Degrees for Military and Veterans: Humanities Degrees

According to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a degree in Humanities represents approximately 5 percent of all degrees awarded in the United States. Humanities is, according to the course catalog at Northwestern University, "...interdisciplinary study of the circumstances and lives of humans in the past, of literature, the English language and the arts, and of ethical problems and systems of thought in order to understand and interpret the world today."

Humanities graduates can expect to use the skills they learn in their degree programs to interpret political, economic, social, and cultural events and how they shape our experiences. They are also trained to analyze the literary, historical and artistic implications of these events. While students find themselves taking a wide variety of courses in a humanities program the major disciplines covered include:

English
History
Art
Literature
Philosophy
Religion

What can you do with a Humanities Degree?

A Degree in Humanities can lead to employment in a variety of different occupations including:

Arbitrator
Education Administrator
Human Resources
Lawyer
Politician
News reporter
Journalist
Postsecondary teacher
Writer

Is a Humanities Degree hard?

A humanities Degree is expected to engage students in analyzing and interpreting the past and cultivating new ideas about the future. Comprehensive programs will help sharpen students’ ability to think clearly, creatively, and analytically. In addition, students are educated to become effective communicators, including in speech and writing.

Getting a Degree in Humanities

Here are the different types of Humanities degrees that you can pursue.

Associate Degree in Humanities

With an Associate Degree in Humanities, a student can prepare for a great entry-level job, or it can be used as a stepping stone for further education. A great associate degree program will have opportunities to explore various disciplines and related jobs. Internships are a great opportunity to help students choose and prepare for a successful career.

An Associate Degree in Humanities can be found as a campus-based program, a hybrid program, or fully online. A student’s GI Bill can be applied to any type of program (campus, hybrid, online) at an approved institution.

Don’t forget about the MyCAA Program for military spouses! This will provide eligible spouses the opportunity to earn an Associate Degree or Certification for a portable career across the country!

Jobs with Associate Degree in Humanities

Library Technician – Help librarians with all aspects of running a library. Library technicians work in local public libraries, corporate and special libraries, and school and university libraries. Median annual salary: $34,000.
Announcer – Present music, news, and sports and may provide commentary or interview guests. Median annual salary: $40,000.

Bachelor’s in Humanities

A Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities will take about four years although some schools offer accelerated programs to be completed in 3 years or less. Schools may also offer a dual degree program that facilitates a student earning an undergraduate and graduate degree in an abbreviated amount of time. Program concentrations and minors span a wide variety of interests including:

Anthropology
Political Science
Religion
Literature
Digital Humanities
Public Service

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities, a student can advance their career with greater earning power. It can also be a step toward a master’s degree or even a doctorate!

Jobs With Bachelor’s in Humanities

Reporter – Investigate and inform the public about news and events. Median annual salary: $46,000.
Public Relations Specialist– Develop and maintain a favorable public image for the organization they represent. Median annual salary: $61,000.
Technical Writer – Prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, etc. to communicate complex and technical information more easily. Median annual salary: $73,000

Master’s Degree in Humanities

With a Master’s Degree in Humanities, a student is well on their way to becoming an expert in their field. Master’s degrees earn a significant pay bump from a bachelor’s degree and open up opportunities for leadership and supervisory positions.

Jobs With Master’s in Humanities

Museum Curator – Oversee institutions’ collections such as historical items or of artwork. Median annual salary: $50,000.
Legislator – Develop, introduce, or enact laws and statutes at the local, tribal, state, or federal level. Median annual salary: $57,000.
Historian – Research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past by studying historical documents and other sources. Median annual salary: $64,000.

Doctorate in Humanities

Excel in your education with a doctorate degree! Become the preeminent expert in your field. This is a popular degree for those seeking a career in academia, post-secondary education, research, and publication.

Author – Develop written content for various types of media. Median annual salary: $70,000.
Public Relations Manager – Direct the creation of materials that will enhance the public image of their employer or client. Median annual salary: $120,000.

Is a Humanities Degree worth it?

Yes, a Degree in Humanities is worth it! The knowledge and skills acquired in a Humanities Degree cast a wide net and are desirable across all career fields, especially in the Arts and Social Sciences. Successful education in the Humanities will instill students with the ability to navigate a variety of personal, social, professional, and public situations successfully.

GI Bill-Approved Schools Offering a Humanities Degree

Ready to earn your Degree in Humanities? Check out these great programs available at our partner schools:

College of the Siskiyous – Offers an Associate of Arts in Humanities.
Pasadena City College – Offers an Associate in Arts in Humanities.
Saint Peter’s University – Offers an Associate of Arts Degree in Humanities. St. Peter’s is a Yellow Ribbon school.
Evangel University – Offers a Minor in Humanities for its undergraduate degrees. Evangel participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
University of Colorado Boulder – Offers a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. University of Colorado Boulder University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Virginia Tech – Offers Humanities for Public Service as a major for its undergraduate degrees. Virginia Tech is a Yellow Ribbon school.

Fully Online Humanities Degrees at GI Bill-Approved Schools

University of Southern Maine – Offers a fully online Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies-Humanities Concentration. This degree is also offered as a campus-based program. The University of Southern Maine participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Concordia University Wisconsin – Offers a fully online MA in Digital Humanities. Digital Humanities is an amalgam of traditional Humanities studies with the development of 21st-century technological skills required for the global job market. Concordia University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Concordia University Ann Arbor – Offers a fully online MA in Digital Humanities. Digital Humanities is an amalgam of traditional Humanities studies with the development of 21st-century technological skills required for the global job market. Concordia University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

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