Online humanities programs teach students about the arts, including philosophy, literature, language, religion, communications, and anthropology. Those who benefit from these types of programs should be analytical, critical thinkers, and possess strong writing and investigative skills. Humanities degree programs are available online at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels, while select schools may offer a career diploma or graduate certificate option.

Graduates of online humanities degree or certificate programs may seek employment in a variety of settings, including law firms, park offices, governmental agencies, businesses, social service organizations, or in academia. Graduates may have the skills and training to land a job as a court reporter, guidance counselor, archaeologist, anthropologist, or technical writer.

Available Degree Levels

• Career Diploma: Varies
• Certificate: One to two years to complete
• Associate Degree: Two years to complete
• Bachelor’s Degree: Four years to complete
• Master’s Degree: One to two years to complete
• Doctoral Degree: Three to five years to complete

Online humanities diploma programs are geared towards individuals who would like an introduction to the field, providing them with the background to pursue an advanced degree. These programs are typically interdisciplinary, allowing students to gain a basic understanding of literature, language, philosophy, history, and classical traditions. Humanities diploma programs may arm students with the skills to formulate and develop their own ideas as they apply to
historical and cultural contexts.

Online graduate certificate programs in humanities often feature a specific area of concentration, such as women’s studies, digital humanities, or linguistics. As these programs are designed to either supplement a general humanities degree or equip students with in-depth knowledge in a particular focus area, coursework is typically catered to the designated field of study.

Online associate degree programs in humanities often integrate general education coursework with core classes within the humanities field, including introduction to philosophy, literature, academic writing, and English composition. Students enrolled in these programs may further individualize their experience by taking electives specific to an area of interest, such as history, philosophy, theology, or art. Graduates may pursue entry-level employment or transfer their credits into a bachelor’s program.

Online baccalaureate programs in humanities may provide students the opportunity to take courses from a diverse range of disciplines. Students may gain skills and training in communications, problem-solving, critical thinking, and writing. Certain programs may offer an area of concentration, including fine arts, literature, cultural studies, and linguistics. Graduates of these programs may seek entry-level employment or further their education by enrolling in a graduate-level program.

Students interested in online master’s degree programs in humanities may be curious about human conditions. These programs may deal with philosophical questions, such as why do people exist, is there one truth, or what is art. Courses may cover philosophy, history, literature, music, and the living theater. Some programs may include a final thesis or project requirement, in which students study a significant problem in the area of humanities and prepare a well-researched and original paper or project on how to fix the problem.

Individuals enrolled in doctoral-level programs in humanities may gain the skills needed to teach at the college level. These programs are customarily research-heavy and may focus on a specific area of study, including aesthetic studies, literature, or history. Students may need to complete a dissertation prior to graduation.

Career Options

Online humanities programs are typically interdisciplinary, allowing students to become knowledgeable about numerous fields of study. These programs often produce well-rounded individuals through training in general humanities and more specific areas of interest, such as philosophy and linguistics. Employment opportunities may be available in academia, journalism, public administration, social services, and advertising. Individuals who have earned a humanities degree may have the skills and training to analyze specific aspects of human behavior, mainly through the study of a variety of subjects.

Possible career fields include:

• Anthropologist
• Archeologist
• Technical Writer
• Court Reporter
• Guidance Counselor