Benedictine University: College-bound students looking for an employment edge should consider a strong liberal arts school

LISLE, Ill., May 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Some health organizations, hospitals and doctors' offices get bad reputations for mass producing health care that can limit doctor-patient interaction.

Patients, doctors and health insurance companies are at times at odds on how best to implement quality patient care. However, most agree that a strong liberal arts education helps practitioners provide the best service to patients – and better care means a healthier society and lower medical costs.

There is a growing trend among higher education institutions to ensure future scientists, health care practitioners, business leaders and information technology gurus understand liberal arts are vital to excelling in their fields. Students who enjoy a strong liberal arts curriculum make better doctors and business professionals who have strong writing skills and cross-cultural understanding. They also are more open-minded, sensitive and conscientious to others' needs.

Known for its rigorous science programs, Benedictine University incorporates values-centered studies into core degree requirements. By doing so, the University creates well-rounded graduates who are not only well-versed and practiced in their field of study, but also bring a personal value and concern for others that can enhance performance.

"We don't teach our students what to think – we teach them how to think," said Benedictine University President William J. Carroll, Ph.D.

Medical schools are now teaching Carroll's premise, requiring their students to take seminars and courses aimed at training future doctors on how to be compassionate and culturally aware. These medical students also take writing and art courses to help them to think critically and improve their concentration.

Likewise, some Benedictine students and alumni say the core liberal arts curriculum better prepared them for pursuing careers in health care.

"I feel that the liberal arts programs encouraged me to pursue my interest in the humanities, history and arts, as well as helped me to cultivate my creativity," said Benedictine senior Paul Nguyen, who graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. "By supplementing my science electives with courses on Russian history, medieval history, poetry and studies in the contemporary world, I felt that I was being stimulated in courses in both logic and creativity."

Read more of Nguyen's story and learn more about Benedictine at ben.edu/liberalarts.

SOURCE Benedictine University