Non-liberal studies include courses in agriculture, business, marketing, technology, health, engineering technology, education, home economics, trade and industry. Non-liberal studies are often, but not necessarily, vocational in focus.
Non-liberal studies help students gain marketable skills. They also prepare graduates of two-year colleges to enter career fields of interest with some level of training and skills.
Non-liberal studies supplement the traditional liberal arts curriculum of many colleges and universities, providing a balanced education.
A study by the Center for the Study of Community Colleges found that business and office education courses comprised the largest non-liberal arts category in U.S. community colleges.
Credits in non-liberal arts courses that are transferable to universities and other institutions vary by type of course and the institution in question.