Humanities: Study Resource & Degree Program Information

General Information About Humanities Degree Programs

Students do not earn a degree in humanities per se. Rather, students working towards earning an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree from a college or university receive a broad-based education in liberal arts, focusing on one particular aspect of the humanities, be it classics, language, philosophy, art history or some other liberal art.

Humanities Degree Study Options

Students interested in the humanities can get started at a junior college pursuing an Associate of Arts degree with a liberal arts major such as philosophy, classics studies or comparative literature. Those prepared for a full four-year college or university will pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in similar subjects. Students may then choose to move on to attempt to earn a master's degree or doctoral degree in the branch of humanities of their choice.

Advanced Humanities Degrees

Students interested in the humanities will usually pursue a master's degree or doctorate in the field of their undergraduate major, although this is not always the case. Humanities students may opt for a Master of Arts in English Literature, Philosophy, Theology, Classical Studies or any other liberal arts area. They may choose to branch out into social sciences such as history and psychology or may choose to pursue a professional degree such as one in law, business or medicine.

Master Of Arts Degree In The Humanities

Students who choose to obtain a masters degree in a humanities related field will gain expertise in that particular area, reading extensively and doing research on the subject in-depth. They will learn to think critically about the field and may be asked to write a thesis using original research. These degrees typically take around two years to complete.

Doctor Of Philosophy Degree In The Humanities

Students who opt for a Ph.D. in a humanities field will do even more intensive research on their chosen subject, reading the most difficult and complex texts and research in the field. These students will be expected to have a complete understanding of the material and its implications and must be prepared to submit original research that offers a significant contribution to the field. They will be expected to write a dissertation on their subject and to continue to publish in the field after the degree is conferred. These degrees typically take around five years to complete or more depending on the difficulty in producing and defending the dissertation.

Choosing A Degree In The Humanities

Designing a curriculum in the humanities is ideal for the undergraduate student who wants a well-balanced education that is rich in culture and the human experience and tradition. Students can start with a variety of courses in the humanities and then focus on one specific area once they know which one suits them the best.

Career Opportunities In Humanities

A liberal arts education forms the basis for any number of desirable careers. The most obvious choice for many humanities experts is academia, but many of those who major in liberal arts disciplines become lawyers, doctors, philosophers, sociologists, writers, editors, classicists and historians. There are few limits to what one can do with a humanities education.

Earning Potential For Humanities Careers

The earning potential for humanities students is as unlimited as the career paths. Some lawyers and doctors make six or even seven figures annually, and full college professors make in the six figures as well. Writers and editors tend to make in the $40,000 to $60,000 range.

Getting Your Humanities Degree Online

Continuing education students may find that resuming their studies by taking humanities courses online is a great place to start. This can be the basis for an associate's or bachelor's degree in one of the liberal arts divisions. The great thing about online distance education is that the coursework can be completed at the student’s convenience without any worries about meeting scheduled class times.

Getting Your Humanities Degree Offline

The right liberal arts college or university can provide a top-notch humanities education. While undergraduate students will be encouraged to take some courses in the hard sciences to give them a complete education, they will have the opportunity to take as many humanities courses as they need to find the specialization they want. Once they find it, they may already have many courses that will count towards their Bachelor of Arts major requirements, making completing the degree within four years a very manageable task. Students can then confer with professors and classmates in their area of specialization to determine the best course for future education in the discipline.