Fastest Online Humanities Degree Programs

Accelerated bachelor’s programs allow students to take additional coursework to graduate in fewer than four years. Accelerated online bachelor’s programs in humanities, which include subjects like history, English, philosophy, and foreign languages, help students build critical thinking, problem-solving, and qualitative analysis skills within a compressed timeframe.

At most schools, accelerated bachelor’s programs allow online learners to take extra courses, sometimes over the summer semester, to graduate within three years instead of four. In some cases, students in accelerated programs can actually earn their degrees within two years.

Accelerated programs usually differ slightly from degree completion programs, which require incoming students to have completed significant prior coursework, often 30-60 credits. However, some degree completion programs may offer accelerated timelines.

For centuries, learners seeking knowledge and personal growth have found the humanities worth studying. Read on to learn more about these programs and why an accelerated degree in humanities might be a good fit for you.

In most fields, including the humanities, accelerated bachelor’s programs allow students to graduate in 2-3 years instead of the usual four. Accelerated programs often cover the exact same course material and the same number of credits as traditional programs; however, they use a more concentrated, often asynchronous format.

Most accelerated bachelor’s programs still consist of approximately 120 credits. Students can graduate more quickly by taking more courses per semester or during the summers. Some programs use competency-based education, allowing students to test out of material they already understand and progress more quickly through the curriculum. Competency-based education is often the quickest way to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Humanities is an umbrella term, referring to a multidisciplinary field that deals with human culture and experience. Humanities fields include literature, language, philosophy, religion, and history. Bachelor’s in humanities programs often offer majors or concentrations in these and related fields.

Accelerated bachelor’s programs in humanities can be a good fit for students interested in these fields who have the capacity for rigorous and fast-paced coursework. These programs usually offer plenty of customization through concentrations and majors, as students can often pick which field of humanities they want to focus on.

Most online bachelor’s in humanities programs require students to complete 120 credits. These programs generally consist of mostly regular coursework, although some programs may include internship opportunities and capstone or thesis requirements. Accelerated programs often allow students to complete all degree requirements in 2-3 years of year-round study.

This survey course, which students often take during the first semester of a bachelor’s in humanities program, covers significant developments in human culture, including in art and music.

This course covers major philosophical movements and thinkers throughout history, potentially including Aristotle, Plato, and existentialism. Students also receive an introduction to major ideas and central questions of the discipline.

This survey course delves into major thinkers and ideas who have influenced contemporary ideas of social justice. Possible topics include environmental justice, the Civil Rights Movement, women’s rights, and healthcare equity.

Often running from the prehistoric age through the Middle Ages, this course introduces students to major developments in Western visual art. Students gain the terminology and skills needed to analyze and describe different works of art.

Many humanities programs include some sort of culminating experience, which often takes the form of a senior seminar, a capstone project, or a thesis.

Admission requirements are often similar, if not completely identical, for on-campus and online bachelor’s in humanities programs. For accelerated programs, in addition to the materials listed below, you may have to complete a phone or Zoom interview to demonstrate that you can cope with the fast pace of coursework.

All online bachelor’s in humanities programs require prospective students to complete an application form. In many cases, undergraduate applicants can submit materials to multiple schools at once through application systems like the Common App and Coalition App.

While more and more schools aren’t requiring the ACT or SAT or are adopting test-optional policies, some programs still require applicants to submit standardized test scores. If you plan on applying to schools that do require testing, try to take the ACT and SAT at least once each.

Most undergraduate programs, regardless of discipline, require prospective students to send in 2-3 letters of recommendation. If you are a recent high school graduate, you should ask former teachers to write these letters on your behalf. If you’ve worked for several years since high school, you can ask professional supervisors.

Writing is an essential skill for any humanities major. As such, most undergraduate humanities programs require applicants to send in 1-3 short essays, often of 500-700 words. Common prompts include a statement of purpose or career goals or a time you overcame a difficult situation.

All undergraduate programs require applicants to submit transcripts from all prior secondary and postsecondary schools they have attended. These documents help schools determine which courses to place you in. They also use transcripts to award AP and transfer credit. Students who transfer from community colleges should always ask for a transfer credit evaluation.

The level of popularity of humanities among college majors is a bit unclear. A 2019 National Center for Education Statistics study found that history and social sciences was the third most popular college major, which means that many students do pursue at least one humanities field.

However, the skills that you learn during a humanities program, including critical thinking and qualitative analysis, can make you a valuable asset in many different careers. Employers do not distinguish between accelerated and traditional bachelor’s degree-holders, so if you have the capacity to pursue an accelerated humanities program, you may be able to enter the workforce more quickly.

Possible postgraduate careers for humanities majors include writer, teacher, professor, and nonprofit or museum worker. Graduates may also be able to find work as technical writers.

See where a bachelor’s in humanities can take you. Learn more about humanities careers.

These professionals develop written materials, such as books, reported articles, brochures, ad copy, and search engine optimization content. There are many different types of professional writing, and humanities majors can often find a fit as writers or authors. These professionals usually need a bachelor’s degree and relevant experience.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021):$69,510

These educators usually focus on a specific content area, teaching lessons and providing students with the academic skills they need to succeed in high school and beyond. Humanities graduates can teach courses in subjects like history, English, and art history. Public school teachers need a state-issued teaching license in addition to a bachelor’s degree.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021):$61,820

Social and community service managers head up nonprofit, faith-based, and governmental organizations. Day-to-day tasks may include managing budgets, hiring employees, running meetings, and liaising with a board of directors. These professionals usually need a bachelor’s degree and significant professional experience.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021):$74,000

There are several different roles that humanities graduates can pursue at museums, including program manager, tour guide, archivist, curator, and conservationist. In each role, knowledge of history, often covered in humanities programs, is essential. These professionals usually need a bachelor’s degree.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021):$50,120

Postsecondary teachers in the humanities teach college courses and perform scholarly research in their discipline. These careers require at least a master’s degree, and tenure-track professorships require a Ph.D. However, earning a bachelor’s degree can be the first step toward landing one of these jobs.

Median Annual Salary (May 2021):$79,640

Continuing education is very common for students who earn bachelor’s degrees in the humanities. Many careers, such as postsecondary teaching, require additional education. Furthermore, since humanities is a broad field that doesn’t lead to any specific career, some bachelor’s degree-holders pursue master’s degrees in professional fields like counseling and teaching.

Some graduates of bachelor’s in humanities programs transition directly into Ph.D. programs in their same fields. Students who complete these programs can pursue careers in academia and research.

Average costs for online bachelor’s in humanities programs vary, as there are many different humanities fields. However, for the most savings, consider enrolling online at in-state public universities as opposed to out-of-state private schools.

All distance learners, no matter the discipline, must determine whether synchronous or asynchronous learning is a better fit for them. They should also consider whether they want to enroll full time or part time or pursue an accelerated program.

Even if you enroll in an online program, you may want to pick a school close to you. Some humanities programs include in-person requirements, which are usually much easier to complete if you live near the school. Furthermore, some programs maintain relationships with local employers, so you may have an easier time finding jobs and internships at a nearby school.

Accreditation is a process overseen by the U.S. Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation that verifies the quality of a school’s programs and services. Make sure that the school you choose to attend holds accreditation. Otherwise, you cannot receive federal financial aid.

Student support is essential for distance learners, who may not always feel the support of an in-person community. Before you commit to a program, check to see if the school offers student services like mentorship opportunities, internship placements, advising, and alumni connections.

Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Each year, the BestColleges Ranking Team evaluates hundreds of programs to produce our annual Best Online Bachelor’s in [SUBJECT] ranking. In 2022, the team sourced the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. We identified [NUMBER OF SCHOOLS] schools that qualify for our ranking list based on the following criteria.

To ensure the accuracy and quality of our final ranked list, the ranking team reviewed each qualifying school to ensure it met the criteria for our ranking, and then applied our proprietary ranking methodology to identify the best schools offering this program in the nation. Each school is ranked based on a formula measuring academic factors (60%) and affordability (40%).

The BestColleges Ranking Team is made up of contributors from our data science and product management teams. These contributors operate independently from the editorial team. All BestColleges school rankings are produced by the ranking team and are free of editorial influence. Read our Editorial Policy and Standards to learn more.

In rare cases, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in one year. Most students who manage to earn a degree that quickly have already completed a significant amount of college credits or have received significant credit for prior learning or work experience. As such, students who earn a degree in one year are usually enrolled in degree completion programs.

Most accelerated bachelor’s programs take 2-3 years to complete instead of the usual four years of full-time study.

It depends on each individual student. However, if you are able to commit a significant amount of time to your studies and want to enter the workforce quickly, accelerated online classes are often worth it.

If you’re a good fit for accelerated classes, you can graduate quickly and start earning a salary. As such, accelerated programs often provide a high return on investment. However, if you have significant professional or family commitments, accelerated classes probably aren’t worth it, as you may not be able to keep up with coursework or your stress levels might increase.

Yes, accelerated bachelor’s degrees are as valuable as traditional degrees. Employers do not differentiate between job candidates who earned accelerated degrees and their peers who earned traditional degrees. In almost all cases, the actual degree does not say whether or not the student earned it in an accelerated or traditional format.

In most programs, accelerated and traditional degrees cover the exact same course material and require the exact same number of credits. There is no difference in the quality of instruction.

It depends on your goals and obligations. If you do not have many other commitments and are able to invest significant energy in your coursework, an accelerated bachelor’s degree in humanities might be right for you. If you are interested in a specific humanities field or aspire to a career in academia or research, one of these programs might also be a good fit for you.

An accelerated bachelor’s program in humanities also might be a good fit if you want to enter the workforce and start earning a salary in under four years.

Accelerated degree programs usually provide the same level of affordability as their traditional counterparts. While costs can vary widely by school and by program, tuition rates for these types of programs often range from $300-$600 per credit, which is comparable to full-time, four-year bachelor’s programs.

You may be able to save money if you enroll at schools that charge tuition by semester instead of by credit. Since you’ll graduate more quickly in an accelerated program, you’ll likely pay fewer semesters of tuition.

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