Courses & Development

In recent years, there’s been an emphasis on practical majors like science, technology, math, and business management, and less on more theoretical, creative majors like the humanities. However, these courses are required for most four-year degrees and hold a lot of value in any field.

From communication and writing skills to critical thinking and empathy, find out the benefits of humanities courses as part of your degree program.

What Is Humanities in College?

Humanities in college refers to courses that focus on the study of human culture, thought, and expression. This discipline explores subjects like philosophy, history, literature, art, and languages, teaching not only the subjects themselves but honing critical thinking, cultural awareness, and communication skills.

The benefits of humanities courses are far reaching. They can help you develop analytical abilities and empathy while navigating the complexities of the collective human experience, which could serve you in both your academic and professional careers.

What Courses Are Considered Humanities? 

Common Categories of Humanities Courses

There are several categories that fall under the humanities umbrella, including:

• Literature and language: Courses like English literature, creative writing, and foreign language explore linguistics, storytelling, and cultural narratives.

• Philosophy and ethics: These courses explore the nature of existence, human values, and moral reasoning, which can inform later ethics courses specific to your degree and inspire empathy. 

• History and cultural studies: These courses examine historical events, cultural dynamics, and societal changes that encourage critical thought and proper research techniques.

• Art and music: These courses explore visual arts, performing arts, and music that provide valuable insights into human creativity and aesthetic appreciation.

• Religious studies: These courses delve into global religious traditions to help you understand belief systems and how they influence cultures.

You may be wondering why you have to take gen ed courses – especially the ones unrelated to your degree – but they’re more important than you may realize. These foundational classes are designed to provide a well-rounded education and prepare you for advanced coursework. 

College is an exciting time to explore your interests, engage your intellectual passion, and build the foundation for your future career. But when it comes time to choose courses, you may find that you have a lot of introductory courses to get out of the way before you dive into the “fun” stuff for your major. 

What Are Gen Ed Courses? 

Gen ed courses are the core classes required by colleges and universities to provide students with a broad base of knowledge. These courses cover a wide range of subjects that can strengthen soft skills, improve critical thinking, and help students develop good study skills. 

Here are some common subjects covered in gen ed courses: 

• Natural sciences like biology, chemistry, and environmental science 
• Humanities like the arts, literature, and philosophy 
• Social sciences like psychology, sociology, and economics 
• Mathematics like statistics and college algebra 
• Communications and writing 

Why Do Gen Ed Courses Matter? 

Gen ed courses are a crucial part of developing essential skills that will serve you throughout your academic and professional career. Here are some reasons gen ed courses are included in the curriculum: 

• Building a strong academic foundation: Gen ed courses can help to develop skills that are applicable to future courses, no matter the major, and your future career, such as critical thinking and communication. 
• Broadening your knowledge: Gen ed courses expose you to different perspectives and disciplines, nurturing intellectual curiosity and a deeper understanding of the world. 
• Gaining transferable skills: Gen ed courses can hone soft skills like adaptability, problem solving, and written and oral communication, which are valued among job candidates. 
• Promoting lifelong learning: By encouraging you to explore subjects outside of your chosen major, gen ed courses may cultivate a desire for continuous learning and intellectual curiosity. 

From music to electrical engineering to medicine, math is a critical component of many college majors. Even the arts and humanities require some math-focused general education requirements. If you’re not a natural at math, it can feel intimidating. 

There’s no need to panic. With the right resources and strategies, you can have an enriching experience in your college-level math courses. Find out what makes math different in college, the types of courses available, and tips to succeed in college-level math.  

What Are College-Level Math Courses? 

College-level math courses are designed to develop advanced mathematical and analytical skills, as well as critical thinking. These courses are often a foundation for degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, business, and more. They are a bit different from high school math in their depth, pace, and application, however. 

Types of College-Level Math Courses 

There are many college-level math courses that you may need to take as part of your degree requirements. Some of these include: 

• College Algebra: This course focuses on equations, functions, inequalities, and their applications. It’s a foundation for many advanced math courses. 
• Pre-Calculus: This course prepares you for calculus with advanced algebra, trigonometry, and introductory analytical geometry. 
• Differential Equations: This course focuses on solving equations involving derivatives, which is relevant to physics and engineering fields. 
• Calculus: This course explores limits, derivatives, integrals, and their practical uses. 
• Statistics: This course is an introduction to data analysis, probability, and statistical reasoning. 
• Linear Algebra: This course builds on College Algebra with vector spaces, matrices, and linear transformations. 
• Discrete Math: This course covers logic, set theory, and combinatorics, which is especially important for computer science majors. 
• Probability Theory: This course covers the mathematical principles of probability, essential for advanced statistics and actuarial sciences. 
• Applied Mathematics: This course focuses on mathematical methods and their applications in real-world scenarios, such as physics and engineering. 
• Abstract Algebra: This course studies algebraic structures like groups, rings, and fields for advanced mathematics fields. 
• Mathematical Modeling: This course covers how to create models to solve real-world problems in various disciplines. 
• Trigonometry: This course examines relationships between angles and lengths in triangles. 
• Financial Mathematics: This course covers mathematics techniques for finance, such as annuities, interest rates, and risk analysis. 
• Biostatistics: This course focuses on statistical methods used in biological and health sciences. 

The rise of online education has changed the way students and professionals approach learning offering unrivaled flexibility and accessibility. If you’re interested in exploring the world of business, online business courses can offer a way to master critical skills for success. 

Learn the essentials of taking business classes online, the types of courses available, the benefits for all career paths, and some tips for success. 

Why Take Business Classes? 

Business courses aren’t limited to budding entrepreneurs and aspiring executives – they offer skills that can apply to various fields. Here’s why you should consider enrolling in business courses: 

Enhanced Communication Skills 

Business courses cultivate strong professional communication skills through dedicated coursework in business writing and communication. You’ll learn to articulate your ideas clearly in emails, presentations, and negotiations, which apply to virtually every career path – from the job interview onward. 

Strategic Thinking and Persuasion 

Business courses teach strategic business skills, including how to present ideas persuasively and build a strong case for your viewpoints. This can apply to your job role whether you’re selling products, influencing decision-makers, or pitching yourself as the top candidate for a coveted position. 

Financial Literacy 

Finance courses are often included in business curricula to teach you how businesses operate on the financial end. From developing budgets to understanding profit-and-loss statements for large corporations, these insights can help in both your personal and professional lives. 

Public speaking is a valuable skill that can transcend all aspects of life, from personal interactions to professional responsibilities. From delivering a presentation at work, sharing ideas in a meeting, or addressing a group in your community, the ability to communicate effectively can impact your success. 

While public speaking can be anxiety-inducing for many people, it’s a crucial part of your educational experience and professional skill set. Find out more about the benefits of public speaking courses, why it’s important, and some tips to overcome performance anxiety. 

What Do You Do in a Public Speaking Course? 

Public speaking courses typically cover several topics, including: 

• Understanding your audience and learning to tailor your message to resonate with different groups 
• Structuring your speech to organize your thoughts and present them clearly 
• Mastering body language, vocal cues, and pacing to enhance your speech delivery 
• Using slides, props, and other visual aids to support and strengthen your message 
• Engaging in practice speeches to gain constructive criticism from peers and refine your skills 

Why Is Public Speaking Important? 

Public speaking skills are universally applicable to every job and field, from business to education to healthcare. Being able to articulate your thoughts clearly and persuasively can enhance your career prospects and help you build relationships, both personally and professionally. 

Whether you’re leading a team at work, negotiating a deal, or engaging in conversation with colleagues or friends, strong public speaking skills can help you express yourself confidently. 

Information technology (IT) is an integral part of our daily lives, particularly in the workplace. Advancements in technology are occurring at a rapid pace, and the demand for tech-savvy professionals is rising along with it. 

But you don’t have to work in a tech field to benefit from IT education. Incorporating IT college courses into your curriculum can have incredible advantages in not only your future career but your personal life, providing foundational tech knowledge, enhancing your career prospects, and offering valuable job skills. 

1. Comprehensive Understanding of IT Fundamentals 

Enrolling in information technology classes in college can give you a robust foundation in the essential principles of IT. These courses often cover a range of topics, including computer systems, networking, cybersecurity, and programming, to introduce you to the core concepts and tools that are vital to the tech field. 

For example, a course like Intro to IT will teach you about operating systems, basic coding, and database management. This knowledge may equip you with the skills necessary to tackle more advanced topics and specialized areas later in your education. 

In addition, a solid grasp of IT fundamentals benefits you far beyond the classroom. These core principles serve as a basis for lifelong learning, teaching you to embrace and adapt to change. Whether you pursue a career in technology or not, understanding the basics of IT can allow you to collaborate more effectively with tech teams, understand data-driven decision-making, and leverage technology to improve your work.   

2. Hands-On Experience and Practical Skills 

One of the key aspects of information technology courses in college is the emphasis on hands-on learning opportunities. Practical experiences are crucial to an IT curriculum, allowing you to apply the theoretical concepts in real-world contexts. 

You may have labs, workshops, or project-based assignments that simulate real-world IT scenarios, such as working with servers or software applications. IT courses also involve collaborative projects that encourage you to solve problems as part of a team, which can apply to any role – tech or otherwise. 

This hands-on approach can build skills that are necessary to navigate real-world challenges, regardless of industry. You learn not just the “how” but the “why” behind IT processes and technologies. For example, a course in cybersecurity will teach you real-world cybersecurity best practices, which you can use to identify vulnerabilities in your employee network in your future job. 

Project management is a crucial part of virtually every organization, no matter the industry. Skillful project management is a big part of what allows organizations to run like a well-oiled machine, so having project management skills can be an asset to your career. 

But that’s not all. There are plenty of other reasons to study project management, even if you have a different career path ahead of you. 

What Is Project Management? 

Project management is the use of specific knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to deliver something of value to people. This may be software for business processes, buildings or renovations, disaster relief, expansions into new business markets, and more. 

This structured approach to key project objectives ensures positive outcomes, and it takes project managers to do it. Project managers oversee the timeline, milestones, task allocation, resource allocation, and more. 

Reason 1: Enhanced Opportunities for Professional Growth 

Learning project management may broaden your career horizons by enabling you to develop skills that are in high demand. Organizations are increasingly prioritizing efficient project execution, so a candidate with project management skills could stand out in a competitive job market. 

Many industries need skilled project managers to lead initiatives, manage resources, and ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. This is an opportunity for you, whether you’re entering the job market or looking to upskill and move up in your current field. 

For example, product managers need project management skills to lead product development from conception to launch and coordinate across various teams and stakeholders. IT managers use project management methodologies to manage software development projects and technology initiatives.   

The workplace is vastly different than it used to be. Teams may be in office, in the field, working remotely, or on a hybrid schedule – sometimes working alongside people on the other side of the globe. 

In our increasingly interconnected yet geographically distributed world, effective communication skills are more crucial than ever. We need a wide range of communication skills for our professional and personal interactions to convey ideas clearly, persuade, and ultimately, impact success. 

Communications courses are part of the general education requirements for many degrees, but why do they matter? Find out why communication courses are important for virtually every industry. 

Why Are Communication Courses Important? 

Wondering why communication courses matter? Here are some benefits in detail: 

Relevant to Every Industry 

Communications courses, like many gen ed courses, are more than just “filler” in your pursuit of a degree. They’re foundational to every field and industry, from healthcare to technology. The ability to articulate your thoughts, share information, and build interpersonal relationships is just as important for your success as any job-specific training and skills. 

Learning to Communicate 

Though it may seem obvious, communication courses teach essential skills like writing, interviewing, and planning. Mastering these skills will make you more effective in any role and help you excel in your career. 

Public Speaking 

Many people fear public speaking, hindering their work performance and confidence. Public speaking courses empower you to present confidently in front of an audience, a skill that’s invaluable in professional settings. 

Collaborating and Working as Part of a Team 

Teams can’t function effectively without communication. Most jobs require some element of teamwork, and courses that focus on collaboration prepare you to work well with others, fostering a productive work environment. 

Improving Online Presence 

Many industries require some degree of communication in online environments, whether it’s social media, email, or intranets. Communication courses not only help you communicate with remote and hybrid teams but enhance your online presence and brand. 

If you’re an aspiring college student and preparing for your first year of higher education, you may be stressing over a few courses. For many students, those courses are mathematics. 

The idea of taking a college-level math course – especially if you struggled with math in high school – can be daunting. You may be wondering what math courses are required in college, how to get better at math, and what tips you may need to ensure you survive college math. 

Whether you’re thinking about your gen ed math requirements or considering a math-heavy major, here are some tips for how to study math effectively to set yourself up to succeed. 

Types of Math Courses 

No matter your major, you’ll probably be required to take some entry-level math courses in college. If you plan on majoring in something that requires more advanced math classes, these entry-level courses are a stepping stone to more challenging concepts. 

Though the specific courses can vary from school to school, here are the general types of math courses at the college level: 

• Algebra I: Algebra is a branch of mathematics that studies algebraic equations. Though many students take algebra in high school, college algebra is more advanced. 
• Algebra II: Algebra II expands on the concepts from Algebra I and introduces more complex topics to prepare for high-level courses. 
• Trigonometry: Trigonometry is a branch of math that deals with the relationships between the sides and angles of triangles. 
• Geometry: Geometry is a branch of math that deals with the properties of space, such as the distance, shape, and size of figures. 
• Precalculus: Precalculus encompasses the courses that prepare for the study of calculus, such as algebra and geometry. 
• Calculus: Calculus is a branch of math that deals with the rates of change and introduces abstract thought necessary for higher-level math and science courses. 

More advanced math courses, such as combinatorics and topology, are reserved for math and some tech-focused majors. However, some majors will require more math courses as gen eds to prepare you for degree-specific courses, such as the hard sciences, accounting, and data science. 

Information technology (IT) is essential to virtually every industry, including government, healthcare, finance, retail, law, education, and media and entertainment. And as emerging technologies continue to evolve with new industry applications, the demand for IT professionals will grow along with them. 

Whether you’re considering IT as a career or interested in taking some courses to explore your interests, there are numerous benefits to learning information technology. 

What Is Information Technology? 

Information technology is a set of related fields that includes computer systems, programming languages, software, data, and information processing. 

What do you learn in information technology? Depending on the specific course or specialty, you may learn: 

• Technical theory 
• Networking 
• Programming 
• Computer hardware and software 
• Systems analysis 
• Database management 
• Computer circuitry 
• Website development 
• IT management 

While you may not think of accounting beyond general education courses, it’s not just for future accountants. Learning the basics of accounting is crucial for entrepreneurs and business leaders – not to mention the benefits for your personal finances. 

Find out why any professional can benefit from understanding accounting in the college experience. 

What Is Accounting? 

Accounting is the process of recording financial transactions in a business. This includes summarizing, analyzing, and reporting transactions to regulators, tax collectors, and oversight agencies. The statements used in accounting offer a summary of a company’s operation, financial health, and cash flow. 

What do you learn in accounting? There are different types of accounting that deal with specific information, including: 

• Financial accounting: This is the process used to generate financial statements that occur during an accounting period, including income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets. 
• Managerial accounting: This is similar to financial accounting, but managerial accounting uses the information in different ways. Monthly and quarterly reports are used to make decisions about business operations. 
• Cost accounting: Like managerial accounting, cost accounting is used to make decisions, but the focus is on the costs of producing products or services and determining pricing. 
• Tax accounting: Tax accounting adheres to the rules set at the federal, state, and local level based on the returns filed. Tax accountants must comply with reporting rules while minimizing the company’s tax liability. 

Naturally, accountants need a strong foundation of accounting skills to work in the field, but these are critical skills to all business professionals. Whether you want to start your own business, work in a high-level leadership position, or manage your personal finances effectively, accounting courses offer numerous benefits. 

Business is a popular college major for many students – and for good reason. Business management and business administration degrees help to prepare students for management positions across various industries. 

Whether you’re pursuing a degree in business, looking into a business minor, or exploring some business courses for your general education requirements, the coursework often covers management, accounting, finance, marketing, and human resources. 

Common Business Courses 

Business management and business administration are broad majors with a lot of flexibility and several different specializations. The courses can vary from school to school, but they often include introductory courses that cover the basics of business theory and practice. 

1. Accounting 

Accounting focuses on the financial data in a business and helps to inform business decisions. Accounting courses are crucial to understand principles and tools, such as cash flow and forecasting, and prepare accounting statements like income statements and balance sheets. 

2. Economics 

Money is a key factor in any business. Business majors must understand the large- and small-scale economic forces that affect business in the real world. Introductory economics courses cover these concepts, including how consumers make decisions, monetary policy, the global economy, and business cycles. 

Language courses have been part of high school and some college curricula for decades, but they’ve never been more valuable in the job market. Fluency in multiple languages is a highly sought skill for job candidates across a variety of careers, including government positions, nursing, teaching, finance, and more. 

Learning a new language can certainly help your career, but there’s a lot more to gain from becoming multilingual. Discover the benefits of learning a new language and the unique advantages of taking online college language courses. 

Why Take Language Courses? 

In an increasingly globalized business world, learning a second language is a valuable skill that could impress employers, but there are additional benefits just for you. 

Brain Stimulation 

Learning a new language can help your gray matter grow, which is the information processing center of your brain. As you take in the complexities of a new language, your brain has to adapt and develop. Just like a muscle, your brain gets stronger and more capable as you challenge it. 

In addition to helping your brain now, acquiring new language skills help to delay cognitive decline and mental aging. According to neurological research, multilingual adults experience the first signs of dementia at a later age than their monolingual counterparts. 

Improved Memory 

As mentioned, challenging your brain to learn new skills keeps it sharp and agile. Learning a new language often pushes your brain in different ways as you familiarize yourself with new grammar and vocabulary rules. You not only have to remember new words, you have to connect them with real-world concepts and use them contextually, improving your memory in the process. 

Anatomy and physiology (A&P) is one of the core courses for a range of health-related fields, including nursing. It’s one of the most important foundational courses to learn the concepts that underpin medicine, human development, and the diagnosis and treatment of disease. 

Still, no matter how passionate they are about nursing, many nursing students are anxious about A&P and its difficulty. Find out what you’ll learn in A&P, what to expect from the course, and how you can maximize your success. 

What Is Anatomy and Physiology? 

Anatomy and physiology are two studies in the life sciences. Anatomy refers to the internal and external structures of the body and how they relate to each other, while physiology refers to the study of how those structures function. 

The anatomy and physiology courses for nursing cover a basic introduction to the broad study of the two disciplines, but they each have branches that cover more advanced and detailed information. 

For example, anatomy includes both gross anatomy, the study of body structures that can be seen without magnification, and microscopic anatomy or histology, which covers the study of the smallest structures of the body. Physiology has branches as well, including cell physiology, endocrinology, exercise physiology, and clinical physiology, some of which may be part of your more advanced nursing studies. 

If you think math is hard, you’re not alone. Many people lack confidence in their math abilities. But with Sophia, you have the space and flexibility to grow your math skills on your own terms. Sophia puts you in control of your learning thanks to a self-paced online platform, an innovative teaching approach, and tutoring support in some courses.

No matter what career you pursue, you’ll use math more than you might expect. Math can also help you with situations in your own life—like understanding how a bank account earns interest or interpreting the statistics of your favorite sports team. Plus, math courses are a common bachelor’s degree requirement. That’s why Sophia offers a range of college-level math courses to build your skills and help you earn general education credits.

Improve your writing, speaking, researching and editing skills with Sophia’s online English and communications courses. They’re designed to let you learn at your own pace – anytime, anywhere.  

On average, Sophia students take 33 days to complete an English and communications course. 

Even if you are not an English major, you may still need to take a couple English and communications courses to meet common general education requirements. Plus, you'll be honing on key writing and communications skills that can help you in your personal and professional life.  

Whether you’re seeking online courses for your business degree or hoping to knock out a gen ed, Sophia’s online business courses can help save you time and money.

Here’s what you can expect when you choose to take a business course with Sophia: 

Learn the Ins and Outs of Business at Your Own Pace

Sophia’s online business courses are self-paced, which means you can complete them in the time that is most convenient for you. Some students prefer a slow and steady approach, while others appreciate the opportunity to work through lessons more quickly if they are already familiar with the concepts.

On average, Sophia students take 26 days to complete a business course. 

Not a business major? Chances are you’ll still need to take a few business courses. Many other fields of study incorporate aspects of business learning, including marketing, communications, economics, political science, human resources management, and entrepreneurship. Plus business courses may be a common general education requirement.

Complete Your Business Courses at an Affordable Rate

Sophia doesn’t charge you per course. Instead, we offer a flexible subscription fee of $99 per month that will grant you access to all of our ACE recommended online business courses. You can take up to two courses at a time and work your way through as many as your schedule allows each month. 

So, how does this compare to the cost of taking business courses through your accredited college or university? While tuition costs vary based on the state, institution type, and whether you’re billed in-state or out-of-state tuition, the Education Data Initiative has done a lot of research on the average cost per credit hour at two- and four-year institutions. Check out their latest report or review your school’s tuition fees for a cost analysis. And don’t forget to factor in cost savings on things like books and supplies, room and board, and student loan interest rates.