Are you fascinated by the inner workings of human society and culture? Then look no further than earning a Master’s in Humanities online. This degree will allow you to participate in a wide array of jobs. With this degree, you can work in jobs such as cinematography director, event organizer, or publication assistant. In this article, we’ll be going over 6 of the best Master’s in Humanities online programs you should explore. Choosing the right program for you is an important step toward earning the degree needed to land the job you want.
GetEducated's Picks
- Grand Canyon University Master of Education in Secondary Education / Humanities (Licensure)
- American Public University System Master of Arts in Humanities
- Grand Canyon University Master of Education in Secondary Education / Humanities (Non-Licensure)
Types of Master’s in Humanities Online Degrees
In this section, we’ll look at 3 different types of online degrees in Humanities. We’ll focus on the Master of Arts in Humanities and the Master of Education in Humanities. We’ll also provide some information about the PhD in Humanities, for comparison. However, before choosing one of these degrees to pursue, you should make sure that they’re accredited. Accreditation ensures that the program you’re pursuing meets quality standards. This choice will also impact your career outcomes, since certain employers won’t hire you without an accredited degree.
Master of Arts in Humanities
The Master of Arts in Humanities degree online is a great fit for those who want to teach in a community college, work in marketing, or any other job that requires creative skills. In short, this degree focuses on teaching you subjects like history, philosophy, ethics, law, and religion. It’s aimed at exploring difficult questions about human existence, such as cultural differences and social justice. In addition, if you want to pursue your PhD, this is a required step.
California State University-Northridge’s MA Humanities degree is made up of 33 credits. It would take around 20 months to finish this degree, costing $818 per credit. You can take this program completely online, which means you won’t have to waste your time commuting anywhere. This degree is perfect for those who’ve just earned their Bachelor’s degree. It’s also a perfect match for those who want to become better at solving real-life issues and better at leading others in the workplace.
Master of Education in Humanities
The Master of Education in Humanities degree is intended for aspiring teachers who want a job in teaching middle or high school. They will be teaching a wide variety of subjects, in areas such as English, History, and Social Studies. Grand Canyon University offers the Master of Education in Humanities degree which is made up of 41 credits. It costs $590 per credit and takes around 19 months to complete.
Most of the courses in this program last 6 weeks, with the exception of the Student Teaching course which lasts 15 weeks. This degree is available 100% online, and it’s perfect for those who would want to become licensed teachers for grades 6th to 12th. Grand Canyon University’s Master of Education in Humanities degree is also aimed to help prepare you to obtain your teaching license in Humanities.
Master’s in Humanities vs. Doctorate: Which is Right for You?
In this section, we’ll be going over the differences between master’s and doctorate degrees in humanities. While a master’s in humanities normally takes around 2 years to finish, a doctorate in humanities takes about 4 years to complete. In general, if you have a master’s in humanities, you’ll be able to get a job as a postsecondary teacher, museum curator, or producer. On the other hand, with a doctorate in humanities, you will be able to get a job as a policy analyst, content creator, program manager, project officer, communications officer, or equities researcher. A doctorate in humanities will generally cost more to finish than a master’s in humanities, but you will also get the chance to earn more after graduation.
Both the master’s in humanities and doctorate in humanities can be completed online, with the doctorate in humanities being perfect for those who’ve complete their master’s and are interested in research or teaching at the university level. Similar to the master’s in humanities, the doctorate in humanities also has a focus on subjects such as the world’s history, politics, religion, philosophy, and art, as well as helping students understand how different parts of human life and culture work. This is done through projects and discussions to help the students see the world from multiple points of view. Furthermore, the doctorate in humanities degree has a higher focus on the area of research.
6 Best Online Master’s in Humanities Programs
American Public University System
Accreditation: HLC
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $13,300American Public University System (APU) offers a Master of Arts in Humanities degree. This online humanities degree was inspired by the Great Books tradition, which is based on the ideas, and works of the intellectuals of the past. This program delves into the evolution of humans and the essence of human existence. It covers areas like philosophy, literature, culture, and art, providing insights into humanity’s historical journey and our current state. It emphasizes enhancing your critical thinking, research, and writing skills, especially concerning these subjects. APU offers top-quality teachers who are experts in this field and who are always there to guide you.
In this online humanities degree, you will take courses such as Research Study and Use, The Ancient World, Antiquity and Medieval World, The Renaissance, and Enlightenment in the Modern World. This program is 100% online and takes about 24 months to complete, with each course taking around 8 weeks. Their classes are available every month, so you can start your degree at any time. In total, there are 36 credits to this program, with 21 of the credits being core requirements, 12 credits for major requirements, and finally, 3 credits as the final program requirement. Each credit costs $425, but military-affiliated students can get access to lower prices at $250 per credit. APU also offers a generous credit transfer policy, with up to 15 credits from your previous institution being transferable. Not to mention, the school is currently accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
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Master of Arts in HumanitiesAntioch University Online
Accreditation: HLC
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $24,636Antioch University has been an established university since 1852, and it offers the Master of Arts in Humanities degree. This program is for people who are interested in learning about topics such as history and culture. It has 3 specializations you can choose from: Creative Writing, Intercultural Studies, and Interdisciplinary. You will also have the option to design your own specialization and select your own personal mentor. The program consists of 33 to 39 credits, each priced at $754. This includes 9 credits for the foundation courses and 21 to 24 credits for the specialization courses. Finally, you will be able to choose between completing 3 credits for the capstone or 6 credits for the thesis.
You can complete this online Master’s degree in Humanities program 100% online and be able to start your course anytime in January, March, May, July, August, or October. Each course takes 7 to 15 weeks to complete, so it will take around 2 years to earn this degree. To meet their admission requirements, you must have a bachelor’s degree, submit an online application, provide official transcripts, two professional references, and a 500-word essay. There are no GMAT or GRE requirements, and you can also transfer up to 15 credits. Another unique feature of this program is that the classes are typically on the small side, so you will always be able to receive an adequate amount of attention from your professor. Antioch University’s accrediting body is the Higher Learning Commission.
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Master of Arts in HumanitiesGrand Canyon University
Accreditation: HLC
Total Cost (Military): $24,745Grand Canyon University offers the Master of Education in Secondary Education / Humanities degree. This online master’s degree in secondary education focusing on humanities can lead to licensure in Nevada for teachers seeking the Alternative Route to Licensure (ARL). It specializes in training you to teach middle and high schoolers in subjects such as English, social studies, history, and education psychology. You will take courses such as Foundations in Secondary Education for Graduate Students, U.S. and Arizona Constitutions for Teacher Candidates, Early Adolescent and Adolescent Psychology, Survey of Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities, and Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments.
You can complete this 41-credit program online, in as little as 19 months. There are 12 courses in total, including a 15-week student teaching course for those enrolled in the licensure degree. Each credit hour will cost $590 to complete. This program meets the requirements of both the Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) and the International Society of Technology Educators (ISTE). Additionally, the Higher Learning Commission accredits Grand Canyon University.
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Master of Education in Secondary Education / Humanities (Licensure)Tiffin University
Accreditation: HLC
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $17,300Tiffin University has been around since 1888, and it offers the Master of Humanities / Humanities degree. This program has 4 different concentrations that you can pick from: Art & Visual Media, Creative Writing, Film Studies, and Rhetoric & Composition. The Art & Visual Media concentration is perfect for students who enjoy studying and learning about arts and want to share that love with others. The Creative Writing concentration, on the other hand, is for those who have a passion for writing stories. The Film Studies concentration is for students who want to learn more about how movies are created, and how they impact society. Lastly, the Rhetoric & Composition concentration is for people who enjoy analyzing the English language and want a career in teaching English.
You can complete this program entirely online, with each course spanning about 7 weeks. Altogether, the program consists of 30 credits and typically takes around 18 months to finish. You can start classes in either January, May, or August. At this end of the program, you’ll complete a capstone project on what you’ve learned. This capstone project involves conducting your own research, writing an essay about it, and concluding with a presentation on your topic. Tiffin University boasts accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission.
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Master of Humanities / HumanitiesCalifornia State University-Northridge
Accreditation: WSCUC
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $26,216California State University-Northridge was first founded in 1958, and it offers the Master of Arts in Humanities degree. This program is for those who want to advance their career and is also ideal for those who want to teach at a community college, or those who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in a related area. This program will teach you to think about answering difficult philosophical questions such as “What is a just society?” and “What is fair treatment?”. It includes courses such as Gateway to the Humanities, The Sacred Self – Body and Mind, Family and Life Cycles, and Identity Meaning and Culture.
This online Master’s in Humanities program is available completely online, and it’s great for those who are already working at a job. The Master of Arts in Humanities program has 33 required credits and takes around 20 months to complete. Each credit will cost $818. After signing up for this program you’ll join a small cohort. In other words, a small group of students will be taking and finishing this program with you. The WASC Senior College and University Commission is the accrediting body for CSU-Northridge.
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Master of Arts in HumanitiesThomas Edison State University
Accreditation: MSCHE
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $24,346
Thomas Edison State University offers the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies / Digital Humanities degree. This program is for people who enjoy using digital tools to edit and create amazing new content for new media. You will also learn how to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to future jobs relying on the newest technologies. After completing this program, students will have learned about how networked society was first started, how it currently works, and how it will change in the future.You’ll focus on courses such as Digital Communication, Introduction to Digital Humanities, and Social Media and Social Change. You can complete this program 100% online, and it has a total of 36 credits. In addition, they’ll accept up to 12 transfer credits from your previous school. Currently, this program costs $675 per credit, so it should cost about $24,300 to complete. Thomas Edison State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
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Master of Arts in Liberal Studies / Digital Humanities
How Does an Online Master’s in Humanities Work?
Master’s in Humanities programs can be completed 100% online, without you needing to commute anywhere. Online Master’s Humanities programs are meant for those who need the flexibility to raise a family, or who are currently working in the field but want to further their careers. With its flexible schedules, you will be able to complete your assignments at your own pace. There are typically no in-person requirements for its completion. Generally, it would take around 2 years to earn a Master’s in Humanities degree, which is how long it usually takes to complete a Master’s degree.
What To Expect From an Online Humanities Program
Online Humanities courses are focused on teaching you about subjects in areas focusing on history, philosophy, and art. You’ll learn to utilize critical thinking and problem-solving skills to understand historical and cultural contexts and formulate your own ideas. Furthermore, you will also explore societal issues such as human rights, and learn how to better people’s lives in society today. Since employees these days deeply value people’s ability to think critically and appropriately adapt to new situations, having an online Humanities Master’s degree can increase your value in the job market. For this type of program, you will take courses such as Research Study and Use, The Ancient World, Antiquity and Medieval World, The Renaissance, and Enlightenment and the Modern World.
Admissions Requirements
Admission requirements will typically require that you complete an online or in-person application to enroll in the university of your choice. You will need to have a Bachelor’s degree earned from a regionally accredited college or university, as well as submit official transcripts of your schoolwork. You will need to submit two reference letters from a former professor knowledgeable about your academic work, along with an admission essay. The length of the essay can vary based on the university, but it typically centers on your interest in the program, your chosen specialization, and your goals upon completing the degree. International students must meet additional requirements, such as passing the Reading & Writing in English Proficiency Assessment or having a TOEFL score of 550 or higher.
Is Getting a Master’s in Humanities Online Worth It?
Earning a Master’s degree in Humanities is worth it to prepare you for a wide range of careers. With their broad scope, they can help you get a job in many fields, such as a postsecondary teacher, a museum curator, or a producer. Most of these jobs don’t require licensure, except for teaching. In that case, you’ll need a teaching license.
In the role of a postsecondary educator, your duties involve instructing college students and equipping them with the skills needed for professional success. Typically, a doctorate in humanities is necessary for this position, except in community colleges. As of 2022, the average annual salary for this profession is $80,840. The BLS projects a job growth of 8% from 2022 to 2032, a rate significantly higher than the average.
A museum curator manages a museum’s collection, which includes acquiring, researching, and preserving artifacts or artworks, and organizing exhibitions to educate and engage the public. They also often play a key role in fundraising and public outreach for the museum. As of 2022, museum curators have an annual median pay of around $53,420. There are currently 37,700 jobs available for museum curators, and there is an expected increase of 10% in the job outlook from 2022 to 2032, which is above average.
A producer oversees the production of films, TV shows, or theater productions, managing aspects from funding and hiring talent to guiding the creative direction and ensuring it stays on schedule and budget. As of 2022, the annual median pay is around $85,320. There are currently 175,300 jobs available in this area, with an anticipated increase of 7% for the job outlook from 2022 to 2032, which is an above-average growth rate.
Start a Master’s in Humanities Online Today!
Getting a Master’s in Humanities will both enhance your critical thinking and communication skills. It can also be essential for advancing your career goals, so you should start sooner rather than later. If you want to pursue an online Master’s in Humanities degree, then why not take your first step today? Apply online today, so you can start working toward your career goals!