Worcester Polytechnic Institute

What you'll study

The Humanities & Arts BS integrates courses in literature, history, philosophy, rhetoric, and cultural studies with studio and media practice in areas such as visual art, music, theatre, digital media and design. Students build a core foundation in critical theory, research methods and ethical reasoning, then choose concentrations or elective clusters to develop specialised skills—for example, digital storytelling, visual communication, performance studies, or museum and heritage interpretation.

• Core humanities: courses in literary analysis, contemporary cultural theory, history of ideas, ethics, and rhetoric and composition.
• Media and practice: studio courses in drawing, graphic design, audio/video production, interactive media, and performance.
• Methods and research: qualitative research methods, archival work, digital humanities tools, and courses in cultural data analysis.
• Project work: WPI’s curriculum includes project-based learning through the Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) and a Major Qualifying Project (MQP), where students undertake collaborative, problem-focused work that applies humanities and arts perspectives to real-world challenges.
• Capstone and portfolio: the programme culminates in a capstone project or portfolio demonstrating analytical skills and creative production, suitable for employment or graduate study.

Typical structure

Students usually complete broad liberal-arts requirements and introductory studio or media courses in the first two years, undertake an IQP to work on an interdisciplinary community or research project, and focus on advanced electives and the MQP in the final year. Many students also take technical electives or minors to complement arts and humanities study (e.g. computer science, psychology, business).

Entry requirements

Admission to WPI’s undergraduate programmes is competitive and evaluated holistically. Typical expectations include a strong secondary-school record with particular strength in English and humanities coursework. Applicants may be asked for the following as part of a complete application:

• Secondary-school diploma or equivalent and transcripts showing solid academic preparation in English and social studies;
• A personal statement or essay that describes intellectual interests and reasons for pursuing humanities and arts at WPI;
• Letters of recommendation that can speak to academic potential, creativity, or research aptitude;
• For applicants emphasising studio or media concentrations, a portfolio of creative work or links to digital media is strongly recommended;
• International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through recognised tests or other approved means where applicable.

Standardised testing policies and specific GPA thresholds can vary; applicants should consult WPI’s admissions guidance for current expectations and any programme-specific requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Humanities & Arts BS are prepared for careers that require strong communication, critical thinking and creative problem-solving. Because WPI emphasises applied projects and interdisciplinary work, alumni often move into roles that bridge technology, design and culture.

• Common career paths: content strategy, technical and creative writing, user experience (UX) research and design, digital media production, marketing and communications, museum and arts administration, community and public engagement roles.
• Other opportunities: education, cultural policy, publishing, theatre and performance production, curatorial work, and roles in non-profit or civic organisations.
• Further study: many graduates pursue master’s degrees in fields such as digital humanities, museum studies, media arts, education, law, or business, and some continue to PhD or MFA programmes.

Why study at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

WPI’s Humanities & Arts BS is distinctive for pairing rigorous humanistic study with the Institute’s hallmark project-based pedagogy. Students benefit from hands-on projects (IQP and MQP) that place humanities and arts inquiry in organisational, technological and community contexts. The programme offers access to well-equipped studios, digital media labs, performance spaces and archives, enabling students to produce professional-level creative work.

WPI’s interdisciplinary culture encourages collaboration with engineering, sciences and business students, giving humanities and arts majors frequent opportunities to apply cultural and communicative expertise to technological problems. Small class sizes, faculty who are active scholars and practitioners, and strong career and project-advising support help students build portfolios and professional networks for diverse career paths.