Program Description

The Humanities Certificate is part of a Texas A&M University System-wide initiative funded by a grant from the Teagle Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The certificate is designed to enhance engagement with the humanities across the system campuses, particularly among students in STEM and pre-professional disciplines.  Employers in STEM and professional fields are increasingly interested in job candidates who demonstrate the highly adaptable skills associated with the humanities: critical thinking and creative problem-solving, ethical reasoning and cultural awareness, written and oral communication, and empathy and interpersonal relationship-building.  The Humanities Certificate is designed to cultivate these skills in ways that connect directly to students’ career pathways.  

The first three of the four courses required for the certificate can all be taken as a part of the University Core Curriculum program. Specific sections of Core courses counting towards the certificate will be designated in the course schedule. Students should consult with their academic advisor to ensure the courses for the certificate also meet the requirements of their declared degree or minor program.  

Student Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes for the Humanities Certificate are rooted in the core curriculum principles Critical Thinking, Communication, Social Responsibility, and Personal Responsibility. The certificate designated course sections will encourage students to connect these skills to their own personal goals and experiences.

Critical/Integrative Thinking: Students will apply insights from the humanities (i.e., examinations of human history, culture, language, ethics, and aesthetics) to problems or questions that intersect with other areas of inquiry, including STEM and professional disciplines. (Core Outcome Alignment: Critical Thinking)

Communication: Students will communicate ideas effectively through writing and, where appropriate, through oral communication, visual communication, or creative performance. (Core Outcome Alignment: Communication)

Ethical Reasoning: Students will engage with multiple perspectives in exploring the human dimensions of real-world situations and problems. (Core Outcome Alignment: Personal Responsibility; Critical Thinking)

Cultural Awareness: Students will demonstrate an appreciation for social and cultural diversity while engaging in critical analysis of various forms of literary, artistic, or cultural expression. (Core Outcome Alignment: Social Responsibility; Critical Thinking)