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15 Best Online Associate in Humanities Degrees

Written by College Cliffs Team At CollegeCliffs.com, our team, comprising seasoned educators and counselors, is committed to supporting students on their journey through graduate studies. Our advisors, holding advanced degrees in diverse fields, provide tailored guidance, current program details, and pragmatic tips on navigating application procedures.

Reviewed by Linda Weems I got started researching colleges and universities about 10 years ago while exploring a second career. While my second career ended up being exactly what I’m doing now, and I didn’t end up going to college, I try to put myself in your shoes every step of the way as I build out College Cliffs as a user-friendly resource for prospective students.

Updated: November 25, 2024, Reading time: 21 minutes

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In general, Humanities deals with the broad understanding of the human being, from culture to government systems and environmental factors. As a result, Humanities has become a very diverse field that covers a wide range of industries.

An online Associate in Humanities usually covers courses in languages, liberal arts, and sciences. This will allow you to qualify for several entry-level positions, as well as continue your education through a bachelor’s degree program.

Listen to the summary of this article:

The Lowdown:

Studying Humanities deals with a range of topics, relevant to various industries. As a result, more students have become interested in taking up this program. The increased student interest has led Humanities programs to become popular college choices. Getting an associate degree in Humanities will open up numerous job opportunities. Aside from that, an associate degree provides a good head start if you plan on taking up a bachelor’s degree. 

METHODOLOGY

Rewarding career tracks await graduates with a Humanities degree. At the associate degree level, this program provides a thorough overview of the field, with numerous concentrations that students can choose from upon proceeding to the next level of their undergraduate education.

Let us help you decide on the best Online Associate in Humanities program to attend! We compiled the programs and colleges offering the program online–all of which exhibit the following impressive features:

For more details on our selection process, visit our Methodology page.

The 15 Best Associate in Humanities Online Degree Program Options

University of Akron

University of Akron

The University of Akron offers a selection of online programs ranging from Akron online associate degrees to UA’s bachelor’s degree programs and graduate studies. If you want to build a good foundation in social sciences and education, UAkron Online’s Associate of Arts program may be the right choice. 

The program may be tailored according to your needs. Choose from a range of humanities courses like:

Aside from imparting relevant knowledge and interdisciplinary perspectives, the program also aims to improve your critical thinking skills and creative thinking. 

The 60-credit arts degree program comes with 8-week fully online courses that may be finished in two years. Students may pursue UA’s bachelor’s degree programs upon completing the associate level or apply for entry-level work.

Liberty University

Liberty University

Depending on your goals, Liberty University is home to a variety of online programs to choose from. LU Online provides excellent Christian studies programs to train future ministry leaders and theology teachers. The associate arts degree program in Religion is a great choice to prepare students for pastoral leadership.

With a mission to “train champions for Christ,” the online degree program is geared towards growing your Biblical knowledge while instilling leadership and interpersonal skills.

Cover different theology program courses such as:

All courses may be taken online, perfect for working individuals and part-time students. With this online associate program, you may qualify to work under different ministries and religious institutions.

Lorain County Community College 

Lorain County Community College 

The Lorain County Community College offers a selection of online bachelor’s and associate degrees for busy professionals and part-time students if you’re looking for a degree offering a good academic foundation,  LCCC Online’s Humanities Studies, One-Year General Certificate program.

This online degree prepares students for entry-level careers and higher education. You may choose from different modules, including:

It also covers different humanities courses ranging from literature to mythology and global communities.

LCCC Online also offers an accelerated online associate pathway where you can finish your associate degree in as fast as 15 months, depending on your credits earned per semester. Class advisors are available for academic advice and assistance to prepare students for their next journey.

Ulster County Community College

Ulster County Community College

Ulster County Community College provides online learning opportunities for continuing adult students and military personnel. The online programs offered range from bachelor’s degree programs to online associate programs and certificates.

Among the online associate degree programs, the associate of arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences is a standout. Its curriculum heavily emphasizes humanities and social sciences, key areas when considering higher academic programs and teaching roles.

You can expect to take a diverse list of courses, including Public Speaking, Quantitative Reasoning, and Information Literacy. You’ll also be able to choose electives from different specialty areas and cultural studies. Additionally, SUNY Ulster provides financial aid through scholarships to deserving students.

Clinton Community College

Clinton Community College

Clinton Community College offers on-campus, fully online, and hybrid learning programs to accommodate the needs of its students. The Humanities and Social Science online associate arts degree is one of the best choices if you’re looking for broad-based education.

The curriculum coursework includes:

Clinton’s online associate program aims to equip you with a wide range of knowledge, like understanding different human conditions and expanding your global views.

Prepare to enhance your critical thinking and communication skills to pursue entry-level roles. If you’re planning to pursue higher education, you may talk to an advisor to take bachelor’s degree credit courses.

Herkimer County Community College

Herkimer County Community College

Are you interested in taking up humanities studies online? Herkimer County Community College offers an all-online humanities degree program that explores literature, art, and music through the years with the help of cultural studies.

This online associate program will develop your problem-solving capabilities and critical thinking skills. Enroll in various online associate in humanities courses and choose from a selection of electives like:

In this associate in Humanities degree program, students can pursue careers involving journalism, art, advertising, public relations, and teaching.

It’s also worth noting that Herkimer provides essential student services and learning resources online for online students to achieve success. The college also offers financial aid to provide affordable education to students in need.

Maranatha Baptist University

Maranatha Baptist University

The Maranatha Baptist University is one of the best schools offering quality education through on-campus and distance learning formats.

Its online associate of arts in Christian Ministry offers students a good academic foundation for a career involving pastoral leadership and theology program education.

This Christian studies program delivers valuable insight into the Word of God while gaining a deeper understanding of different liberal arts courses. To gain a foothold in Christian studies, you’ll take up courses like:

Students can take this associate of arts degree program from the comfort of their homes through flexible and engaging courses. Additionally, this associate degree is perfect for those seeking bachelor’s degree credit courses.

Coastline Community College

Coastline Community College

Coastline Community College offers a wide selection of associate degrees for students who want to jumpstart their academic journey.

The college’s associate of arts degree in Arts and Humanities is perfect for those seeking to learn more about various cultures and different aspects of the life of a human being.

Students will study different liberal arts courses like:

You may also cover a selection of foreign languages, including French, Japanese, and Arabic, to further understand each culture.

If you decide on taking up a bachelor’s degree, you may qualify to take up a major in Theater Arts, Interior Design, or Religious Studies, among others.

To top it off, the Coastline Community College has been recognized by the Aspen Institute for Community College Excellence for providing some of the best associate degrees in the country.

College of San Mateo

College of San Mateo

College of San Mateo stays true to its commitment to providing accessible education through its online degree programs. The college offers one of the best associate of arts degrees in Interdisciplinary Studies.

With an emphasis on contemporary world issues, the degree curriculum covers a unique selection of courses, including:

This online degree also aims to sharpen your critical thinking skills and appreciation of human diversity by injecting topics on gender studies into some courses.

This degree may help continuing students in landing different majors such as Environmental Science, Communications, and even Social Services. The college also offers a huge array of student resources to help you with your academic journey. Students may enjoy services like counseling, financial aid, and online libraries. 

Brookdale Community College

Brookdale Community College

If you’re looking for a good foundational degree, Brookdale Community College offers an online associate degree in Liberal Arts to get you started with your academic journey. With a Humanities option in the Liberal Arts degree, students will be able to take up a bachelor’s afterward with a seamless transition.

The curriculum equips students with competence and familiarity in various fields:

The flexible associate program also gives you the freedom to choose your general credit courses and electives. You may select different Humanities, Social Sciences, and Communications courses, which are vital in pursuing majors in four-year colleges for academic and career advancement.

Best of all, the courses may be taken fully online without ever needing to go on campus.

Ohio University

Ohio University

The online Associate in Arts Humanities is a liberal arts degree offered at Ohio University. This is a good program that can serve as a foundation for a bachelor’s degree in the future.

The minimum number of semester credits required for this degree is 60. Courses include:

The asynchronous learning environment and flexible advising allow students to complete their degrees at their own pace. If you want to finish your degree in four semesters, you can take a full load or pace your courses to fit your schedule. A regional campus of Ohio University offers this program as well.

Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University - no 2Logo

Louisiana State University offers an online Associate of Arts in Humanities, which can be completed in two years. You can take this course through LSU Eunice as well as LSU Online. The Division of Liberal Arts offers this well-rounded program.

Business, social services, and the arts are among the fields in which graduates will be prepared for entry-level jobs. 

A bachelor’s degree can be earned at a Louisiana 4-year public university at the junior-year level with this degree, also known as the Associate of Arts Louisiana Transfer.

Moreover, students enrolled in the online Associate of Arts program can benefit from the nationally recognized Pathways to Success program, which offers students more personalized attention and continual staff engagement.

You can choose various career paths when earning an online associate degree in humanities at LSUE. Your completed credit hours can be transferred to Louisiana’s 4-year public universities if you’re interested in earning a bachelor’s degree. Your educational goals can be reached in a more affordable manner through this process.

Foothill College

Foothill College

The Associate of Arts in Humanities degree provides students with a foundation of interdisciplinary understanding of human beings and our origins.

With this degree, you will be able to transfer principles and concepts in interdisciplinary thinking and problem-solving across disciplines and advance your career in various fields, such as:

Having studied the ideas and cultural products of cultures around the world, a Humanities degree enables students to develop a global perspective and see how all areas of knowledge are interconnected.

By comparing and contrasting one’s values with others, one can clarify one’s values and deepen one’s sources of wisdom by learning how others have handled failures, successes, adversity, and triumphs.

Erie Community College

Erie Community College

The Associate of Arts in Humanities degree curriculum is flexible enough to accommodate the interests and goals of each student. The diploma you earn will be the same as that earned by students on campus. There is no limit to what these courses can accomplish in terms of content, ideas, intellectual frameworks, skills, and attitudes.

A Humanities degree at Erie Community College provides foundational courses for a wide range of college majors. You can transfer to a bachelor’s degree after taking any liberal arts curriculum in diverse fields like:

This program will provide students with valuable opportunities to explore and test their interests and educational and career goals. In order to transfer to another college, students should ensure that the courses they choose will satisfy the requirements of the institution they intend to transfer to.

Utah Valley University

Utah Valley University

You should enroll in the associate’s degree in Humanities and Social Sciences offered at Utah Valley University. This program is for you if you want to explore a wide range of career options, as the College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers many majors and programs.

The skills you develop will be essential to your success in any field, such as:

In any program within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, an associate’s degree will enhance your ability to earn essential credits and graduate sooner.

The program comes with 60 required credits, of which 12 are taken from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, 35 general coursework, and 13 electives that could be transferred from any college. 

Student success is UVU’s top priority. Whether you study online or on campus, you’ll earn the same degree as traditional students.

The same high-caliber faculty and professors teach the lessons in both online and face-to-face formats. However, during graduation ceremonies, it’s highly encouraged that you take part in UVU commencement and convocation ceremonies on campus.

Common Humanities Courses to Lookout for

With Humanities studies, prepare to cover a huge array of courses. Each course is designed to provide relevant information and insights while imparting skills to produce a competent professional or academic-ready student. Most curriculums include courses in:

With these courses, students will also be able to adopt critical methods to have a more enriching academic experience. In some colleges, humanities subjects are combined with artistic courses. Students may cover courses in music, theater, arts, and even dance.

According to a study, the most popular majors are English and Literature, making up almost half of the humanities student population across the country.

Getting Ready for the Online Setup

Online learning comes with both convenience and responsibilities. While it’s true that you’ll be able to save time and spend less, there are some factors that may affect your learning setup. That’s why it’s important to prepare yourself to embrace distance education.

Find your spot.

Unlike classroom seating arrangements, learning online means you can attend classes anywhere, from your home, workplace, or even at your favorite café. The problem lies in having a noisy or unsuitable environment when having online classes. That’s why it’s important to find a spot where you can study and go over your coursework comfortably. It’s best to find a spot with good lighting, too!

Stay connected.

Before enrolling in an online program, make sure that you have a stable internet connection. Having poor connectivity may greatly affect your academic performance since most online resources require a working internet connection for access. Synchronous classes also require a good connection to attend online classes without interruption.

Strike a balance.

Some online programs may give you the flexibility to finish schoolwork at your own pace. This means you have the freedom to work on your projects anytime. This may either lead to procrastination since you believe you have a lot of time or to overwork since you feel like you need to accomplish everything all at once.

That’s why it’s important to find a balanced routine and come up with proper break schedules so you may go over your coursework with ease.

Get organized.

Similar to having tons of school paperwork, online education may deal with a lot of online files. It’s important to keep your academic files in an orderly fashion. A proven way to do this is by creating computer folders according to your courses.

This may help you find academic documents without having to go over all your computer documents. Having an external drive may provide more space to save your files, too!

Step up your academic game!

Taking an associate degree is a great stepping-stone to getting a bachelor’s degree. While an associate degree may help you land various entry-level roles, getting into a bachelor’s degree program may catapult you to higher roles and a better career outlook.

With a bachelor’s degree, you may pursue career paths in technical writing, teaching, or public relations.

Associate degree programs provide the necessary general education courses that may be credited for attending four-year colleges. While this may vary per institution, it undoubtedly saves you time and financial resources.

Plus, the knowledge base and skills you get from an associate degree are vital in pursuing higher learning.

Have the skills to succeed.

Courses in Humanities provide more than theory, concepts, and important information. It may help you hone competent skills to effectively impress potential employers and handle different positions.

Online Associate in Humanities - fact

Frequently Asked Questions

Is earning a Humanities degree the right program for me?

Every degree program is different; each one comes with a detailed curriculum that aims to reach a specific goal. If you aim to start your academic life with specialty areas seeking a broad range of courses, taking any humanities-related associate program may be your best option. 

This will help you gain a substantial knowledge base and equip you with the right skills to become a well-rounded professional and have a successful career in the future.

To achieve this, you’ll also need to choose the right online institution to provide the best curriculum and quality instruction.

What’s in store for Humanities Associate degree graduates?

An associate degree in Humanities may open many opportunities across different industries. An online degree prepares students by arming them with the right theoretical background and relevant skill set; you may qualify for positions including:

Additionally, humanities graduates may also work in the fields of business, marketing, and law. With the acquired creative skills, you may land roles that deal with business innovation and advertising. Getting a good foundation in Philosophy or English may help you in pursuing a law degree.

Does an associate degree in Humanities pay off?

Does an Associate degree in Humanities pay off?

Humanities graduates may earn between $38,000 to $130,000 range annually. This may vary according to your position, tenure, and industry. According to a labor statistics source, some of the high-paying positions include:

What are the requirements for admission to a Humanities Associate degree program?

Online colleges usually ask students to fill out an online application form to provide personal information and background. You’ll also need to settle an application fee that may range from $20 to $90. Most online institutions require a copy of your high school diploma and transcript of records.

You may also need to satisfy a GPA requirement to be admitted. In case you don’t have a high school diploma, you’ll have to be 18 years old to be able to be admitted.

As with earning bachelor’s degree credit courses, an associate degree requires students to meet credit requirements for completion throughout the program.

How much does tuition cost in an Associate in Humanities online degree program?

Total tuition may range from $19,000 to $34,000 for an associate degree in Humanities. However, it’s best to note that most institutions offer financial aid to ease your spending. This applies even to online programs.

You may apply for various scholarship programs such as Presidential programs, private company scholarships, or honors programs. Students serving in the military may also receive various financial benefits like tuition discounts.  

How long does it take to complete a Humanities associate degree program?

How long does it take to complete a Humanities Associate degree program?

Students typically complete 60 credits to finish an associate degree in humanities. This applies to other humanities-related associate programs, too. Most of the online programs are designed to be finished within two years. However, this may vary depending on your pace. With fewer courses per semester, part-time students may complete the degree in up to four years.

Is financial aid available for online Associate degrees in Humanities?

A good thing about two-year colleges is that they generally charge a lower per-credit rate than four-year colleges. You could already save on tuition from the moment you sign up. A liberal arts associate’s degree will still require you to pursue financial aid.

Federal aid is available to students through the FAFSA. Students pursuing liberal arts degrees can access federal grants, loans, and scholarships. Liberal arts and two-year degree students may also be eligible for private or local scholarships.

You may need to apply to new scholarship programs every year or semester. Each scholarship recipient is usually only eligible to receive it once in their lifetime. You will have a better chance of being awarded additional scholarships if you maintain a high GPA throughout your semesters.

What will you learn in a Humanities program?

By studying humanities, you will gain a deeper understanding of the things that unite and divide us as humans. You can improve your soft skills through coursework and research in almost any aspect of your life, whether personal or professional.

Some of these skills include having social responsibility, being a good leader, improving your communication skills, brushing up on your critical thinking and analytical skills, and having quantitative reasoning. 

Key Takeaways

Related Resources: