Online and Distance Learning

Interested in humanities and arts?  Do you want to study a degree in this area?  Whether you want to take an undergraduate degree in Arts or a PhD Humanities, this page will provide advice and links to resources.

The humanities and the arts are academic disciplines which study the human condition.  Arts and humanities research methods are primarily analytic, critical, or speculative, as opposed to the mainly empirical approaches of the natural and social sciences.  The majors/disciplines that can be taken in a humanities and art degree would include: Art and Design (Design, Interior Design, Video Game Development, Visual Arts, Visual Communication); Classical Studies; English (including TESOL); General Studies; History; Languages; Law; Liberal Arts; Library Science; Literature; Museum Studies; Performing Arts (Dance, Entertainment, Music, Theatre); Philosophy; Theology; Writing (Creative, Business, Technical).  More details and links are provided for some of these below. Browse more schools and programs at the foot of the page, and/or search for humanities and arts programs here.

Art and Design

Disciplines/majors in Art and Design would include: Design, Interior Design, Video Game Development, Visual Arts, Visual Communication.  Students typically take courses in the principles and techniques of working with color, type, illustration, photography, animation, and various print and computer layout techniques.

English

English as a humanities and the arts major typically involves the study of the language itself (both spoken and written) and its cultural context.  A degree in English also focuses on critical thinking and analysis, research skills, critical writing, and public speaking.  This can prepare graduates for careers in writing, publishing, education, politics, law, business, and journalism.

Online English courses are very often designed to help students improve their reading comprehensive skills, and appropriate use of the language.  In addition, there are online English courses which are designed to improve the language skills of students for whom English is not a first language.  These courses fall under Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), English Second Language Learners (ESLL) or English as a Second Language (ESL). Browse more schools and programs at the foot of the page, and/or search for liberal arts and humanities programs here.

Technical Writing

As a more recent field in art and humanities, the purpose of technical writing is to explain technical details in a way that non-technical readers are able to read and understand.  A degree in technical communication helps students develop skills in print, video, and online media where they work as a technical writer or editor. Their job is to interpret data, statistics, and other information, which is then, translated it into written material that is easily understood easily by nontechnical and technical and nontechnical users.

Video Game Development

Degrees in Video Game Development, games design, game art, game production or similar programs relating to video games education are the usual entry point into positions such as game and interactive software tester, game maintenance administrator, documentation writer, and support specialist. In your video games development degree you will usually be able to select a specialty, such as 3-D modeling and animation, digital illustration, 3D animation, broadcast graphic design, advergaming and storyboard art. Browse more schools and programs at the foot of the page, and/or search for liberal arts and humanities programs here.

Visual Communications

The goal of visual communication is to creatively display information and products, for example in public relations and promotions.  This is one of the relatively new arts disciplines and has grown dramatically with the introduction of web-based advertising and the popularity of the Internet.  A visual communications degree will prepare you with skills in graphic design, web design multimedia design, and interactive media.

Writing

Writing projects are a big part of the online creative writing degree program. Reading is also a major requirement most online creative writing courses. Some requirements may include readings in American literature, classic literature, and world literature. Some online writing programs may also offer courses in business writing for students who wish to enter a business career. In addition course work would be required in research practices, style manuals, and English grammar. There are many career options that graduates of a creative writing degree program can choose.

List of humanities and arts schools and programs