and rebranding programs to emphasize applied humanities, weaving career preparation directly into the curriculum.  

In this episode of College Uncovered, GBH’s Kirk Carapezza visits Brandeis University and Clark University to learn how two liberal arts schools are responding to some of the biggest challenges the higher education industry has faced in decades. Can this model survive? 

Kirk also speaks with Scott Carlson, a senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education and author of the new book Hacking College: Why the Major Doesn’t Matter and What Really Does. Carlson argues that colleges need to “systemize serendipity.”

“I think colleges and universities need to take a more deliberate role in helping students figure out this is how the college game is played and these are the various directions you can take these degrees,” Carlson says. 

Links:

Brandeis bets big on rebuilding the liberal arts around real-world skills

Clark University braces for a harsh new reality as higher ed recession looms

From Robin Hood to resumes: The humanities get a job market makeover

The Revenge of the Humanities

“College Uncovered” is made possible by Lumina Foundation.

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Credits:

Host and Producer: Kirk Carapezza 

Editors: Azita Ghahramani and Lisa Wardle

Executive Producer: Lee Hill  

Mixing and Sound Design: David Goodman & Gary Mott

Theme Song and original music: Left-Roman

Artwork: Matt Welch 

Project Manager: Isabel Hibbard

Consulting Producer and Head of GBH Podcasts: Devin Maverick Robins

"College Uncovered" is a production of GBH News