Do you have a bachelor’s degree in a humanities subject, such as history, art, or English, but don’t know what to do with this knowledge? Perhaps it’s time to share your passion and knowledge with the next generation by enrolling in one of the cheapest master’s in humanities online focused on helping you get your teaching license.
These education programs allow you to transition into a teaching career while still leveraging your previous bachelor’s degree. For example, if you have a bachelor’s degree in Spanish, but have not found a fulfilling career with this degree, you can add a master’s degree in teaching foreign languages and become a Spanish teacher. Likewise, if you have a bachelor’s in political science, you could complete a master’s in teaching social studies and become a social studies or government teacher.
These programs lead to a variety of careers in teaching. Depending on the program, graduates can become teachers at middle schools, high schools, and even community colleges.
There are 75 programs from over 50 schools in this database, so you will likely find something that fits your specific needs.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$18,200
Least Expensive In-state: North Carolina A&T State University ~$6,990
Least Expensive Out-of-state: Southeastern Oklahoma State University ~$8,160
Most Expensive: University of Southern California ~$59,971
We have created the most reliable list of affordable master’s in humanities online programs. By focusing on the total costs, without using complex formulas, we have built a database of programs that you can turn to for reliable information. Everything above the gray line costs less than the national average and has been deemed a “Best Buy.” If you’re searching for the cheapest master’s in humanities online, start with these programs.
The Cheapest Master’s in Humanities Online Programs
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | North Carolina A & T State University | (NC) | $6,990.00 $25,800.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | (OK) | $8,160.00 | All Students |
3 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke | (NC) | $8,539.00 $30,304.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
4 | University of North Carolina-Wilmington | (NC) | $8,859.00 $32,834.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 |  Campbellsville University | (KY) | $9,750.00 | All Students |
6 | Valdosta State University | (GA) | $10,808.00 | All Students |
7 | Indiana University Online | (IN) | $11,700.00 $15,600.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
8 | Northwestern College Iowa | (IA) | $11,820.00 | All Students |
9 | University of Central Florida | (FL) | $12,111.00 $42,614.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
10 | University of North Georgia | (GA) | $12,117.00 | All Students |
11 | Eastern Illinois University | (IL) | $12,290.00 | All Students |
12 | Western New England University | (MA) | $12,750.00 | All Students |
13 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | (NE) | $13,237.00 $17,881.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
14 | Florida State University | (FL) | $13,328.00 $32,270.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
15 | Minot State University | (ND) | $13,365.00 | All Students |
16 | Eastern Illinois University | (IL) | $13,518.00 | All Students |
17 | Chadron State College | (NE) | $13,680.00 | All Students |
18 | Maranatha Baptist University | (WI) | $13,735.00 | All Students |
19 |  William Carey University | (MS) | $14,850.00 | All Students |
20 | Northern Illinois University | (IL) | $15,150.00 | All Students |
21 | University of Missouri-Columbia | (MO) | $15,315.00 $14,009.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
22 | Converse College | (SC) | $15,770.00 | All Students |
23 | Delta State University Master of Education in Secondary Education / English CAEP,14 | (MS) | $15,789.00 | All Students |
24 | Kansas State University | (KS) | $15,829.00 | All Students |
25 | Indiana Wesleyan University | (IN) | $15,840.00 | All Students |
26 | Valley City State University | (ND) | $15,968.00 | All Students |
27 |  Liberty University | (VA) | $16,036.00 $10,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
28 |  Western Governors University | (UT) | $16,360.00 | All Students |
29 | University of Northern Iowa | (IA) | $16,670.00 | All Students |
30 | SUNY Cortland | (NY) | $17,051.00 $19,965.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
31 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | (LA) | $17,100.00 | All Students |
32 | William Paterson University of New Jersey | (NJ) | $17,160.00 | All Students |
33 | University of Northern Colorado | (CO) | $17,490.00 | All Students |
34 | University of Southern Mississippi | (MS) | $17,791.00 | All Students |
35 | Asbury University | (KY) | $18,050.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University at Buffalo | (NY) | $18,254.00 $21,356.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | (PA) | $18,692.00 $19,397.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Southwest Minnesota State University | (MN) | $18,731.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania Western University | (PA) | $18,768.00 $21,573.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Northern Colorado | (CO) | $19,239.00 | All Students | |
Azusa Pacific University | (CA) | $20,620.00 | All Students | |
Michigan State University | (MI) | $21,000.00 | All Students | |
Wayland Baptist University | (TX) | $21,988.00 | All Students | |
Carlow University | (PA) | $22,248.00 | All Students | |
University of Florida | (FL) | $22,887.00 | All Students | |
Franklin Pierce University | (NH) | $23,940.00 | All Students | |
Saint Joseph's University | (PA) | $25,240.00 | All Students | |
Adelphi University | (NY) | $29,545.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $30,210.00 | All Students | |
Boston University | (MA) | $32,080.00 | All Students | |
Johns Hopkins University | (MD) | $33,256.00 | All Students | |
Nova Southeastern University | (FL) | $40,680.00 | All Students | |
University of Southern California | (CA) | $59,971.00 | All Students |
Program Note: To qualify for a ranking, the master’s in humanities online must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table. Degrees labeled with superscript 14 indicate that options for this program have changed since publication.
CAEP Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
AAQEP Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation
NASAD National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation
Rankings Note: These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter/Spring 2023 review of regionally accredited online master’s in humanities programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the master’s in humanities online programs in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules. The published cost is the estimated sticker price for the online master’s degree in humanities, including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note: Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers an online master’s degree in humanities that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest master’s in humanities online programs may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the cheapest master’s in humanities online programs for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Why Should I Get One of the Cheapest Master’s in Humanities Online?
Why should you complete a master’s in humanities online teaching program? There are numerous reasons, including:
- The chance to share your passion: Do you have a love for history, art, literature, or social studies? Why not share that passion by completing one of these teaching degrees?
- Work in a stable career field: Teaching will not see massive job growth, but it’s one of the most steady and widespread careers. All areas of the country need teachers, so whether you prefer a large city or a small town, there is a job waiting for you.
- Leverage your bachelor’s degree: Perhaps you completed a degree in art, but haven’t found a job that lets you use this knowledge. With these degrees, you can turn your past education into a useful, rewarding career.
How Much Does It Cost to Complete One of the Cheapest Master’s in Humanities Online?
Regardless of your budget, you need to be aware of the total cost for these programs. Ranging from less than $7,000 to over $59,000, these programs vary widely. You should do research, understand the costs, and find the most affordable online master’s in humanities for your needs.
The average cost of these programs is right around $18,200. Assuming students take two years and four semesters to complete a degree, the average annual cost is about $9,100, while the per-semester cost is roughly $4,550. The average provides a good idea of how much you can expect to pay, but, as we’ve noted, the programs vary.
The most expensive online master’s degree in humanities comes from the University of Southern California, which charges nearly $60,000 for the Master of Arts in Teaching.
Whether you have unlimited financial resources or a tight budget, make sure you research the cost and find the most affordable option that fits your needs and goals. Read on to learn more about the three cheapest master’s in humanities online:
#1. North Carolina A & T State University – Master of Arts in Teaching / English Education and Master of Arts in Teaching / History Education
North Carolina residents can complete CAEP-accredited teaching degrees in English and History for just under $7,000. The MAT programs from North Carolina A & T State University cost $6,990 for in-state students, making these the cheapest master’s in humanities online. The university, however, charges significantly more to out-of-state students, making the same programs $25,800 for online students living in other areas.
In the English Education MAT, students will learn skills specifically for teaching English to high schoolers. With the MAT concentration in History Education, the focus is on preparing future high school history teachers. The programs are designed for those who have an undergrad degree related to the subject they plan to teach. Courses prepare students with the necessary skills and knowledge to become effective secondary-level teachers. Students will complete two semesters of clinical practice at a school in their local area to gain practical experience.
#2. Southeastern Oklahoma State University – Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction / English
The online M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction / English offered by Southeastern Oklahoma State University provides an affordable and accessible opportunity for educators to enhance their expertise in English instruction. With a total cost of $8,160 for all online students, regardless of state residency, this program stands out as the least expensive online master’s in humanities for out-of-state students and the second most affordable for in-state students. The program, with accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), ensures a high standard of quality in teacher education.
The 30-credit-hour program can be completed in as few as 12 months. Throughout the curriculum, emphasis is placed on advancing skills in language and literacy, enhancing impact in the classroom through instructional practices, and curriculum development. Participants delve into specialized topics in written English and world literature. Graduates of this program emerge prepared for leadership roles such as English teacher, curriculum development specialist, instructional coordinator, program administrator, or librarian.
#3. University of North Carolina at Pembroke – Master of Arts in Teaching / Art
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke offers an affordable program for aspiring art educators through its online MAT in Art. Priced at $8,539 for in-state students, this program is the third cheapest master’s in humanities online on our list. Out-of-state tuition is higher at $30,304. The program is designed to provide teachers with the skills and understanding needed to teach art in K-12 settings.
Coursework encourages educators to nurture the art-making abilities of their students while furthering their own artistic talents. The curriculum emphasizes current educational theories, practice, research, and hands-on teaching experiences. The program aligns with DPI and National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) competencies required for K-12 licensure, and North Carolina’s reciprocity agreements with 45 other states allow for easy transfer of teaching licenses.
What to Expect from the Cheapest Master’s in Humanities Online Programs
These online master’s in humanities programs are all about teaching. They allow you to use your current bachelor’s degree and transition into a teaching position. Whether you have a degree in art, history, English, literature, political science, or any liberal arts subject, these programs give you the education skills to become a high-quality teacher at a variety of levels.
A master’s degree usually requires two years of study. They will encompass at least 30 credit hours of classwork, although some will require as much as 36 credit hours.
All of these programs educate future teachers, but they have a variety of different focuses and concentrations, building different types of teachers. If you want to become a history teacher, the Master of Arts in History for Educators from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington or the Master of Arts in Teaching in History from Indiana University are good options. If you have an art degree and want to be an art teacher, potential options include the Master of Science in Art & Design Education from Northern Illinois University and the Master of Arts in Art Education from the University of Northern Iowa.
You will see that there are masters of arts, science, and education degrees. The differences are often minor, and they all deliver the skills needed to become a teacher. Generally speaking, a master of arts focuses on theory and philosophy, while a master of science focuses on provable data, technical skills, and scientific principles. A master of education is slightly different; this type focuses on the details of the educational system. Many principals and school administrators have a master’s of education.
Courses in an Online Humanities Teaching Program
Campbellsville University – Master of Arts in Teaching Middle Grades (5-9) / Social Studies
This program allows you to transition into middle school teaching, which covers fifth through ninth grades. It includes 30 hours of core courses, as well as three to six hours of concentration classes. There are four concentration options: English, mathematics, science, and social studies.
The core courses are all about teaching. There are ten classes (3 credit hours each) that include “Introduction to Teaching,” “Effective Management Skills for Today’s Educators,” and “Educational Technology.” The concentration classes are different depending on your chosen specialty. For example, students who select the English track will complete “Teaching English in the Middle and High Schools.”
Nova Southeastern University – Master of Science in Education / Spanish Language Education
This program is available to current Spanish teachers who want to expand their expertise or to anyone with a bachelor’s degree and knowledge of the Spanish language.
With 36 credit hours over 12 classes, the courses in this program include “Advanced Spanish Grammar,” “Teaching Spanish to Heritage Speakers,” and “Foreign Language Methods.” It focuses less on the details of the Spanish language, and instead focuses on the skills needed to teach Spanish.
Indiana University – Master of Arts in Teaching in History
If you have a bachelor’s degree in history and wish to become a history teacher, but do not have the appropriate training, this degree is a good option. You’ll learn teaching methods as they relate to history, while also focusing on a specific area of history, which may include early America, the 19th century, or comparative history.
Courses in this program include “Social Issues in Education,” “Teaching College History,” and “Historical Methodology.” With these courses, you can turn your knowledge of history into a rewarding career as a history teacher, either at a local high school or a community college.
Accreditation for Teaching Programs
When considering affordable online master’s in humanities programs, it’s important to research a school’s accreditation. You must learn whether a program has institutional and programmatic accreditation to ensure it meets a high level of academic quality.
In the U.S., accreditation is not completed by the government. Instead, independent groups complete this task with the approval of the U.S. Department of Education. The Department of Education recognizes numerous independent agencies that take on the authority of accrediting schools and programs.
From the student’s perspective, accreditation is important because it impacts financial aid, credit transfers, and post-graduation licensing. For instance, you must have a degree from an accredited institution to secure a teacher’s license.
There are two important types of accreditation: programmatic and institutional. Institutional accreditation is completed by regional groups like the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This type covers the entire school.
Then there is programmatic which, as the name suggests, covers only a specific program. This type is completed by subject-specific groups. For example, nursing degrees may have programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
For these teaching degrees, the most important programmatic accrediting body is the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This group accredits bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs in education. With members that include teachers, policymakers, school board members, and parents, this group ensures that education degrees meet a high standard for academic quality.
Numerous programs in this database have accreditation from the CAEP. However, if a program does not have programmatic approval, that’s okay. As long as the school has institutional accreditation, it will deliver a high-quality education.
Typical Admission Requirements for a Master’s in Teaching Humanities Online
A master’s degree is one of the highest levels of academic achievement. They are challenging and require a large commitment of both time and energy. To make sure incoming students are prepared to earn a master’s degree, schools have high requirements for enrollment.
The most basic requirement is a bachelor’s degree. For these affordable master’s in humanities online programs, incoming students can have a variety of bachelor’s degrees, but they must align with the student’s chosen program. For example, to enroll in a history teaching program, you must have a bachelor’s in history; a master’s for aspiring art teachers requires a bachelor’s in art.
North Carolina A&T State University provides a good example. It offers a Master of Arts in Teaching with an English or history concentration. For the English concentration, you must have a bachelor’s degree in English or 24 credits in English. For the history concentration, you need a bachelor’s in a history discipline or at least 24 credits of history coursework.Many schools have a minimum GPA requirement for incoming master’s students. Usually this is somewhere between 2.5 and 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
To enroll in a master’s degree, you’ll need to provide a variety of documents that show your skills and dedication to teaching. This will likely include multiple letters of recommendation, official transcripts from all previous colleges, and a statement of purpose.
The admission requirements for even the cheapest online master’s in humanities can seem intimidating. But if you have a strong academic background, you should meet the requirements for many of these programs.
Licensing and Certification for Humanities Teachers
After graduating from these programs, you’ll have the skills needed to be a teacher at the middle school or high school levels. It’s also possible to become an educator at community colleges.
To work as a public school teacher, you need a license. All states require teachers at public schools to have a license, often called a certificate. Each state is different, but the general requirements are usually consistent. After completing the necessary education, you will need to pass any tests that the state requires. These will include a basic skills test, as well as a test in your specific area of expertise. For example, English teachers will need to complete an English-specific portion to become certified.
Once that step is complete, you can apply for your teaching certificate and work as a public school teacher.
After an Online Master’s in Teaching Humanities: Salary and Career Outlook
Graduates of these programs can go into a variety of teaching fields, so it’s hard to say exactly how much you will earn. However, teachers and educators, in general, work in a stable, steady industry that brings high-quality salaries.
Many graduates will become high school teachers, using their knowledge of history, English, or art. The median annual income (May 2021) is $61,820, roughly $16,000 more than the median for all occupations. The top 10% in this career earn over $100,000 annually. Middle school teachers have similar incomes. The median for this career is $61,320, while the top 10% earn over $99,000 a year.
Post-secondary teachers have even higher earnings, although the data is skewed by high-paid doctorate-level professors at major institutions. The median annual income for this profession is $79,640, while the top 10% earn over $172,000 a year. Post-secondary history teachers have a median income of $78,130, while English teachers have a median income of $75,930.
Graduates can expect a rewarding career in a stable industry. The expected growth for high school teachers (2021-2031) is 5%, the same as the expected growth rate for all occupations. Middle school teachers are expected to grow by 4%.
Post-secondary teachers, however, are expected to rise by 12%. Many factors contribute to this boost, including more older adults attending college, which will create a need for more educators.
The Next Step in Your Education: Continuing Education and Doctorates
While a master’s is one of the highest levels of education, there is still one more level available: a doctorate. To be fair, most people will not need a doctorate. However, if you want to become a college professor at an elite institution, or if you want to perform education-based research, such as finding ways to improve classroom learning, then a doctorate may be a good option.
As we’ve noted, to become a public school teacher you need a certificate or license. To maintain this certificate, you will need to complete continuing education requirements. Almost all states require teachers to complete continuing education credits to keep their licenses.
The specific requirements vary, focus on the state where you will work. For example, in Arizona you need 15 hours of professional development activities for each year of the certificate. A certificate for six years requires 90 professional development hours.
Some states allow school districts to set the requirements. In New Jersey and California, as examples, school districts have a lot of say in the licensing requirements.
Share Your Knowledge with the Next Generation!
The next generation of learners needs you! With a master’s degree focused on teaching the humanities, you can share your knowledge and passion with young learners. Use the resources on GetEducated.com today to learn more about top-quality master’s degrees in teaching.