Emory University

What you'll study

Coursework emphasises close reading, argumentation, historical perspective and qualitative research methods. Typical subject areas and module examples include:

• Philosophy: ethics, epistemology, political philosophy and courses in contemporary theory.
• History: regional and thematic surveys, historiography and seminars on social, cultural and intellectual history.
• Literature and Languages: textual analysis, world literatures, creative writing and language study to develop interpretive and communication skills.
• Art, Music and Visual Culture: art history, criticism and courses that link visual culture to social and political contexts.
• Religious and Cultural Studies: courses examining belief systems, identities and intercultural encounters.
• Digital Humanities and Research Methods: training in archival research, digital tools for textual analysis and project-based seminars culminating in a research paper or creative capstone.

Students frequently take first-year seminars, upper-level seminars with small enrolments, and interdisciplinary electives. Opportunities for independent study, faculty-supervised research and internships complement classroom learning.

Entry requirements

Admission is to Emory University and its College of Arts and Sciences; applicants should submit a complete Common Application or Coalition Application with a personal statement and high-school transcript. Emory evaluates academic preparation, extracurricular engagement and recommendations. Standardised test submission policies may be optional or flexible—check the university’s admissions guidance for current practice. Strong applicants typically demonstrate readiness for rigorous reading and writing, evidence of curiosity across disciplines, and strong recommendations from teachers familiar with their academic work.

Career prospects

A humanities-focused liberal-arts degree prepares graduates for a wide range of careers that value critical thinking, communication and analysis. Common paths include:

• Education, including secondary teaching and university graduate study leading to academic careers.
• Public service and non-profit work, including policy, programme development and community engagement roles.
• Publishing, journalism, communications and content strategy.
• Work in cultural institutions such as museums, libraries and archives.
• Professional schools and careers in law, business or public health, often following graduate or professional degrees.
• Creative industries including writing, editing, arts management and media production.

Alumni often leverage Emory’s career services, internship programmes and Atlanta connections to transition into these fields or to continue with postgraduate study.

Why study at Emory University

Emory combines a residential liberal-arts college environment with the resources of a major research university. Students benefit from small seminars, active faculty mentorship and research opportunities through centres such as the Institute for the Liberal Arts. The university’s library collections and special collections support humanities research, while Emory’s location in Atlanta offers internship and cultural-placement possibilities with museums, media organisations, non-profits and legal and policy institutions. Additional features include study-abroad programmes, undergraduate research funding and a network of academic advising designed to help students shape interdisciplinary programmes that match their aspirations.