Humanities and Social Sciences Careers

Communications

Communications explores how humans exchange information and create meaning through various channels. Professionals in this field can pursue many careers, including positions in media, marketing and advertising, and public relations. Most careers in communications require a bachelor's degree.

English

English focuses on literature analysis and composition, as well as creative writing techniques. While English professionals hold skills that are marketable to nearly every job sector, many of them work as educators, journalists, and content specialists.

Geography

In the humanities, geography examines how humans interact with and are influenced by the environment. Professionals in this field often pursue roles as cartographers, environmental planners, and teachers. Most careers require a bachelor's degree, though more specialized positions typically require a master's degree.

History

Historians study the past by examining evidence from various time periods. These professionals typically earn bachelor's or master's degrees and assume careers in fields such as education, museum studies, and business.

Journalism

Journalism focuses on gathering and reporting information, either in verbal or written form. Journalists work for all types of media, including newspapers, websites, magazines, and radio channels. The typical educational requirement for entry-level careers in journalism is a bachelor's degree.

Liberal Arts

A liberal arts education encompasses many different academic disciplines and develops students' analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills. Professionals in this field can work in a variety of industries, including retail, legal, education, and hospitality.

Library Science

Library science explores ways to collect and preserve books, information resources, and other materials in libraries. Librarians typically hold a bachelor's or master's degree and work for government agencies, elementary and secondary schools, and colleges and universities.

Math

Mathematics refers to the science that deals with numbers, shapes, and quantities. Some mathematician jobs — especially those in the federal government — only require a bachelor's degree; however, careers in the private sector typically require an advanced degree.

Ministry and Theology

Ministry and theology explore religious traditions, concepts, and typology. Ministers often work in religious organizations and may be required to hold at least a bachelor's degree. Ministers with master's or doctoral degrees can pursue leadership positions in counseling or education settings.

Music

This field focuses on the study of music through cultural and historical contexts. Musicians often find work in cities that contain many venues and entertainment activities. Musicians who hold a bachelor's degree can pursue careers in arts administration and education.

Philosophy

Philosophy explores concepts of existence, knowledge, and human nature, with a focus on ethics and morality. Professionals in philosophy often work in academic, law, and nonprofit settings. Most careers in this field require at least a bachelor's degree.

Political Science

Political science focuses on political behavior and the role of government at all levels. Political scientists typically need a master's or doctoral degree. They can pursue a variety of career paths in government agencies, political organizations, and postsecondary institutions.

Social Science

Social science refers to the study of social relationships and covers an array of subjects, such as economics, sociology, and history. Professionals in social science typically need to earn at least a bachelor's degree and can pursue careers in social work, education, and public administration.

Social Work

Social work is a field dedicated to assisting individuals, families, and communities by providing support services and advocacy efforts. Social workers usually hold a bachelor's degree and work in a variety of settings, such as schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, and community organizations.

Sociology

Sociology explores human behavior and social interaction, as well as social institutions. Sociologists often work in schools, government agencies, and research and development settings. Most sociology jobs require at least a master's degree.

Writing

In the humanities, writing is often divided into three categories: research, analytical, and creative. Professional writers can pursue careers in education, media, and business. Writers typically need a bachelor's degree for full-time positions.

Associate Degrees

Associate programs typically require about 60 credits and take two years of full-time enrollment to complete. Part-time students usually need a few additional semesters to satisfy degree requirements. Rather than focusing on one specific area of study, associate programs generally feature courses in a variety of subjects. In the humanities and social sciences, curricula often include foundational courses in disciplines such as math, English, and the arts.

With an associate degree, graduates can pursue entry-level positions in fields such as business and education. However, a two-year degree typically does not provide the knowledge and skills needed for high-paying roles. In the humanities and social sciences especially, an associate degree often serves as the starting point to a student's academic career.

Most students earn associate degrees at community colleges. However, many community colleges partner with four-year schools, allowing students to complete half of their degree requirements at a much lower cost before seamlessly transitioning to a four-year school. Additionally, many community colleges offer online associate programs, helping students meet family and work responsibilities while working towards a degree.

Bachelor's Degrees

For most careers in the humanities and social sciences, a bachelor's degree serves as the minimum educational requirement. Most bachelor's programs require 120 credits and take about four years of full-time enrollment to complete.

Unlike associate programs, which usually feature generalized courses in the humanities and social sciences, bachelor's programs allow you to focus your studies by selecting a major or concentration, such as history, journalism, psychology, or sociology.

Most undergraduate programs in the humanities and social sciences include courses in areas such as economics, political science, and literature. These classes expand on foundational concepts taught in associate programs by providing a greater level of breadth and depth in each subject area.

Humanities and social sciences majors commonly find employment working as analysts, teachers, social workers, and public relations managers. While many graduates with a bachelor's degree in the humanities and social sciences choose to enter the workforce upon graduation, some go on to pursue an advanced degree.

Master's Degrees

A master's degree provides the entry point for many advanced positions in the humanities and social sciences. While the typical master's program requires about 30-40 credits and takes two years of full-time study to complete, they can take anywhere from 1-5 years depending on the field of study and a student's enrollment status.

Humanities and social sciences graduate programs offer advanced courses in a students' focus or major. For example, a mathematics major may decide to build on their undergraduate degree and take advanced statistics and calculus courses to obtain the competencies required for higher-level positions in their field. Alternatively, some occupations, such as school counseling or political scientists, require a master's degree or higher for entry-level roles.

Master's programs typically include more rigorous courses and often require a capstone project or thesis. The advanced knowledge and skills derived from these programs can provide you with a competitive advantage in your field and qualify you for many top positions, like economists, historians, political scientists, and environmental planners.

Doctoral Degrees

A doctorate is the highest level of academic degree. Doctoral programs provide advanced knowledge and research opportunities in a highly specialized area of study. Program length and degree requirements significantly vary between programs, though most Ph.D. programs require a dissertation and take 5-6 years to complete. Some doctoral programs, however, can take up to eight years to finish and may require an additional capstone experience.

Given their significant time investment and high degree of difficulty, a doctoral education is not for everyone. Since most careers in the humanities and social sciences can be obtained with a master's degree, doctorates are typically reserved for careers in academia and research; however, there are some highly specialized occupations, such as biophysicists and lawyers, that require this level of education. No matter their career path, individuals who earn a doctorate are recognized as leading experts in their respective fields.