If you seek to understand the human condition and society through a broad lens, an online PhD humanities program could be the best way to deepen your knowledge. While most online humanities PhD programs confine you to a smaller subject area, a degree in humanities allows you to use multiple viewpoints to research, examine, and endeavor to understand profound truths about our lives and our world.
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Getting to Know the Online PhD Humanities Degree
Doctoral programs in liberal arts are often very similar to humanities degree programs, so you may see degrees with either title. Humanities subjects can include literature, sociology, philosophy, languages, history, fine and performing arts, religion, law, and media. Programs in liberal arts are likely to include more subjects such as social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics. When you choose a doctorate in humanities online, you can use all these methods to study the aspects of human culture and experience that most interest you. While it may seem like the field is very general, it is an ideal program for people who think intensely about issues and want to discover deeper insights through multiple angles.
The Interdisciplinary Nature of Humanities
Many of the most vital questions about the world and humankind don’t fit neatly into just one discipline. For this reason, a cross-disciplinary degree program can tackle problems that don’t have simple solutions. If you like to look at issues from different angles, taking in ideas from disparate fields of study, then a more open-ended humanities degree will allow you to bring various types of human knowledge to bear on your topics of interest. You might think that an online PhD in humanities or liberal arts is for the undecided, yet it’s quite the contrary. Online PhD programs in humanities help you examine the many theories that impact your particular areas of interest.
The Significance of a PhD in Humanities
For the humanities, the PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is the highest level of education. A doctorate in humanities online allows you to continue your regular life while studying the topics that matter to you. These programs look at the intersections and distinctions between the many areas of study, giving you a truly interdisciplinary education. Each program will have a different set of required courses, plus some elective or independent study courses that allow you to tailor the degree to your interests.
Deciphering Degree Titles: Liberal Arts vs. Humanities
The degree title is less important than the content of the curriculum and whether it allows you to explore the fields you want—liberal arts and humanities are often used interchangeably. However, “liberal arts” is a broader area that technically encompasses the humanities plus sciences. But you’ll also find humanities degrees that include coursework in topics outside of the usual topics in humanities. Alternatively, if you have narrowed down your field of interest to one of the humanities topics, you might want to choose a more focused program in that one specific field. There are many possible doctoral degrees within liberal arts, such as languages, religious studies, philosophy, or world history.
You will want to study for your online PhD in humanities at an accredited higher education institution. Accreditation, which is granted by accrediting agencies and overseen by the US Department of Education, assures you that the university you choose has sound academic and governance policies in place. It also means that employers and other educational institutions will recognize your degree. There is no programmatic accreditation body in the humanities, as the career outcomes can vary greatly.
The professional objectives of students in arts and humanities PhD online programs vary greatly. Some common career fields include education, nonprofit, government, communications, and consulting. Many students enroll in a humanities PhD to further their current career and deepen their understanding humanity. They may wish to grasp how cultural patterns affect their profession of choice. Students who are passionate about ideas and independent thinkers often choose this educational path.
How Do Online PhD Programs in Humanities Work?
Most programs require little or no travel to campus for in-person classes. You can find entirely online PhD programs in humanities, with all classes conducted online. The online courses may be asynchronous, meaning you can access the materials at any time of day or night. You can then turn in assignments or participate in discussion forums by specific due dates. Some programs also include synchronous seminars or meetings, where you will interact “live” online with classmates and faculty at the designated time.
Low Residency and Hybrid Programs
Another option is a low residency PhD humanities program. These are sometimes called hybrid programs, as most of your coursework will be conducted online, just like a 100% online degree, but a few short campus visits are required. During these intensive on-campus experiences, you may spend two days to a week interacting in classes and meetings with your professors and the other students in your cohort. The in-person segments can enhance your study by allowing a short period where you can concentrate fully on your education without the distractions of home and work life. They can also build a sense of community and intensify your learning and commitment to your education while also giving you the flexibility to continue your regular job and family responsibilities with online classes during the year.
Some PhD in humanities online programs have a relatively determined set of required courses you will follow. In contrast, others allow you to choose most of your classes in consultation with a faculty advisor. Typically, you will take some foundation courses to orient you, which often include content on research methods, general theories in the humanities, or broad survey courses to introduce the program’s interdisciplinary nature. All PhD programs require a dissertation or final project, usually a substantial and well-researched written document that explores your specific area of interest. Between more methodical courses and the dissertation work, you may also have seminars for discussion, independent study, and meeting with your faculty advisor to solidify your dissertation plans.
Curriculum and Course Structure
Like most doctorates, the humanities PhD usually takes three or more years to complete. A few accelerated humanities PhD programs online may allow you to finish in less than three years with more intensive class schedules. Some programs will accept transfer credits from other graduate work, which may also decrease the time it takes you to finish. Applicants typically need a master's degree to apply, although there are usually no requirements that your master’s be in a particular subject. Most students for online PhD programs in liberal arts or humanities are adult learners. Their diverse experiences and knowledge enrich the classroom environment.
A doctoral degree requires research, writing, and a robust analysis of the subject matter. Each program will have unique course titles, some exploring the interdisciplinary ideas within the humanities and some exploring a single field to gain a deeper understanding of that topic. Here are some examples of the courses you may find in entirely online PhD programs in humanities:
- Interdisciplinary Studies Seminar
- The Human Condition: The Pursuit of Happiness
- Historical Investigation: Great Ideas, Authors, Writings
- ReWriting Nations: Nationalism, Postcolonialism, and the Politics of Literary Representation
- Comparative Religion
- Theories of Aesthetics
- Math and Scientific Reasoning: Great Ideas, Authors, Writings
- Research in Interdisciplinary Studies
Each program may have a slightly different bent, with some concentrating on “great books” and others on social justice. Yet other programs may lean towards a global perspective or focus on applying historical lessons to the present. Because there is variation within humanities departments, prospective PhD students should examine the curriculum of the colleges they are considering to see if it aligns with their specific interests or will allow them to choose courses and topics that further their own thinking and goals. Students should seek faculty members aligned with their particular area of research, as this can help determine the most suitable program.
Best Online PhD Program in Humanities
Faulkner University
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $31,725Faulkner University offers an online Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities focused on the Great Books. The program blends ideas from literature, history, and more, grounded in a Christian worldview. Professionals from many fields will appreciate the deep exploration of how our world is shaped by thoughts from varied fields and diverse perspectives, bringing a well-rounded and highly developed academic preparation for positions in government, education, research, and many other areas of endeavor.
To begin with, expand your mind and deepen your understanding of where we are today with a robust curriculum. This includes two foundation courses, seven core courses, two interdisciplinary seminars, independent tutorials, and dissertation courses. The courses cover profound concepts and analysis of literature, math and science, philosophy, and social sciences. In short, they aim to enrich your life, which will help you to better serve the world in your profession. This holds true whether your path is in Christian education, government service, academic research, or any other career. The doctorate engages your spiritual and intellectual faculties in understanding our world. Furthermore, the curriculum lets you explore diverse subjects and refine your philosophy.
In similar fashion, courses are 100% online, with 48 credits comprising the entire degree program. The program incorporates virtual meetings, discussion boards, and digital conferences to deliver engaging and lively interaction with esteemed faculty and diverse peer students. Adult students with work, family, and community responsibilities will appreciate the flexibility, allowing them to satisfy their intellectual curiosity with advanced coursework leading to a humanities PhD online. Finally, the dissertation is a venue for students to use the knowledge gained to examine a topic of great interest and produce a meaningful final project to be proud of.
Applicants need a master’s from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.25 GPA to apply. Additionally, minimum scores on admission tests may be required unless the applicant holds a master’s degree in a related field. Applicants must complete the graduate application form, submit three letters of recommendation and transcripts, and provide a statement of purpose and postgraduate writing sample. Students may transfer up to six credits of post-master’s coursework from another institution with the program director’s approval.
If you seek a challenging environment to explore your thinking and discuss critical ideas with passionate peers, consider Faulkner University. Their PhD in Humanities offers a rich environment to deepen your knowledge and engagement with the world. Getting your doctorate is an achievement you can use to bolster your career and sense of self. Rigorous study, in addition, can also change you profoundly. Bring your whole self to your research with this online program full of discovery and enrichment. All the while, you can maintain your current job and family life.
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Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities
Is an Online PhD Humanities Degree Worth It?
Getting a doctoral degree in humanities can lead to increased career options. At the same time, you’ll hone your critical thinking, communication, writing, and problem-solving skills. Ambitious students with aspirations to positively impact society can benefit from this PhD. Indeed, it involves many fundamental methods of researching, analyzing, and influencing the world around us. The drive to get a PhD arises from a boundless curiosity. At times, that can only be satisfied by lifelong learning and in-depth study of essential concepts. To this end, the humanities PhD is a great way to combine a love of learning with a credential that gives you esteem in the professional world. Without a doubt, a humanities doctorate gives you broad knowledge and develops critical thinking skills to work in any number of careers at advanced ranks.
Humanities studies graduates find employment in a variety of careers. A doctoral degree can increase one’s earning potential in a current career or give the extra credentials to switch careers. Typical jobs for liberal arts PhDs include postsecondary teaching, with a median salary of $79,640; college administration, where you can expect to earn about $96,910; and writing, with median earnings of $69,510. Other positions may include historians ($63,940,) curators ($60,380,) and political scientists ($122,510.)
The median salaries mentioned here are most certainly lower than a PhD can command. In other words, the breadth of career options can include many specialized options unique to each person’s background. Graduates with a doctorate in humanities also possess the skills and knowledge to work in high-level or managerial positions. These jobs exist across industries, government, and in nonprofit or religious leadership, to name a few. Graduates can also create jobs to utilize their superior perspective on real-world problems.
Start an Online PhD in Humanities Today!
The interdisciplinary nature of an online PhD humanities degree can stimulate your creativity, thinking, and communication. In doing so, it can help you realize your highest ambitions. The online humanities PhD offers a sense of accomplishment and engagement. Not to mention, it can boost life satisfaction and enhance your career. Why not “seize the day” and explore your passion for knowledge in an online humanities PhD?