Humanities can simply be defined as the study of culture. Humanists (scholars working in the humanities field) take an analytical, critical, and speculative approach when examining the human condition. Humanities are considerably history-based and consist of a vast range of disciplines including literature, languages, communication studies, visual arts, religion, philosophy, law, performing arts, anthropology, and linguistics.
Students pursuing a career in humanities must be curious and inquisitive. Humanists ask many questions regarding social and cultural issues and interpret meaning from studying subjects such as language or historical events. Students conduct research, formulate hypotheses, and discover different ways of thinking about the world therefore, it is essential that students in humanities are open-minded and versatile in their thinking...Read More
With a degree in humanities, a student may secure a position in social work or education or become archivists, anthropologists, or art curators. Due to numerous disciplines which fall under the humanities umbrella, a graduate student will have various options to choose from.
Humanities Degree Levels Available
Associate's Degree in Humanities
An associate's degree in humanities provides students with thorough exposure to the liberal arts. This two-year program includes courses such as global issues, literature, creative writing, art history, and economics. Students who graduate from this program may gain employment as a social services worker, museum guide, or human resource assistant. This two-year degree is somewhat limited as far as opportunities and salary; a student with an associate's degree in humanities who would like to advance to a higher position as well as salary, should continue onto the bachelor's degree in humanities.
Bachelor's Degree in Humanities
The bachelor's degree in humanities is typically a four-year program which includes courses with a foundation in disciplines such as literature, linguistics, art, history, philosophy, religion, or theatre. During this program, students choose from a number of subjects to specialize in and often write an honours thesis regarding research in their field of focus during their fourth year of study. Students graduating with a bachelor's degree in humanities may become educators, editors, journalists, or reporters.
Master's Degree in Humanities (MH)
The master's degree in humanities program consists of an interdisciplinary curriculum which allows students the freedom to choose a broad (non-thesis) approach or an area of specialization (thesis) approach. With the thesis approach, students choose an advisor from the college or university they wish to attend to work with. Students base this choice on their level of interest in a prospective professor's research. The master's degree in humanities program generally takes two years to complete.
Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) Degree in Humanities
Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in humanities are prepared for positions in academia, that is, college or university professors. The curriculum involves conducting literature reviews, using advanced research techniques, student instructor positions, and the defense of a thesis. Students' theses are written proposals of what they may contribute to their field of specialization in the humanities discipline.
Admission Requirements
Although various colleges and universities may vary slightly, students can expect fairly standard admission requirements when applying to obtain an associate's or bachelor's degree in humanities. Successful completion of high school or an academic equivalent (such as a GED) is required along with high school transcripts displaying grades obtained in completed courses. SAT or ACT test scores are almost always required as well. If a student fulfills all of these requirements, then an application form from the college or university must be completed and submitted along with an application fee, which of course varies depending on the institution. Some colleges or universities may require applicants to submit creative writing samples.
Tuition and Accreditation
An associate's degree in humanities' tuition fees may vary between $12 000 and $20 000 in total. A bachelor's degree in humanities' tuition fees may vary between $20 000 to $40 000 annually for four years. A master's degree in humanities' tuition fees may vary between $30 000 to $60 000 in total. A doctoral degree in humanities' tuition fees may vary between $40 000 to $80 000 annually for two years.
Colleges and universities which offer an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, or a doctoral degree in humanities must be aligned with AALE (The American Academy for Liberal Education) standards. Most employers only hire students who graduated from a AALE-accredited institution.
Annual Salary for Different Occupations in Counseling
A humanities graduate's salary is based on various factors which include (but are not limited to) their level of education, level of experience, and their field of specialization. Earnings may vary drastically from person to person. However, here are a few of the median annual earnings for the most common professions in the humanities field:
- College Professor $98 500
- Tourism Director $58 000
- Museum Curator $48 450
- Editor $65 000
- Journalist $29 500
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