Humanities
Unlock personal and professional growth as a humanities major
Dive into the humanities (BA) at Simmons. Our program will expand your mind, broaden your view of life, and deepen your understanding of what it means to be human.
The Gwen Ifill School offers an exciting, innovative curriculum. Courses cover art, children’s literature, history, literature and writing, philosophy, applied Spanish, and more. We honor multicultural perspectives and celebrate differences in race, gender, and sexuality.
Our exceptional faculty are artists, writers and poets, historians, and philosophers. They will inspire you to learn and guide you along your journey in the humanities. Our classes average 17 students, allowing for strong connections with classmates and faculty.
Broaden Your Knowledge While Developing In-Demand Skills
A BA degree in the humanities will equip you with skills employers seek. According to the American Association of Colleges & Universities’ survey of employers, these include:
- Oral Communication
- Critical thinking and analytic reasoning
- Teamwork skills with diverse groups
- Ethical judgment and decision-making
- Written communication
- Complex problem solving
You also will have the opportunity to take part in internships and research. You’ll receive advising, support, and guidance based on your career and research goals. Our professors and the Simmons Career Education Center staff offer a humanities-focused career course that will help you get ready for life after graduation.
Simmons alums with a humanities degree find employment in a variety of fields. You will explore potential careers in academia, law, creative industries, nonprofit work, and more.
Why Get a Bachelor's Degree in Humanities?
There are many reasons to pursue a Humanities bachelor’s degree at Simmons:
- Breadth of learning: Take advantage of the extensive curriculum. You may choose to enroll in cross-listed courses in administration, communications, politics, and more;
- Depth of knowledge: Gain expertise through four required upper-level courses. Choose from capstone alternatives, which include independent studies, seminars, and internships;
- Collaborative learning: Engage with other students in a wide range of courses. Deepen your knowledge of critical thinking, argumentation, and public humanities writing. Participate in internships and the seminars; and
- Diverse education: Discover the Humanities from a variety of cultural perspectives. We offer many courses focused on issues of race, gender, and sexuality.
Spotlight on Humanities Students and Alums
Honing Hands-on Editing and Interdisciplinary Journalism
Alicia Guzman ’25 reflects on the supportive faculty members she found at Simmons, her favorite courses, the research projects she conducted, and how she became inspired to pursue a media studies degree in graduate school.
Six Students Selected for the 2025 Senior Scholar Award
Ginjer Doherty ’25, Aviva Foster ’25, CJ Haggard ’25, Theo Hatfield ’25, Lili Malatinszky ’25, and Grace Walters ’25 have been selected for the prestigious Senior Scholar Award at Simmons University. Sponsored by the Provost’s Office and the Office of Research and Fellowships, the Senior Scholar Award recognizes outstanding scholarly research across different disciplinary fields.
Alumna Appointed Principal of Elementary School
Brit Sikes ’96 has been appointed Principal of Una Elementary School by Metro Nashville Public Schools.
STEM Student Receives Research Scholarship from American Chemical Society
Biochemistry major and Literature and Writing minor Reagan Cleversey ’26 received the competitive James Flack Norris / Theodore William Richards Summer Research Scholarship from the American Chemical Society. She spoke with us about her passion for medicinal chemistry and the importance of mentorship.
Writing Speculative Fiction and Leading from Within
An interview with Tessa Culhane ’24 What are the most impactful things you have done over the last four years? In the last four years, I graduated from Cape Cod Community College with my Associate’s in Business Administration, and will...
Advocating for Fallen Angels in the City of Angels
Hannah Ibañez ’13 is a Level 2 Public Defender in Los Angeles who was appointed to the United States Access Board by President Joe Biden. She spoke with us about her passion for social justice, her love of philosophy, and her fondest memories of Simmons.
A Queer History of Simmons
History Major Kaz Gebhardt '25 researches the queer foundations of decades-old Simmons traditions.
Undergraduate Recipients of 2023 Senior Scholar Award
Six seniors across the University have been selected as recipients of the 2023 Senior Scholar Award, in recognition of outstanding scholarship and contribution to a field of study.