Humanities Majors Guide

What Does it Mean to Study Humanities?

The humanities — also referred to as social sciences — are part of the liberal arts. They are defined by Merriam-Webster.com as “the branches of learning (such as philosophy, arts, or languages) that investigate human constructs… and concerns as opposed to natural processes (as in physics or chemistry) and social relations (as in anthropology or economics).” Their emphasis can be on any combination of languages, literature, art, music, philosophy and religion.

As a humanities major, all aspects of society — from past events and achievements to human behavior and relationships among groups — can become part of your education. The objective is to learn how to learn, developing your skills in researching, reading, writing and thinking your way through abstract problems.

Your humanities degree should match your own range of personal characteristics and interests. Open-mindedness and adaptability are important in all kinds of humanities disciplines, where the central tenet of study is that humans are incapable of ever being objective, and that all research must reflect that. If you’re curious about this topic of study, keep reading to learn more about degree types available, potential careers and more.

Types of Humanities Degrees

Like a general studies degree or a liberal arts degree, a humanities degree covers such a broad base of disciplines and educational opportunities that it can be rewarding when earned at any degree level. Furthermore, the curricula for these programs tend to be among the most flexible available, offering a convenient method of obtaining relevant skills for a wide variety of careers or other degree programs.

Let’s look at the varying levels of this field in more depth.

What Can you Do With a College Degree in Humanities?

With the diversity of humanities disciplines, pinpointing a specific job path for a humanities graduate can be wildly different from person to person. Many jobs in policy, research or marketing are good choices for a well-rounded humanities grad. The degree program is meant to help you learn how to communicate clearly, think critically and make reasoned choices — skills that can be beneficial for just about any career. Here are a few of the possible job choices for humanities majors:

Advertising Sales Agents

These professionals sell advertising space to individuals and businesses, a task that can be made easier by a broad understanding of people and the way they think. Studying human culture and society can prove useful for understanding or predicting how people might react to a certain kind of ad — and your specific focus as a humanities major, be it music, philosophy or writing, might spark highly creative angles for your advertisements.

• Although a high school diploma can help you get started in some entry-level positions, many employers prefer a bachelor’s degree.
• Certification is not required for this career.

Social and Community Service Managers

Social and community service managers supervise and coordinate social service programs offered in their cities or communities. These workers brainstorm ways to meet the needs of people in their area, conceptualize new programs that can provide useful services or assistance to their constituents, and oversee programs from start to finish. They must also work within budgets to ensure they are meeting the financial goals of their organization, and they may look for additional funding so they can better meet specific community needs.

• While some social and community service managers have a bachelor’s degree, certain employers may prefer a master’s degree.
• Certification is not offered in this career field.

Community Health Workers

Community health workers discuss local health issues with community members, educate people about the resources offered in their area, and supervise outreach programs with the goal of improving local health. They conduct studies to ascertain community needs, then report their findings to health educators and other professionals. As public servants, however, the main responsibility of these workers is to advocate for the special needs of community members whose voices might not otherwise be heard.

• Health educators must earn at least a bachelor’s degree for entry-level employment.
• While not always required, some employers require the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential.

Social and Human Service Assistants

Social and human service assistants are responsible for a wide range of client services aimed at supporting families they work with in a variety of fields. They often work in psychology, rehabilitation or social work, with the main goal of assisting individuals, families and social workers to improve their lives. They might work to connect clients with benefits and community services that could be of use to them, or they might offer counseling and advice on how clients could create a healthier future for themselves and/or their families.

• A high school diploma is required for entry level work, although on-the-job training is common as well.
• These workers do not need to be certified to perform their job duties.

Craft and Fine Artists

Craft and fine artists use their creativity and artistic skill to create fine art products for consumption. They create handmade objects — such as jewelry, pottery, textiles or glassware — then sell their products to wholesale distributors or individual buyers. Some artists may go on to work in museums or galleries, where they can use their knowledge of art and art history to educate others on the importance of their craft. Others may become entrepreneurs, extending their artistic vision into the vision for an entire company. Conventions and local fairs, as well as online services such as Etsy and Patreon, can also make a small home-run business a very real possibility for these creators!

• Craft and fine artists often pursue bachelor’s degrees, although master’s degrees are also common.
• Artists do not need to become certified to work in their field.

Humanities Salaries and Career Outlook

Humanities Associations and Organizations

If your goal is taking your humanities career to the next level, it helps to follow associations and organizations that offer resources and expertise in this important field. Organizations you should follow and be aware of include:

• National Endowment for the Humanities — This federal agency aims to increase and improve humanities education in colleges and schools. They also facilitate research opportunities and maintain cultural and educational resources.
• Humanities Education and Research Association — HERA is a professional organization for humanities teachers, scholars and museum directors. Here you can find important information on conferences and networking opportunities in the humanities space.
• The Association for Computers and the Humanities — This organization focuses on the future of humanities in the digital era. Sign up to receive messages about innovations in humanities and technology, networking opportunities, conferences and more.
• National Humanities Alliance — The National Humanities Alliance is a coalition of organizations that share the joint goal of advancing humanities education, research, preservation and public programs. Follow their website for updates about initiatives aiming to boost the humanities and related fields.