Seattle University

What you'll study

The General Studies and Humanities pathway emphasises interdisciplinary study across literature, history, philosophy, languages, cultural studies and the arts. Core work develops skills in critical reading, academic writing, research methods and ethical reasoning, while elective strands allow concentration in areas such as comparative literature, digital humanities, religious studies, or public humanities.

• Core seminars in critical thinking, academic writing and research methods to establish a foundation for advanced humanities enquiry.
• Disciplinary modules exploring topics in literature, history, philosophy, visual and performing arts, and languages.
• Interdisciplinary electives connecting humanities perspectives with social science, media studies, or digital practice.
• Capstone or senior project that typically requires a supervised research project, portfolio or public-facing project demonstrating synthesis of learning.
• Experiential components such as internships, community-engaged research, or study abroad options to apply humanities approaches in real-world contexts.

Students often design a concentration or thematic pathway in consultation with an adviser, allowing a balance between breadth and a focused area of expertise.

Entry requirements

Admission to Seattle University generally requires a completed secondary school credential (high school diploma or equivalent). Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong preparation in written English and humanities coursework. Typical application components include transcripts, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation; standardised test submissions may be optional depending on the university's current policies.

• Academic record: Competitive secondary school grades with evidence of coursework in English and humanities or relevant electives.
• Personal statement: An essay describing academic interests, reasons for choosing a liberal arts pathway, and personal or civic engagement.
• Recommendations: One or two referee letters from teachers or mentors who can speak to academic potential and readiness for independent study.
• Transfer applicants: Official college transcripts and a record of collegiate-level coursework; many students transfer credits that align with core or elective requirements.

International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements; additional materials may be requested to assess preparedness for an English-medium, research-oriented programme.

Career prospects

A Bachelor in Liberal Arts and Sciences with a humanities emphasis builds versatile skills valued across sectors: analytical reasoning, persuasive writing, cultural literacy and project design. Graduates find employment in a range of fields or continue to graduate and professional programmes.

• Public and nonprofit sector: programme coordination, community outreach, grant writing and advocacy roles.
• Media and communications: journalism, content strategy, editing, and digital media production.
• Education and cultural institutions: museum education, archives, public history, and secondary teaching (often with additional certification).
• Business and technology: roles in user experience, policy analysis, marketing, and project management where critical thinking and communication are essential.
• Further study: preparatory grounding for graduate study in humanities, law, public affairs, library and information science, or business.

Seattle University's career services and strong local networks in the Seattle region support internship placements and employer connections across cultural organisations, civic institutions and tech companies.

Why study at Seattle University

Seattle University is a Jesuit institution that emphasises rigorous liberal arts education alongside ethical reflection and community engagement. The programme benefits from small class sizes, close faculty mentoring and an interdisciplinary approach that encourages civic responsibility and applied research.

• Urban campus advantages: proximity to a vibrant cultural scene and a wide range of internship and partnership opportunities with museums, NGOs, government agencies and companies based in Seattle.
• Faculty mentorship: opportunities to work closely with faculty on research, public scholarship and capstone projects.
• Focus on social justice: curricular and co-curricular initiatives that connect humanities study to community engagement and ethical leadership.
• Support services: academic advising, writing centres and career resources to help students translate humanities training into careers or graduate study.

Together, these features make the programme well suited to students who want a flexible, intellectually rigorous degree that prepares them for diverse professional pathways and engaged citizenship.