Dartmouth University

What you'll study

This programme emphasises breadth and intellectual flexibility. Core work covers historical and contemporary approaches to human culture, language, literature, philosophy, and the arts, combined with social-science methods and quantitative reasoning where relevant. Students typically take a mixture of introductory surveys and advanced seminars, with examples of typical modules including:

• Foundations in Critical Inquiry: courses in academic writing, research methods, and argumentation.
• Humanities Surveys: world literature, cultural history, philosophy, religious studies, and the history of art.
• Interdisciplinary Seminars: thematic seminars that cross traditional boundaries (e.g., memory and identity, technology and society, visual culture).
• Language Study: sustained work in at least one foreign language to intermediate or advanced levels.
• Quantitative and Social-Science Skills: introductory statistics, social-science research methods, or data literacy courses to support empirical work.
• Capstone or Thesis Options: a senior project, practicum or research thesis that synthesises learning and demonstrates independent research and communication skills.

The programme encourages elective choices across departments, experiential learning such as internships or community-based projects, and opportunities to take advanced courses in related departments (e.g., anthropology, history, theatre, media studies). Students are supported to tailor study plans that reflect their intellectual interests and career aims.

Entry requirements

Entry is competitive and based on a holistic review of each applicant's academic and personal qualifications. Typical expectations include:

• Completion of a high-school qualification or equivalent with strong academic performance across a range of subjects.
• Evidence of readiness for college-level work in humanities and general education subjects; successful applicants usually have taken advanced or honours courses where available (for example, A-levels, IB, APs or national equivalents).
• Submission of academic transcripts and at least one academic recommendation that speaks to the applicant's critical reading and writing abilities.
• A personal statement or essay reflecting intellectual curiosity, reasons for choosing a broad liberal-arts programme, and examples of independent work or sustained interests.
• Some applicants may be asked for a supplementary sample of written work or a portfolio for practice-based specialisms (such as creative writing or studio arts).
• Standardised tests may be optional depending on the admissions policy; check the institution's admissions guidance for the current position.

International applicants should demonstrate proficiency in English through recognised language qualifications if their prior education was not in English, and provide certified academic records with any required translations.

Career prospects

Graduates from a liberal-arts and humanities general-studies programme build transferable skills prized across many sectors: analytical reasoning, clear written and oral communication, research and problem-solving, and interdisciplinary thinking. Common career paths include:

• Public and private sector roles in policy, administration and management.
• Media, publishing, communications, marketing and public relations.
• Education and youth-focused organisations, including postgraduate teacher training pathways.
• Law, government and non-governmental organisations, often following professional or postgraduate qualifications.
• Arts, cultural institutions and heritage organisations, including curatorial and programme roles.
• Business and consultancy roles that value critical thinking and persuasive communication; many graduates also pursue MBAs or other professional qualifications.

Many students use the undergraduate experience as preparation for further study (master’s or doctoral programmes) in humanities fields, social sciences, law, or professional schools. Career services and alumni networks typically support internships, placements and employer engagement to help students transition into work.

Why study at Dartmouth University

Dartmouth University offers a learning environment that emphasises close faculty-student interaction, small seminars and opportunities for independent research and mentorship. The curriculum’s flexibility enables students to combine disciplinary depth with interdisciplinary breadth and to pursue experiential learning through internships, community engagement and study-abroad options.

Students benefit from personalised academic advising, writing and research support, and extracurricular programmes that complement classroom study—such as student-run publications, theatre and arts groups, and societies focused on public debate and civic engagement. The combination of a broad liberal-arts education and access to institutional resources prepares graduates to adapt to changing career landscapes and to pursue advanced study or professional training.