Most Popular Online Humanities Degree Programs

When it comes to popular online majors, the humanities have an advantage. As one of the oldest academic disciplines, the humanities explore what it means to be human. From literature to philosophy and art, the humanities ask big questions. And humanities majors gain in-demand skills like communication, critical thinking, and analytical reasoning.

With a humanities degree, graduates work in business, education, the public sector, and the nonprofit sector. Humanities majors become instructional designers, writers, public relations specialists, and teachers. Many graduates also pursue further education.

Many of the top online colleges offer humanities degrees. Our guide introduces the best online bachelor’s in humanities to help prospective students find the right fit for their interests and professional goals.

A humanities degree explores the human experience. Humanities fields like history and literature help us make meaning of our lived experiences. Studying the humanities can build a strong appreciation for culture and critical analytical skills. Humanities majors also benefit from a course of study that emphasizes research, communication, and writing. These skills help humanities majors pursue careers in many industries.

Most humanities programs offer a bachelor of art (BA) degree. Degree-seekers typically complete a minimum of 120 credits. During a bachelor’s program, learners take general education courses and at least one year of foreign language classes to earn a BA. Students typically complete a humanities degree in four years. Many programs also offer part-time tracks.

Popular humanities concentrations include:

Humanities disciplines require students to be curious. Majors also benefit from strong critical thinking and interpersonal skills. Finally, online programs require self-motivation and organizational skills.

An online bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution can offer the same academic quality as an on-campus program. Learners complete coursework in a flexible, online format. Earning a bachelor’s degree online appeals to students who prefer an accessible, convenient enrollment option.

Prospective students can find it challenging to research popular programs. What distinguishes popular programs? Look for indicators like the number of applicants, graduation rate, and job placements. These qualities also indicate a strong program. Reputable programs provide this information to prospective students.

You can also look for student testimonials to learn more about a program’s popularity and the student experience. Social media can be a useful tool to find unsolicited testimonials. Sites like LinkedIn can also help you learn what graduates do after completing an online bachelor’s in humanities program.

The humanities includes art, literature, religion, and other disciplines that examine the human experience. Learners explore the humanities and their core principles, including tools to critically examine culture.

Philosophy examines key questions about humanity. In this course, students explore writings of moral philosophy that touch on ethical issues. The material addresses current ethical dilemmas using philosophical theories.

Art plays a key role in shaping culture. This course explores the visual arts and their evolution from the classical through modern periods. Students examine historical contexts and art styles to master visual literacy.

Learners examine William Shakespeare’s works and place them in historical context. The course offers an interdisciplinary approach that includes textual criticism, cultural studies, and an examination of dramatic style. Primary sources include plays and sonnets.

Research methods courses emphasize qualitative and quantitative approaches. Learners also cover textual research, interpretive challenges, and the digital humanities. Courses may focus on a particular topic in order to explore humanities research methods.

With a bachelor’s degree in humanities, professionals can work in diverse fields. The degree may lead to opportunities in education, public relations, publishing, or social services. As strong communicators, humanities majors can work as marketing professionals, editors, and technical writers. Their interdisciplinary and interpersonal skills also make humanities majors effective teachers. The degree also leads to opportunities in the nonprofit sector; graduates can work as fundraisers, coordinators, or event planners.

Like other popular college majors, the humanities builds transferable skills that appeal to employers in many industries. The critical thinking and research skills that a humanities degree program helps students build can serve professionals in the business or public sector.

The earning potential with a humanities degree varies widely depending on a person’s job title and industry. Humanities majors can increase their earning potential with a graduate degree or professional certification.

See where a bachelor’s in humanities can take you.

Technical writers communicate complex ideas to people without technical training. They write instruction manuals and how-to guides that teach customers to use products and systems. Technical writers also create technical documentation. The role requires strong research and communication skills, since technical writers must determine user needs and craft material that is instructive and clear.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $78,060

Writers create content for magazines, books, websites, and advertisements. They also work in the entertainment industry writing scripts for movies and television programs. Writers research subjects to craft fictional and nonfictional content. Some specialize in copywriting, blogging, content writing, and biographical writing. Writers work with editors to craft pieces for publication.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $69,510

Editors plan content for publication and work with writers to revise material. They specialize in areas like developmental editing, fact-checking, and executive editing. Editors revise text to improve clarity and follow style guidelines. From the assignment process through final edits, editors play a key role in publishing and content creation.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $63,350

High school teachers educate young learners in diverse subjects like English, world languages, and social studies. They prepare students for college or the workforce. A humanities degree can prepare future high school teachers to educate younger learners in various subjects. High school teachers may also need to complete an educator preparation program to receive a teaching license.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $61,820

Public relations specialists represent individuals and organizations. They manage their clients’ public images by creating media releases, press releases, and speeches. Public relations specialists also increase public awareness of their clients’ goals through media interactions and promotional programs. By crafting a strong public image, they help clients communicate and maintain a public identity.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021): $62,800

A bachelor’s degree program in humanities can help students build strong communication, reasoning, and critical thinking skills. With a humanities degree, many graduates pursue further education. For example, a humanities major may prepare learners for law school or other professional programs. Graduates can also apply to master’s programs in diverse humanities fields, including philosophy, English, and religious studies.

After completing a bachelor’s degree, humanities majors can also consider professional certification in their field. Voluntary certification in technical writing or copy editing can help professionals showcase their skills. Work experience can help humanities majors choose their next educational and career steps.

Rankings compiled by the the BestColleges Ranking Team

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