Rochester Institute of Technology

What you'll study

The General Studies and Humanities track emphasises breadth across literature, history, philosophy, languages, cultural studies and the arts while allowing students to concentrate in particular areas of interest. The curriculum combines core liberal arts requirements with elective clusters so you can design a pathway that balances theoretical study and applied learning.

• Core humanities and social science courses: introductory and intermediate courses in literature, history, philosophy, ethics, cultural theory and comparative humanities.
• Writing and communication: academic writing, rhetoric, oral communication and courses in media studies to build strong written and verbal presentation skills.
• Methods and research: qualitative and quantitative methods, historiography, research design, digital humanities tools and practicum options for applied research.
• Language and area studies: modern language study and courses on global cultures, which prepare students for work in international contexts.
• Capstone and interdisciplinary projects: a senior seminar, capstone project or practicum that integrates coursework and real-world experience—often culminating in a substantial research project, community-engaged project or portfolio.
• Electives and concentrations: flexible elective space to pursue complementary areas such as museum studies, creative writing, digital media, public policy or business fundamentals.

Programme structure

Students typically complete general education requirements alongside a set of major courses and elective clusters. The degree encourages experiential components such as internships, community-based learning and RITs cooperative education opportunities that connect classroom learning with professional experience.

Entry requirements

Admission is through Rochester Institute of Technology's undergraduate admissions process. Typical requirements include a recognised secondary school diploma, academic transcripts, and evidence of college-preparatory coursework in humanities and English. Applicants whose first language is not English will need to demonstrate English proficiency through an approved test or equivalent documentation. RIT considers the whole application, including recommendation letters, a personal statement, and any relevant work or extracurricular experience; some applicants may strengthen their application with a writing sample or portfolio of humanities-related work.

Transfer applicants are evaluated on college transcripts and credits; placement into advanced courses may depend on previous coursework and faculty review.

Career prospects

Graduates with a liberal arts and humanities background move into a wide range of roles where critical thinking, communication and cultural literacy are valued. Common career paths include:

• Communications, public relations and content development
• Publishing, editing and digital media
• Museum, heritage and cultural organisations
• Non-profit and community engagement roles
• Public policy, government and advocacy
• Education and academic support roles
• Business roles that value analytical writing, project management and cross-cultural awareness

Many graduates also pursue further study in disciplines such as law, education, library and information science, public administration or masters programmes in humanities-related fields. Practical experience gained through internships, co-op placements and capstone projects enhances employability and helps students clarify career goals.

Why study at Rochester Institute of Technology

RIT provides an interdisciplinary environment with strong connections between liberal arts and applied fields. The university emphasises experiential learning: students can take advantage of cooperative education, internship networks, community partnerships and project-based capstones to gain workplace experience while studying.

RIT's campus resources—specialist libraries, digital humanities facilities, museums and cultural centres—support research and creative work in the humanities. Small class sizes in upper-level courses allow close faculty mentorship and opportunities for collaborative research. Additionally, RIT's career services and industry connections help translate humanities skills into professional pathways across the region and globally.