Why Study Humanities?

What is the value of a Humanities Degree? According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (2018), the skills of college graduates that employers value most are written communication, problem-solving, and the ability to work in a team—traits that the School of Arts, Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences helps each student develop and refine. RCC students who pursue a degree in Humanities are part of a socially conscious community of life-long learners graduating with a deep appreciation for the arts, who possess the skills to transfer successfully to their school of choice, launch their career, and prepare to actively engage in a complex world. We provide opportunities for artistic expression, research, internships, and service learning within a supportive and personalized environment.


School of Arts, Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences


Degree Tracks & Course Sequence

Associate of Arts (AA): Humanities

  • English Track
  • General Track
  • History Track

Microcredentials


Real World Ready

Listening to workforce needs

Graduates of Rockland Community College are provided with a clear path to meaningful careers that meet the needs of businesses and industry in the communities we serve. Our students are trained in specific skills that are needed by employers, and guided through a career path that leads directly to workforce opportunities. With affordable tuition, students who begin their college careers at RCC are ready to meet the demands of the real world.

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Student Success

At Rockland Community College, you are provided with a Student Success Team that will help you with your academic journey, career exploration, transfer planning, support service referrals, and more! Your Team includes your Dean, Program Director, Faculty Advisor, Student Success Advisor, Connection Center Counselor, Financial Aid Advisor, Peer Mentors, and if you’re involved in any of these special programs, your Athletics, Honors, TRiO, and Veterans Advisors. During your first semester, you will take an ‘Introduction to the School’ course that will outline the various College offices and departments that can help you on your path.

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Career Outlook

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers often rank skills such as critical thinking and communication—hallmarks of liberal arts training—above technical aptitude as essential for career readiness. “Liberal arts study helps students develop strong foundational competencies,” says Paul Timmins, director of career services for the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. “It gives them tools to succeed beyond their first job.” According to the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU), employers overwhelmingly endorse broad learning and cross-cutting skills as the best preparation for long-term career success. The college learning outcomes they rate as most important include ethical judgment, working effectively in teams, written communication, and the real-world application of skills and knowledge.

Internships

There are a number of internship possibilities for students studying Humanities, including work as writers or editors on Outlook, the student newspaper, as tutors in the Reading and Writing Center, or work as docents and researchers at local museums, among others.

Job Roles

Advertising representative, Events director, Human resources specialist, Journalist, Project manager, Research analyst, Technical writer, and Web developer

Industries

Law, Psychology, Education, or Social Work


Careers

Human Resources Specialists

$89,530 NYS Average
National Average $76,060 annually

Technical Writers

$94,020 NYS Average
National Average $86,620 annually

Social Science Research Assistants

$63,790 NYS Average
National Average $62,370 annually

Employment and wage data by occupation are based on the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, which collects information from approximately 51,000 businesses. bls.gov

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Rockland Community College, State University of New York, offers a safe, supportive learning environment for thousands of students from diverse backgrounds. RCC has become the “first choice” for parents and students. Thanks to our affordable tuition, students can save $100,000 on a college education by starting at RCC and transferring to outstanding four-year colleges.