Read on to learn what humanities majors consist of and what kind of future you can have with a bachelor's degree in this field. See sample courses and how you can learn online.
What Is a Bachelor's Degree in Humanities?
A bachelor's degree program in the humanities focuses on the study of civilization's collective accomplishments in music, literature, philosophy, art and other areas. Often interdisciplinary in nature, a humanities major exposes you to a wide range of topics that can prepare you for many career options or advanced study. Most schools offer you extensive flexibility in developing your program to include courses that can apply to your interests or chosen profession. In this respect, you can focus your studies in a particular area, such as classical literature, film studies, world cultures or art topics.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Program Focus Areas</b></td><td> Film studies, art, classical literature, world cultures</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td>Foreign language, critical thinking, world cultures, philosophy, research and writing</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online Options</b></td><td>Available at many schools; allows for flexibility and peer collaboration</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Career Opportunities</b></td><td>Journalism, social work, counseling, education</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$51,760 <i>(Social Workers)</i></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td>13% growth <i>(Social Workers)</i></td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatClassesCanITake">What Classes Can I Take?</h3><p>Because of the variation within a humanities major, the courses that you take will depend on your preferences. However, like most bachelor's degree programs, you will need to take some general education classes. Some common areas of emphasis in a humanities program include philosophy, literature, cultural studies and foreign language. Some schools require you to take a few core courses, leaving the remaining as electives for you to choose. Examples of common core courses include:
</p><ul><li>Critical thinking
</li><li>World cultures
</li><li>Research and writing
</li></ul><h3 id="section---CanIEarnMyDegreeOnline">Can I Earn My Degree Online?</h3><p>Although humanities programs are traditionally taught on-campus, you can earn your degree completely online. Online programs are similar to their on-campus counterparts in that you'll need to choose an area of emphasis, complete coursework and take tests. The program might be more flexible in terms scheduling your course and study times, however.
</p><p>Another benefit to online programs is that you usually have opportunities to share your thoughts with other students in an online forum, possibly leading to more interaction with fellow classmates than a traditional on-campus lecture course may offer. You should be aware that you could have to meet certain technical and software standards before you can enroll in an online program, and you should check with your school before applying.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCanIDoWithMyDegree">What Can I Do With My Degree?</h3><p>Because humanities majors are interdisciplinary, there are many different avenues you can take to prepare for a multitude of careers. Some options you might consider include education, journalism, social work or counseling. Alternatively, you could also continue your education into graduate studies. In addition to humanities master's and doctoral programs, many professional schools, such as medical and law school, recommend the diversity of a humanities major.</p>
