"What can I do with a liberal arts degree?"
You might be surprised by the variety of fields in which liberal arts graduates are prime candidates, including communications, public relations, government, law, and technology. These industries need well-rounded, critical thinkers who have a knack for creative problem-solving and communication—timeless skills that are transferrable to any career path or organization.
JBU's BS in Liberal Arts is an interdisciplinary degree program that trains students to communicate effectively, think creatively and critically, and work collaboratively with diverse groups. Students will choose to emphasize in either Communication or Politics & Ethics, adding a level of specialization to their degree. Coursework incorporates traditional liberal arts areas like literature, theology, music and visual arts with additional concentration on communications, government, and ethics.
In addition to equipping you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in your dream job, JBU's BS in Liberal Arts Program will prepare you to honor God and serve others through your work, no matter what career path you choose.
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Why study Liberal Arts at JBU?
This degree aims to give graduates the ability to connect ideas, solve problems, and communicate with multiple audiences, which are highly sought-after skills in any organization.
Whether you're taking a class on marketing or politics, you'll be challenged look at your coursework through the lens of a Biblical worldview, learning to integrate faith and work in a practical and ethical way.
We care about you, your story, and your journey to succeed and finish your degree. Classes are small, and you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate and interact with your classmates and professors. Plus, the fully-online format allows you to work from anywhere and the flexibility to take care of the people and things most important to you while finishing your degree.
A BS in Liberal Arts prepares you for multiple careers as well as advanced studies in areas like psychology, counseling, history, communications, ethics, or theology.
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Qualified and Diverse Faculty
Our faculty have the academic credentials to ensure a great education and the practical experience using real-world skills like critical analysis and reasoning to create value for organizations.
Online Liberal Arts Faculty
Gregory Varner
Associate Professor of Mathematics
Dr. Varner grew up in Southern Missouri and, after a time working in youth ministry, obtained his doctorate. When not teaching in the mathematics program, he enjoys spending time with his family.
Rodney Reed
University Chaplain
Associate Professor of Bible & Theology
Dr. Rod Reed leads the Office of Christian Formation in developing programs and processes that help students grow spiritually. You’ll see him leading chapel services and teaching classes in leadership, Biblical studies and spiritual formation. Recently, he co-edited a book with Dr. Cary Balzer, titled Building a Culture of Faith: University-Wide Partnerships for Spiritual Formation. Mostly, he loves getting to know students and helping them develop an ever-growing relationship with Christ that is big enough for whatever life brings. When he's not in his office, the classroom, or the Cathedral, you might find him playing ping pong at one of the tables on campus. He and his wife Michelle have four children.
Marquita Smith
Chair, Division of Communication and Fine Arts
Associate Professor of Journalism
Dr. Marquita Smith worked in various newsrooms before joining the faculty at John Brown University in 2010. Most recently she served as Virginia Beach city editor at The Virginian-Pilot. She joined the Pilot as a local government editor in 2001, and began teaching part-time at Hampton and Norfolk State universities. In 2008, she went on leave from The Pilot to complete a Knight International Journalism Fellowship in Liberia. During her year in West Africa, she created a judicial and justice reporting network and is helping journalists develop skills to cover the post-war nation's poverty reduction efforts. Ghanaians elected a new president in 2008, and she created several training models to help reporters and editors prepare for covering the event.
Dr. Smith, a Tennessee native, can take Siloam Springs’ U.S. Highway 412 directly to her mom’s house in Jackson, Tenn. She enjoys being closer to home.
Besides teaching responsibilities in the Communication department, Dr. Smith serves as department head and is involved with advising the student newspaper. She leads a new multi-cultural student organization on campus. New to Christian higher education, she is committed to the mission of the University and researching ways to promote more diversity within the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.
Preston Jones
Professor of History
Dr. Preston Jones' research focuses on the American Empire in the period 1898-1917 and the personal experience of combat. He has published 8 books, more than 200 articles, and he has interviewed more than 200 combat veterans. In his classes, he emphasizes the use of classic texts, such as Aristotle and Shakespeare.
Dr. Jones received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the California State University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa in Canada, where he was a Fulbright Scholar. He served in the U.S. Navy, regularly reads books in Spanish and French, and has run 45 marathons.
Jones is committed to introducing students to great texts that have stood the test of time.
Todd Bowden
Head, Department of Kinesiology
Associate Professor of Kinesiology
Associate Professor of Kinesiology, Todd Bowden, joined the John Brown University faculty in 1995. Mr. Bowden's courses include Athletic Training Techniques, Injury Evaluation and Rehabilitation, Therapeutic Exercise & Modalities, Biomechanics, and Exercise Physiology.
Mr. Bowden creates a comfortable classroom experience with his relaxed teaching style. He tries to give students as much practical application of the material as possible by utilizing much of his class time for labs.
The Christian atmosphere that he has found while teaching at JBU is what makes the experience the most enjoyable.
Mr. Bowden is the head athletic trainer for the Golden Eagle athletic program and also enjoys following the business world such as the stock market and banking.
Kyle Ireland
Director of Student Support Services
Instructor of Academic Services
Aminta Arrington
Assistant Professor of Intercultural Studies
After eight years in China, Dr. Arrington came to JBU to share her passion for the world's peoples and cultures.
Dr. Arrington has traversed both major and minor waterways throughout Southeast Asia: the Mekong River from northern Thailand, through Laos, Cambodia, and the Mekong Delta in Vietnam; the Irrawaddy river from Mandalay to Bagan in Myanmar (Burma); and, trekked through northern Thailand on foot and via bamboo raft. She has explored the ruins of ancient civilizations at Siem Reap, Cambodia; Ayutthaya and Sukhotai in Thailand; and, Hue, Vietnam. She has traveled across the length of Java (east to west) and Vietnam (south to north) by rail. She spent a year studying Japanese in Tokyo. She has participated in homestays with the Karen of northern Thailand and the Bidayuh of Malaysian Borneo. She has been attacked by monkeys in Bali and eaten mango sticky rice in Thailand too many times to count. But her greatest joys are found in worshipping God with Christians from the Global South, and in teaching her students to better understand and appreciate the depth, diversity, and beauty of what the Greek New Testament calls the pante ta ethne--the world's peoples and cultures.
