Department of Interdisciplinary and Public Humanities

What is Interdisciplinary and Public Humanities?

Interdisciplinary and Public Humanities is where your intellectual curiosity transforms into meaningful impact across cultures, communities and careers. Here, you'll personalize your journey of discovery by choosing from an exciting range of courses that blend traditional scholarship with innovative methodologies, empowering you to tackle pressing global challenges with fresh perspective and deep understanding. Your learning becomes transformative action — creating picture books to teach indigenous languages, exploring colonialism through global feminism, engaging classical texts with contemporary voices, or uncovering migration histories through the arts. 

Through cutting-edge public humanities scholarship, you'll work in real communities using local parks, historic homes and cultural spaces as your laboratories for change. Whether you're preparing for medical school, law school or leadership in cultural institutions, you'll develop the critical thinking and problem-solving expertise that gives you a competitive edge while creating lasting positive impact in your chosen field.

Career Prospects

Where Curiosity Becomes Your Career Catalyst

Transform your passion for understanding humanity into a career that shapes the future. Interdisciplinary and Public Humanities graduates don't just find jobs — they become the thoughtful leaders, innovative problem-solvers and cultural bridge-builders our interconnected world desperately needs. With 84.9% employment rates and 60% of American CEOs holding humanities degrees, your intellectual curiosity becomes your greatest professional asset.

Education and Cultural Leadership 

Salary Range: $48,000-$95,000 
Shape minds and preserve wisdom as an educator, curator or cultural steward. Your deep understanding of human experience positions you to inspire the next generation while safeguarding our collective heritage for the future.

Career Opportunities:

• Secondary Education Teacher inspiring critical thinking
• Museum Curator preserving cultural treasures
• Academic Administrator shaping educational policy
• Instructional Designer creating transformative learning experiences
• Cultural Program Director building community connections
• Educational Technology Specialist bridging tradition and innovation
• Study Abroad Coordinator facilitating global understanding

Law and Public Service 

Salary Range: $55,000-$180,000 
Champion justice and serve your community through careers that demand the analytical rigor and ethical reasoning humanities education provides. Your training in critical analysis and persuasive communication becomes the foundation for meaningful public impact.

Career Opportunities:

• Attorney advocating for justice and human rights
• Public Policy Analyst shaping legislative solutions
• Court Administrator ensuring fair legal processes
• Legal Research Specialist supporting case development
• Government Relations Specialist building stakeholder partnerships
• Civil Rights Advocate protecting fundamental freedoms
• Legislative Assistant crafting policy that matters

Business and Strategic Communications 

Salary Range: $52,000-$150,000 
Lead organizations through your unique ability to understand perspectives and communicate complex ideas. Your humanities background provides the cultural intelligence and strategic thinking that drive business success in our global economy.

Career Opportunities:

• Marketing Communications Manager telling compelling brand stories
• Human Resources Specialist building workplace cultures
• Management Consultant solving complex organizational challenges
• Grant Writer securing funding for meaningful initiatives
• Corporate Communications Director shaping public perception
• Cultural Competency Specialist fostering understanding
• International Business Developer navigating global markets

Media and Digital Innovation 

Salary Range: $45,000-$120,000
Tell the stories that matter in our rapidly evolving digital landscape. Your ability to understand and interpret human experience becomes essential for creating content that resonates across cultures and platforms.

Career Opportunities:

• Content Strategist crafting narratives that engage and inspire
• Digital Humanities Specialist bridging tradition and technology
• Freelance Writer exploring topics that fascinate you
• Social Media Manager building authentic community connections
• Documentary Producer uncovering untold stories
• UX Writer creating intuitive digital experiences
• Cultural Critic analyzing contemporary society

Emerging Impact Sectors

Salary Range: $58,000-$140,000
Pioneer new career paths at the intersection of humanities wisdom and contemporary challenges. Your training in critical thinking and cultural analysis positions you to tackle complex global issues with nuance and creativity.

Career Opportunities:

• Sustainability Communications Specialist advancing environmental goals
• AI Ethics Consultant ensuring technology serves humanity
• Cultural Competency Trainer building bridges across communities
• Global Development Program Manager addressing world challenges
• Research Analyst for think tanks shaping public discourse
• Healthcare Humanities Specialist improving patient experiences
• Conflict Resolution Specialist facilitating dialogue and understanding

Your Journey of Intellectual Discovery Awaits 

Every path in Interdisciplinary and Public Humanities connects your passion for understanding human experience with the power to create meaningful change. Whether you're drawn to preserving cultural heritage, advancing justice or bridging global communities, your humanities education provides the foundation for a career that matters. With 11% growth in cultural institutions and employers desperately seeking the critical thinking skills you'll develop, your investment in humanities becomes your gateway to both personal fulfillment and professional success that grows stronger with time.