Three degrees are available to students who major in humanities. These include a bachelor’s, master’s, and a Ph.D. degree in humanities. The higher one’s education, the more opportunities there are available to those students.
There are also a number of different skills and personality traits students gain from studying areas within the humanities field. These include efficient research, writing, reading, speaking, critical thinking, cultural sensitivity, problem-solving, and linguistic skills.
Humanities Degree Levels AvailableBachelor’s Degree in HumanitiesA bachelor’s degree in humanities takes approximately four years to complete and upon graduation, students have acquired a solid groundwork of knowledge, sufficient for entry-level employment in the humanities field or for continuing onto a master’s or a doctoral program in humanities. Intro to linguistics, history, intro to psychology, contemporary art, intro to philosophy, art history, classical literature, revolutionary events, intro to anthropology, and creative arts are just a few of the subject areas covered within these four years. Occupations available to those upon graduation include case worker, event organizer, tourism director, travel agent, or public relations specialist.
Master’s Degree in HumanitiesDuring the master’s degree program in humanities, students are introduced to and begin conducting research in the humanities field. This two-year program requires students to work closely with a faculty member on a thesis, based on original research conducted by the student. Research conducted for the thesis will be focused on an area of specialization within the humanities field. Alongside the thesis work, students must take courses in areas such as English composition, theories in philosophy, modern language, culture, environmental science, political science, and geography and maintain a high GPA. Nearing the end of the second year, students defend their thesis and are able to acquire professional work in the humanities field as a policy analyst, market research analyst, or instructor or continue onto the doctoral program in humanities.
Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) Degree in HumanitiesAcquiring a Ph.D. in humanities entails an immense amount of extensive research in an area of specialization within the humanities field. Students generally build on the work they conducted in their master’s thesis. In conjunction with conducting research, students must take mandatory coursework and maintain a high GPA, submit a thesis proposal, pass both a qualifying and candidacy examination, and complete as well as defend a dissertation based on the student’s original research in the humanities field. When students complete the Ph.D. program in humanities, they have a comprehensive and profound knowledge, sufficient enough for a position in academia or upper-level employment in the humanities field.
Admission RequirementsFor most colleges and universities, the admission requirements for a bachelor’s degree program in humanities include a high school diploma or its academic equivalent (i.e., GED), a transcript from the high school the student graduated from, SAT or ACT test scores, and an application form from the college or university the student wishes to attend along with the application fee. Volunteer and/or work experience in the humanities field should be noted on the application form since this would benefit students during their application process.
The application process for a master’s or doctoral degree program in humanities can be quite substantial. Colleges and universities usually have a list of requirements which include (but are not limited to): a bachelor’s degree in humanities or a closely related field, a GPA of about 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale), test scores from the GRE (Graduate Records Examination) or the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) which should be at or above the 80th percentile, a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae, two or three reference letters written by faculty members who can vouch for the student, and an application form along with the application fee.
Tuition and AccreditationThere are numerous factors which affect college and university tuition fees such as public versus private institutions, distance education, government funding, etc. However, below are the average ranges of tuition fees for the various degrees. A bachelor’s degree in humanities may vary from $ 15,918 to $ 32,617 in tuition fees. A master’s degree in humanities may vary from $ 8,763 to $ 20,368 in tuition fees. A doctoral degree in humanities may vary from $ 45,000 to $ 60,000 annually in tuition fees. (Source: the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)
It is extremely important for students to attend an accredited institution. This tells employers that the applicant graduated from a college or university which provides high-quality education and adheres to certain academic standards. Students who obtain a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or a doctoral degree in humanities should enroll in a college or university accredited by AALE (The American Academy for Liberal Education).
Average Annual Salary Ranges for Different Occupations in the Humanities FieldBelow are a few average annual salary ranges for different occupations in the humanities field (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). However, keep in mind that there are various aspects which determine an individual’s salary such as their level of education, the extent of their experience, their field of specialization, and who they are employed by. As a result, salaries for those from the same profession may vary from person to person.
. humanities professor $ 60,450 to $ 80,450
. market research analyst $ 57,380 to $ 77,380
. travel agent $ 26,970 to $ 46,970
. social service manager $ 54,460 to $ 74,460
. anthropologist $ 50,230 to $ 70,230
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