The Human Experience
Being • Learning • Becoming
Welcome
The Department of Public and Applied Humanities (PAH) at The University of Arizona is for people who want their education to matter beyond their diploma. Our graduates do not just imagine a better future; they help create it!
The Applied Humanities major gives students the opportunity to connect the dots across disciplines and infuse their interests into work that puts knowledge into action in their communities and professional industries. The program offers a trandisciplinary degree that combines the approaches and techniques from the humanities with at least one of 11 partner areas of study.
In Applied Humanities courses, students work side-by-side with faculty and community partners on hands-on projects to describe, share, and improve the human experience. We emphasize humanistic themes of curiosity, storytelling, and community-building to help students bring their unique perspective to solving problems that matter to them.
Current societal challenges and entrepreneurial opportunities require talent with intersecting skillsets who can collaborate across disciplines and settings. It is not surprising then that employers across fields and industries are seeking college graduates with the transferable skills that are at the core of the BA in Applied Humanities curriculum. An innovative set of career readiness courses support students in pursuing opportunities across community and industry setting is required.
Applied Humanities graduates complete their degrees with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to successfully navigate their careers in the ever-changing world of community and work.
Meet Madison
Madison wants to make a difference in the world. She is balancing her career plans with a degree in Applied Humanities/Public Health and Law.
Recent News
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May 22, 2026
Stephanie Springer, Director of Internships and Career Readiness and a Principal Lecturer in the Department of Public and Applied Humanities, has received the Gerald J. Swanson Prize for Teaching Excellence.
The Swanson prize…
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May 22, 2026
Beatrice Dupuy, Professor of French and Public and Applied Humanities, has received the University of Arizona’s Faculty Service Award.
Sponsored by the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and funded through the…
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May 22, 2026
May 14, 2026
Congratulations to the College of Humanities’ Outstanding Senior for Spring 2026, Marisol Marquez Perez!
A first-generation student, Marquez Perez is graduating with a B.A. in Applied Humanities, Public Health…
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Alumni News & Directory
Our majors have gone on to exciting careers around the world in a wide variety of industries.
See what you can do with your degree.
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B.A.
Applied Humanities
2021
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B.A.
Applied Humanities
2023
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B.A.
Applied Humanities
2025