SHS HUMSS Strand Guide: Programs and College Pathway

SHS HUMSS Strand Guide: Programs and College Pathway

HUMSS (Humanities and Social Sciences) is the senior high school strand built around reading, writing, society and ideas. It lines up with communication, social science, education and pre-law programs.

A note on the new SHS curriculum. DepEd is phasing out the strands. Under DepEd Memorandum No. 012, s. 2026, students entering Grade 11 from school year 2026–2027 follow the Strengthened SHS Curriculum, which has two tracks (Academic and Technical-Professional, or TechPro) with elective clusters instead of ABM, STEM, HUMSS and GAS. Most Grade 12 students in 2026–2027 finish under the old strands (891 pilot schools switched a year earlier). This guide is for HUMSS students and graduates. If you're entering Grade 11 now, the closest match is the Academic track's Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities electives.

What HUMSS covers

HUMSS's specialized subjects include:

• Creative Writing and Creative Nonfiction
• Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems
• Trends, Networks and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century
• Philippine Politics and Governance
• Community Engagement, Solidarity and Citizenship
• Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences
• Disciplines and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences

You also take the core subjects every strand takes: English, Filipino, math, science, social science and PE. The focus is reading, writing and analysis.

College programs that fit HUMSS

Communication and media

• AB or BA Communication
• AB Journalism
• BA Broadcasting

Political science and government

• AB Political Science (a common pre-law choice)
• AB International Studies
• Bachelor of Public Administration

Social sciences

• AB Sociology
• AB or BS Psychology
• AB Anthropology
• AB History

Pre-law

• AB Political Science
• AB Philosophy
• BS Legal Management
• Other AB programs also work; check the admission rules of the law schools you're considering

Education

• Bachelor of Secondary Education, majoring in English, Filipino or Social Studies

Liberal arts

• AB English or AB Literature
• AB Filipino
• AB Linguistics
• AB Philosophy

Can HUMSS students take STEM programs?

Yes. Under CHED Memorandum Order No. 105, s. 2017, SHS graduates from any strand can be admitted to any college program. A university can, however, require bridging subjects for students whose strand doesn't match the program, most often for engineering and science courses. If you're aiming at one of these:

• Check each university's bridging rules, since they differ from school to school
• Review algebra, geometry and basic science on your own before college starts

Non-STEM students can apply for the DOST-SEI undergraduate scholarship if they're in the top 5% of their class. The exam has a full science part and a full math part, so plan serious review if you go for it.

College entrance tests: strengths and gaps

HUMSS students often have a head start on:

• UPCAT Language Proficiency and Reading Comprehension, both in English and Filipino
• ACET English and the essay; Ateneo also reads your application essay
• USTET English
• Any reading-heavy section under time pressure

Plan extra review for:

• Math. The UPCAT, ACET and USTET all have a math section, and HUMSS students take only the core math subjects after Grade 10.
• Science. The UPCAT and USTET both have a science section.

When HUMSS is the right choice

• You're confident in reading, writing and speaking
• You want communication, political science, pre-law, education or the liberal arts
• You have a clear interest in the humanities or social sciences
• You write well, which helps with essays on tests like the ACET

When HUMSS might not fit

• You want engineering, medicine or computer science (STEM fits better)
• You want accountancy or business (ABM fits better)
• You're unsure of your direction (GAS keeps more options open)

Planning your entrance tests

Take tests that play to your strengths, plus at least one affordable option:

• UPCAT: no application fee for Filipino citizens; strong verbal subtests in English and Filipino
• ACET: an essay plus math, English, general knowledge and abstract reasoning; no Filipino section
• USTET: Mental Ability, English, Mathematics and Science; ₱600 for Filipino applicants from local schools
• DLSU's DCAT: DLSU doesn't publish a breakdown; applications for AY 2027–28 run from July 15 to September 30, 2026
• PUPCET: no payment step on PUP's official procedure; you need a Grade 11 GWA of at least 82%

Essay practice

The ACET includes a timed essay, and Ateneo also asks for an application essay. Your HUMSS background helps, but timed practice still matters. See the ACET essay guide.

Keep your math going

Even if you're aiming at a non-STEM program, the main entrance tests include math. Keep up:

• Algebra basics
• Basic geometry
• Word problems
• Reading charts and data

Don't write off numbers completely

Some programs that suit HUMSS students still use math. BS Psychology, for example, includes statistics.

Where HUMSS graduates often go

• Media and journalism
• Government and public service
• Law (after a bachelor's degree and law school)
• Teaching, academia and research
• Communication and marketing
• NGOs and civil society
• Foreign service

The pre-law path

For students thinking about law:

1. SHS (HUMSS or any strand)
2. A bachelor's degree, often in Political Science, History, Philosophy, Legal Management or Communication
3. Law school, usually four years for a JD or LLB; each law school sets its own admission requirements
4. The Bar exam

Where Super Tutor fits

Super Tutor has reviewers for the main college entrance tests: UPCAT (with full mock exams), ACET, DLSU's DCAT, USTET, PUPCET, the FEU and CEU entrance exams, MSU-SASE, and the DOST-SEI scholarship exam. See every exam Super Tutor covers or start free — 5-day trial, no card needed.

What to read next

• SHS strand vs college course
• SHS GAS strand guide
• ACET essay guide