Liberal arts education (from Latin liberalis 'free' and ars 'art or principled practice')^[1] is a traditional academic course in Western higher education.^[2] Liberal arts takes the term art in the sense of a learned skill rather than specifically the fine arts. Liberal arts education can refer to studies in a liberal arts degree course or to a university education more generally. Such a course of study contrasts with those that are principally vocational, professional, or technical, as well as religiously based courses.^[3]