The Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand is known for immersing its students in the fields of liberal arts and social studies. Graduates of this strand are equipped with holistic communication skills, media literacy, research proficiency, and a deep understanding of cultural dynamics and social behavior. This rich academic background gives them a chance to choose from a wide range of college courses in the Philippines should they wish to pursue higher education.
Read also: Which Academic Strand to Take in SHS, Based on Your Ideal College Course
10 College Courses You Can Take If You're a HUMSS Student:
1. Psychology
With subjects focusing on personal development, sociology, and oral communication, the HUMSS strand is a great prerequisite for a course centered on human behavior and mental processes. For students interesting in pursuing this field, psychology schools like the University of Sto. Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University, and the University of San Carlos are known for their notable programs in psychology. Students may even branch out to related fields such as psychotherapy, market research, criminology, and military science.
2. Education
Apart from being exposed to the fields of culture, society, and politics, HUMSS students are also trained to communicate their ideas effectively. This balance of social awareness and communication skills is a great asset for the future educators who will be shaping the minds of the next generation. The strand’s well-rounded coverage of literature, philosophy, linguistics, and social sciences is meant to equip its students to be critical-thinking bearers of information. Students interested in pursuing this field may look into the programs offered by De La Salle University, University of the Philippines-Diliman, and Assumption College-Makati.
3. Communication Arts
The HUMSS strand is known for its in-depth courses on oral and written communication, both in English and Filipino. Students are taught to communicate their ideas creatively and effectively across various media formats, honing them to excel in a wide variety of communication-oriented careers, such as journalism, public relations, advertising, and law. If Communication Arts is a college path that excites you, many schools such as Miriam College and the University of the Philippines-Diliman offer excellent communication programs.
4. Sociology
With subjects that greatly expand its students’ understanding of society, HUMSS is a great preparatory strand for students who want to further explore Sociology in college. HUMSS students are well-versed in the concepts of community engagement, governance, citizenship, and daily research, guaranteeing them a smooth transition into a college course centered on social work. For those interested in pursuing Sociology, take a look at the courses offered by the University of Sto. Tomas and the University of the Philippines-Diliman, among others.
5. Philosophy
HUMSS has an entire subject dedicated to the philosophy of the human person, and this is further supplemented by subjects that encourage critical thinking. HUMSS students are equipped with a good and stable foundation should they wish to pursue a future in Philosophy, as their prior subjects will have provided them with foundational knowledge on key philosophical concepts while encouraging them to be free thinkers. Those interested in philosophy can explore colleges such as Ateneo de Manila University and the University of San Carlos, which are notable for having “Centers of Excellence” in Philosophy.
6. Foreign Studies
A course that focuses on foreign relations, political science, international languages, and socio-cultural global affairs is a perfect fit for a HUMSS student. Their curriculum is characterized by subjects like governance, world literature, modern culture, and world religions, giving students a good foundation for entering courses oriented towards international studies. Colleges with excellent programs for foreign studies include Far Eastern University and the University of the East.
7. Political Science
Some HUMSS students choose to pursue a degree in political science, a choice greatly supplemented by their strand’s rich coverage of social studies, Philippine politics, governance, and citizenship. HUMSS equips its students to be aware of the current societal issues and political climate of the country, encouraging them to think critically when engaging in politics and governance. If you’re planning to pursue this path in college, check out the programs offered by De La Salle University and the University of the Philippines-Diliman.
8. Literature
Another great course for HUMSS students to consider is Literature, which delves into various subject matter and themes across a wide range of texts and narratives. Aside from honing students’ reading and writing skills, HUMSS also has a subject dedicated to local and world literature, training its students to appreciate the different perspectives offered by these texts. This in turn prepares them for a similarly-oriented college course in the future. Schools like Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University are examples of universities recognized for their quality Literature programs.
9. Theater Arts
HUMSS students are known for being skilled communicators, expressive individuals, and inspired creators. This is largely due to how they’ve been shaped by their strand, which trains them in all forms of communication, exposes them to different kinds of art, and encourages them to express their ideas in their own unique ways. This kind of training is a great prerequisite for a Theater Arts college course, which is largely rooted in performance and creative expression. For those interested in taking up this program in the future, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and Polytechnic University of the Philippines are a few examples of universities that offer a degree in Performing Arts.
10. Economics
The HUMSS strand educates its students in General Mathematics, along with Statistics and Probability. This is further supplemented by a deeper understanding of social dynamics, culture, modern trends, and networks. This balanced knowledge is perfect for those interested in a future in Economics, which is rooted in strategic analysis of markets and managing resources among groups of people. If this is something you feel like pursuing, you can look into the programs offered by the University of Asia & the Pacific and De La Salle University.
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