A Humanities Degree takes a multi-faceted approach to education. It brings together various subjects and lays bare the unique connections between them. Courses in a typical humanities program usually involve lots of reading, discussion, and writing.
Getting a humanities degree can help you secure employment in a variety of areas. In particular, the job outlook is quite positive for Public Relations and Fundraising Managers. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected an 8% job growth for this particular occupation between 2018 and 2028. This is faster than the average for other professions and will add around 81,000 new jobs in the field.
If you believe that a career in the world of humanities is for you, then getting a degree in this field will be a good start. Read on to understand everything about pursuing a Humanities Degree, including admission criteria, coursework, and employment prospects.
What Is Humanities?
Simply put, Humanities is the study of the human condition and its dynamic nature. It examines the countless ways in which individuals understand and record human experience. From the very beginning, people have indulged in literature, music, philosophy, history, art, and language to document the world. All these exciting modes of expression have traditionally been categorized under the label of “Humanities.”
What Can You Do with a Humanities Degree?
A Humanities degree can open up a world of possibilities for you. Versatility is one of the biggest qualities of humanities graduates. It enables them to pursue many different professions like Public Relations and Fundraising Manager, Teacher, Journalist and News Reporter, Technical Writer, Lawyer, Travel Agent, Event Planner, and Human Resources Specialist among others.
Following are compensation details for some popular careers that humanities majors can opt for. The data has been reproduced here courtesy of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
The role of a Public Relations Manager involves planning activities and creating content designed to improve an employer’s or a client’s public image. On the other hand, Fundraising Managers organize campaigns to bring in donations from an organization’s patrons and well-wishers.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $116,180 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 8% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $132,630 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 9,210 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | District of Columbia | $191,960 |
Post-Secondary Teachers
Post-Secondary Teachers impart knowledge and technical skills in different subjects to students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Many of them also carry out research and publish their findings in books and scholarly journals, etc.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $79,540 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 11% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $80,720 (Postsecondary Teachers, All Other) | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 68,650 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | New York | $119,890 |
Post-Secondary Teachers
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists keep people well-informed about things happening locally, nationally, and internationally. They report news for television channels, newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and various online platforms.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $46,270 (News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists) | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | -10% (Reporters, Correspondents and Broadcast News Analysts) | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $62,400 (News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists) | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | New York | 6,020 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | District of Columbia | $103,320 |
What to Expect from a Humanities Degree Program?
Over the course of your Humanities Degree program, you will learn about Arts and Literature, Communication, History, Philosophy, Comparative Language Analysis, Society and Culture, Comparative Religion, Music, Writing, Theater, Film, Psychology, Law, Critical Thinking, and Developmental Studies, etc.
How to Choose a Humanities Degree Program?
When picking a Humanities Degree program to enroll in, there are a few factors that you need to consider before making a decision. These include accreditation status, course contents, fee structure, research and specialization options, and location of the campus, etc. About the accreditation, one of the relevant bodies is the American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE).
Humanities Degree Admission Requirements
Entrance requirements may vary from one school to another. They will also differ with regard to degree level. For instance, an undergraduate humanities degree program will require candidates having a High School Diploma or GED (General Educational Development) Certificate. A good SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) score may also be needed.
On the other hand, a graduate program in humanities is likely to have a minimum undergrad CGPA requirement. Candidates may also need to take the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) or GRE (Graduate Record Examination).