Find your perfect college degree
Are you in search of the ultimate Bachelor’s in History degree program? Higher education doesn’t have to be boring! Read on for the best colleges offering an online learning format option in their history programs.
We also cover the pertinent facts to help you make an informed decision about your future as a history major.
Many people are familiar with George Santayana’s famous adage, “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” which still holds today. Every day, people throughout the world make history.
Historians and museum curators use the past to inform the future regularly. When making arguments in court, even lawyers refer to previous legal precedents.
Every political election, pandemic, scientific breakthrough, or significant event, on a broader scale, alters the present and becomes part of history. History programs are necessary to maintain the integrity of past cultures.
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The Lowdown
Are you a history buff? Many begin their love of history in elementary school. High school teachers have a way of bringing history to life! If you are one of those students that gets excited to learn about the past, earning an online bachelor’s degree in a history program will keep you in-the-know. An online education is very convenient.
As history often predicts the future, your online history degree will provide the knowledge needed to excel in a career choice steeped rich in culture, art history, and social history. Many pursue careers in journalism or teaching. Online history programs are a convenient way to earn your history degree.
The Personal Benefits of Earning a History Degree
Obtaining a history degree provides its own set of advantages. Online students studying history majors are thinkers, researchers, and writers.
They spend their time studying, evaluating, and explaining how institutions, laws, and events came to be, as well as the consequences of those developments while pursuing their degrees.
This academic pursuit has professional implications: “Studying history prepares one for life in a global economy.”
Skills in historical thinking and knowledge of historical documents are in high demand. History students learn to think in context, perceive change across time, wrestle with the complexities of human experience, and distinguish cause and effect.
Empathy, or the ability to comprehend people’s needs, beliefs, and feelings on their terms, is a valuable skill in various disciplines, from medicine to marketing.
History degree students are taught to tell stories. They turn data into something meaningful. History majors develop the following abilities throughout their education and apply them to their chosen careers:
- A systematic and imaginative approach to the study
- Exceptional research abilities
- Skills in critical thinking and social sciences
- Possessing the ability to ask insightful questions
- Excellent communication, writing, and storytelling abilities
- An understanding of culture, anthropology, and modern societies
- Basic knowledge of governments, world religions, and geography
- An understanding of current events-political, social, and more.
- Fact-checking skills
Methodology
With so many online Bachelor of History programs to choose from, students may be unsure how to limit their options to just a handful. While the list of degrees may appear daunting at first, many students employ a process of elimination to narrow down their options.
The focus of your proposed history program is one of the most significant factors to consider. Because History covers such a wide range of eras and topics, each institution has its own set of courses and research interests. Those interested in American studies, for example, should look for programs with instructors who are well-versed in the subject.
Students in a bachelor’s degree in history program should also look at the available concentrations to get a better understanding of the department’s capabilities. Students should also research electives and core curricula in their educational programs.
We looked at several colleges and universities that provided online bachelor’s degrees in History. We whittled down our initial list of schools based on several factors: regional or national accreditation, expert faculty members, the application process, institution or program rankings from at least one major publication, such as US News and World Report, federal financial aid, student services, and more.
Visit our Methodology page for more detailed information on how we ranked our list of the best Bachelor’s degrees in History programs.
Best Online History Bachelor’s Degree Colleges
American Public University System
In its Bachelor of Arts in History curriculum, American Public University equips students to study various historical periods by laying the foundations of critical reasoning and extensive research.
The liberal arts degree requires 120 credits, with 90 of those credits transferable from previous college work.
Military students may also be eligible for a military scholarship.
It usually takes four years to finish. Monthly course beginnings are also available for online courses, allowing students to begin their studies whenever convenient.
History of the Middle East, France in the Age of Enlightenment, and History of East Asia are just a few courses offered in this curriculum.
Location:
Charles Town, West Virginia
Accreditation:
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Program Features:
- American History, European History, Ancient and Classical History, World History, Middle Eastern History, and Public History are among the concentrations available.
- Evaluate primary and secondary sources, comprehend critical historical theories, and present persuasive arguments.
- The Bachelor of Arts in Military History program at APU focuses on war philosophies and strategies, military and civilian leaders and management, the impact of decisive historical battles, technological advancements in war and their impact on society, and historical lessons in diplomacy and foreign affairs.
Course Options:
- Military History
- American History
- Ancient World and Classical History
- World History & World Civilization
Admission Requirements: (General)
First-year students:
- Must meet the required high school courses
- High School GPA and Test Scores
Transfer Students:
- Minimum of 2.0 Cumulative GPA
- Sealed Official Transcripts
Financial Aid:
- Grants
- Loans
- Federal Work-Study
- Scholarships
- State Programs
- Veterans Benefits
What’s Unique About the Program:
- This program has one of the highest credit acceptance rates, at over 82 percent, compared to the others listed.
- There is no charge for either program’s textbooks or ebooks. Veterans who have received a military scholarship in the United States are eligible for discounted tuition.
- The MA in History from American Public University differs from other online history master’s programs because you can transfer up to 15 courses toward the 36-credit degree.
Columbia College
The History, Philosophy & Political Science Department at CC offers an online Bachelor of Arts in History that requires 120 credit hours.
Students can attend lectures and complete assignments whenever convenient because online classes are given asynchronously through Canvas. Financial aid is accessible in various formats, including military and financial assistance.
Location:
Columbia, Missouri
Accreditation:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Program Features:
- Students will research the History of the United States and the rest of the world while developing their unique focus.
- Students should take at least nine courses in the department, four of which must be in a specialty chosen by the student and authorized by a UNDED member.
- Lectures span from broad overviews of a location’s or period’s History to more thematically focused courses.
Course Options:
- World War I & World War II
- Europe, Fascism, and the Holocaust
- Native American and African History
- The modern Middle East Studies
- Archaeology
Admission Requirements: (General)
First-Year Students
- Bachelor’s in History programs require official high school transcripts
- Short personal statement outlining enrollment goals.
- Application fee (non-refundable): $25
Transfer Students
- Completion of registration for 24 points of credit
- High school diploma or equivalent
- $85 application fee or fee waiver request
- SAT or ACT
Financial Aid:
- Columbia grant
- Merit-based scholarships
- Tuition benefits from employers
What’s Unique About the Program
- Each semester, the History Department offers roughly 25 seminars to improve their research and writing skills while closely supervised by a faculty member.
- In this Bachelor’s degree in History program, enrollment is generally limited to around 15 students for the school to monitor each student.
The University of Illinois at Springfield
The university offers one of the best online bachelor’s degrees in History. The program, designed to educate students for jobs in politics, law, government, or administration, allows students to study at their own pace.
The program also offers support through interactive virtual learning communities.
Students then select a total of 27 credits of upper-level history courses. Non-US History must account for at least eight credits. All students must additionally complete a senior seminar capstone course before graduating.
Except for admission requirements, the Online History degree program is identical to the on-campus program.
Location:
Springfield, Illinois
Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Program Features:
- Students will research and interpret historical events.
- The program offers online and hybrid lectures for undergraduate majors and minors and a graduate degree in American History, European and World History, and Public History.
- Students also take classes on religion, the Middle East, East Asia, the United States, and other parts of the globe.
Course Options:
- World War II History
- European History
- Public History
- Religious History
Admission Requirements: (General)
- Statement of intent in which applicants discuss their ability to succeed in an online degree program
- Academic background
- The rationale for pursuing a History degree.
- The rationale for wanting to complete the degree online at UIS.
Financial Aid:
- Institutional and federal aid
What’s Unique About the Program
Students can participate in dynamic, diverse, and engaged online learning communities and complete their degrees in their own time and pace through the online program.
The program focuses more on students who live more than 50 miles from UIS and students within the mile limit who have a documented impairment.
The University of Louisiana at Monroe
The University of Louisiana at Monroe’s online Bachelor of Arts in History degree provides students with a solid foundation in History that may apply to citizenship politics and law. At least half of the program must be made up of graduate-only history courses.
Students not only learn about past events, but they also get investigation and analysis abilities. This degree also needs a minor, allowing students to gain expertise in a different field of interest.
Graduation requires 120 credits in total, and the curriculum takes around four years to complete. Louisiana History, Ancient Egyptian Religious Texts and Beliefs, and Contemporary History are among the courses offered in this program.
It’s also worth noting that 90% of this program’s graduates get jobs within 60 days after graduation.
Location:
Monroe, Louisiana
Accreditation:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Program Features:
- The majority of the courses in this curriculum focus on History in the Western Hemisphere, with a few exceptions focusing on the Eastern Hemisphere.
- Courses on biblical areas, the ancient Near East and Greece, the founders of America, and the growth of Southern nationalism are among the highlights of the curriculum.
- While students can personalize their program to their research interests, students who desire to finish a thesis should know that the thesis track is not available online.
Course Options:
- Military & World War II History
- Southern and African American History
- Supernatural
- French and Polish History
- Ancient Mediterranean History
- Modern Era
Admission Requirements: (General)
- Bachelor’s in History programs require 900 points for GRE General Test (Verbal plus Quantitative)
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.50 (based on a 4.0 scale)
- A minimum verbal plus quantitative formula score of 1875, calculated by multiplying cumulative undergraduate GPA by GRE score
- Recommendation letters from current or former professors
- TOEFL (paper) for International Students
- TOEFL (internet-based) for International Students
Financial Aid:
- Grants
- Loans
- Federal Work-Study
- Alternative Loans
- Paid graduate assistantship
What’s Unique About the Program
No senior thesis is provided. Instead, students complete a comprehensive written and oral test at the end of their master’s degree program. However, one course is required: Research Methods. The remaining 27 credit hours come from a large selection of historical electives.
University of Memphis
UM is a nationally recognized research university with a strong history program. The online history program equips students to research and defend historical topics, analyze historical sources, and compare and contrast historical interpretations of past events.
Students interested in Women, Gender, African-American, Family, Global, and Egyptian History should take a hard look at UM’s program, which boasts remarkable strength in those fields.
The University of Memphis provides online courses through the Tennessee Regents Online Campus Collaborative, which needs a separate application.
Location:
Decatur, Georgia
Accreditation:
- Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Program Features:
- More than a half-dozen history professors give courses that span all major geographic areas and historical periods.
- African-American studies, Egyptology, Women’s History, Gender, Family Studies, and Global History are among the department’s specialties.
Course Options:
- African-American studies
- Egyptology
- Women, Gender, and Family Studies
- Global History
Admission Requirements: (General)
- Accredited degree in bachelor’s with no less than 18 hours of humanities or social science classes. One of which half must be history-based.
- Supply of writing samples such as a research paper or book review; it should be no longer than ten double-spaced pages.
Financial Aid:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
- Tennessee Student Assistance Award
- Subsidized Stafford Loan
- Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
- Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students
- Federal Work-Study and Regular Student Employment
What’s Unique About the Program
One of the best aspects of the University of Memphis’ online history degree program is that online students can and are encouraged to participate in extended study abroad programs as on-campus students.
Fort Hays State University
One of Fort Hays State University’s Bachelor of Arts in History program graduates was hired as an assistant at the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame.
While not every profession accessible with a history master’s degree can match that level of calm, Fort Hays guarantees students that “you’ll only be constrained by your thirst for a scholarship” while pursuing the degree.
It takes 30 to 33 semester credit hours to complete the degree. Students prepare research papers for two seminars as part of their history classes. It also contains 21 credit hours of electives tailored to students’ interests, such as a professional career or a transition from a master’s to a Ph.D. in History.
Location:
Hays, Kansas
Accreditation:
Higher Learning Commission
Program Features:
Western History, world history, local history, agricultural and rural studies, and History of science and technology are only a few of the disciplines covered by the online programs.
Course Options
- American West History
- Civil War
- Western Civilization
- Latin America History
- Russian History
Admission Requirements: (General)
- Bachelor’s in History programs require a bachelor’s degree of any concentration with satisfactory performance in a minimum of 18 hours of history courses.
- Two letters of recommendation
- A writing sample demonstrating research, higher-level writing, and documentation skills
- A personal statement
- A 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale on the last 60 credit hours, or a 2.50-2.99 GPA for the last 60 credit hours.
Financial Aid:
- Student Employment
- Loan
- Scholarship
- Military Education Benefits
What’s Unique About the Program
- Graduate teaching assistantships are available through online programs featuring history degrees, allowing students to gain experience and enhance their knowledge in a subject of study while also developing skills that will make them more valuable after graduation.
- For students pursuing a career in academia, the program boasts a high placement rate into Ph.D. programs.
- Library access, job development tools, mental health counseling, and online tutoring are all available to students throughout their education.
Florida International University
Students specialize in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, or the United States by choosing one of five cultural areas as a core concentration.
Students select a “breadth area” in addition to their specialty, allowing them to create a larger context for historical learning. This breadth area consists of six credits. It can be either a cultural area, a discipline outside of History, or a combination of the two.
Students can conclude their degree in three ways: writing a report, writing a thesis, or completing a public history portfolio. The report option is online, but the others need some in-person work or presentations.
Location:
Miami, Florida
Accreditation:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Program Features:
- Students gain an in-depth understanding of History, cultural and political events, and scientific advancements from various periods, wars, and mass migrations to better prepare for employment in today’s globalized world.
- Students are anticipated to attend virtual sessions and meet deadlines because many classes are in real-time and not self-paced.
Course Options:
- Race, Gender, and Science in Atlantic World
- East Asian Civilization and Culture
- Greek History
- Latin America History
- World or Comparative History
- African History
Admission Requirements: (General)
- Completion of an undergraduate degree with a 3.25 minimum GPA
- Writing samples
- Personal statement
- Completed application (with fee)
- Official transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
Financial Aid:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Federal Work-study
- Loans
What’s Unique About the Program:
FIU’s online students benefit from an engaging online experience that includes 24/7 assistance, real-time faculty input, and personalized coaching from a personal academic coach.
Sam Houston State University
SHSU provides a history bachelor’s program online. Students must also complete a foreign language requirement and an academic minor in addition to the history curriculum. They can also get a teaching license.
Students can concentrate on areas of personal interest because the program is flexible. Military History, European History, and African American history are all possible specialties.
All students must complete overview courses in American and World History and select from several more specifically focused courses in American, European, and global History.
Location:
Huntsville, Texas
Accreditation:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Program Features:
- History, a foreign language, and a minor are all compulsory courses for students.
- The degree can also be used to obtain teaching certification.
Course Options:
- American History
- European History
- World History
- Pre-Modern History
Admission Requirements: (General)
- Accredited bachelor’s degree
- Resume
- Letter of recommendation
- An essay that shows graduate-level writing skills
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher
Financial Aid:
Scholarships
What’s Unique About the Program
Internship and professional development opportunities are available through the department for those interested in a career in public History or museums.
The school group of award-winning teachers and nationally famous researchers provide individualized attention in small class settings, thus, expanding critical thinking and analytical skills.
Unique course options examine the past from various angles, bringing historically disadvantaged voices to the fore through history degrees.
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus
History majors at Penn State have found success in a range of professions. They work in fields related to the major, including historic preservation, museum work, and education; a sizable percentage of our students move to law school or graduate school.
The Bachelor of Arts in History at this university prepares students for careers in education, law, or government by providing a strong foundation in research, writing, analysis, and a broad overview of historical events.
Location:
University Park, Pennsylvania
Accreditation:
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Program Features:
In addition to a comprehensive slate of liberal arts courses, students take two core history classes on American civilization. The focus then shifts away from regional studies and toward specific topics such as the Holocaust and American Environmental History.
Course Options:
- American Civilization
- European History
- United States History
- Global History
- Pre-Modern History
- Civil War
- Western Civilization
Admission Requirements: (General)
First-Year Students:
- High school transcripts or GED transcript
Transfer Student:
- Official college or university transcripts
Financial Aid:
- Scholarship
What’s Unique About the Program
In this program, students are taught by reputable teachers at Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts Department of History. Also, the school has an organization called Phi Alpha Theta that encourages students to share their interest in History. It aims to bring students and professors together intellectually and socially.
Liberty University
The online bachelor’s degree in history offered by Liberty University is designed to equip you with analytical, practical, and research skills. Further, you will become familiar with key historical figures, places, and events. Specialized areas of history can also be selected.
Most online history students take courses in historical methodology, geography, western civilization, and American history for critical context and research skills.
As a student of Liberty’s historical methodology course, you will acquire the skills necessary to become a historian. Studying history and writing a research paper are important skills you will learn.
Market research and intelligence analysis require analyzing past historical figures’ decisions and actions. This skill will be invaluable in these fields.
Location:
- Lynchburg, Virginia
Accreditation:
- SACSCOC – Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges
Program Features:
- 120 credits required
- It can be completed in 3.5 years
- Transfer up to 75% of the degree
Course Options:
- Historical Methodology
- Survey of American History
- Geography
- History of Western Civilization
Admission Requirements:
- Application fee
- Official Transcripts
- Admission application
- English Proficiency
Financial Aid:
- Grants
- Loans
- Scholarships
What’s Unique About the Program:
- Online bachelor’s degrees in history prepare you to be responsible custodians of historical perspectives of original documents through crucial research and analysis skills.
- While studying fascinating periods in history and learning about world civilizations, you’ll learn many skills necessary for a career as a data analyst or intelligence analyst.
University of Virginia
Students interested in history and politics and their role in society should enroll in the History and Politics Concentration offered at the University of Virginia.
Various career paths are available to students with this concentration, including law, business, communication, advocacy, research, government, and education.
Those who plan to proceed to graduate studies in history, politics, and other humanities and social science fields would also be suitable candidates for this program.
Location:
- Charlottesville, Virginia
Accreditation:
- SACSCOC – Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges
Program Features:
- Requires 18 credits of concentration
- Requires 24 credits of electives
Course Options:
- An Alternative History of Early America
- Exploring Modern US History: A Research Methods Course
- Russian Politics
- Nationalism and National Identity
- The Second World War: Experience of Total War
Admission Requirements:
- Official Transcripts
- Online Application
Financial Aid:
- Employer assistance
- Payment plans
- Military Benefits
- Scholarships
- UVA Education Benefits
What’s Unique About the Program:
- You will learn how politics and history work in this program and how the principles and lessons of one apply to the other.
University of Central Florida
With a Bachelor of Arts in History, you’ll gain a deep understanding of our cultural and historical past while developing your critical thinking and analytical skills.
From the earliest days of civilization to its most recent trends, you’ll study its history through coursework. The study of a particular geographical region can be tailored to your interests.
A Bachelor’s and Master’s of Arts can be earned in an accelerated program halfway through your studies. UCF Online will prepare you for a wide range of careers or graduate education, whatever path you choose.
The history degree you earn online will prepare you for a career in law, public policy, international affairs, or any other field you choose.
Location:
- Orlando, Florida
Accreditation:
- SACSCOC – Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges
- Program Features:
- 120 credits required
Course Options:
- Western Civilization I
- History and Historians
- Professionalizing History Majors
- World Civilization I
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official transcripts
- ACT or SAT scores
Financial Aid:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Loans
- Waivers
- Work Study
What’s Unique About the Program:
- A history degree online will give you the foundation to enter fields such as law, public policy, and international affairs.
University of Arizona
The entire human experience is encompassed in history, from family relations to workplace dynamics, community building to nation-state formation, global climate change to international pandemics, and faith to scientific discoveries.
Almost every field of scholarship uses this field of study to pursue knowledge, and it serves as a nexus for interdisciplinary research across arts, humanities, and sciences.
Location:
- Tucson, Arizona
Accreditation:
- the Higher Learning Commission
Program Features:
- 120 credits required
Course Options:
- Ancient History: Greek History
- Senior Capstone
- Medieval Europe
- Introduction to the Study of History
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
Financial Aid:
- Scholarships
- Pell Grant
- Loans
What’s Unique About the Program:
- Students can study history in a flexible way that suits their needs.
- The academic advisor can help students find classes that complement their career goals.
- Also available are electives and interdisciplinary study options for students.
King University
With a Bachelor of Science in History from King University, you can turn your budding interest in the world and European and American history into a rewarding career.
It provides students with a platform to appreciate individuals who have shaped their world, understands people from different cultures and periods, and grasp the roots of civilization.
King University offers a diverse foundation in history in its online history degree program. You’ll surely enjoy your educational experience in this online bachelor’s program.
Location:
- Bristol, Tennessee
Accreditation:
- SACSCOC – Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges
Program Features:
- It can be completed in 16 months
- Requires 48 major credit hours
Course Options:
- History of Science
- The Cold War
- How to evaluate historical writing
- Public history, including historical sites and museums
- Europe during WWI and WWII
Admission Requirements:
- GPA of 2.2
- Official Transcripts
- Online Application
Financial Aid:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Loans
- Payment Plan
What’s Unique About the Program:
- As a result of the independent learning format, those pursuing this path are exceptionally motivated and driven to succeed.
- Graduates of King University’s online programs gain a new appreciation for their tenacity and excellence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is getting a degree in History still relevant?
History will always be an essential subject for us to learn about ourselves and the world around us. Every discipline and topic, from art to music to medicine, has a history.
Learning and understanding history is essential, even if the consequences of historical research are less evident and immediate.
History paints a clear picture of how many components there are in a society. This includes governmental institutions, technology, and even society as a whole, which functioned in the past. It allows people to comprehend how things came to be as they are now.
A history degree can help students become better critical thinkers and communicators while preparing them for law, education, and government careers. They can also draw on various historical disciplines, such as women’s and gender studies, African-American History, and Political History.
In addition, studies for a bachelor’s degree in history allow students to observe and comprehend how people and communities acted in the past. We can, for example, judge war by looking back on prior occurrences, even while a country is at peace. History gives all the necessary information needed to make rules and hypotheses about various areas of society.
History can aid in the formation of the concept of self. One of the critical reasons that History is still taught in schools worldwide is because of this.
Historians have learned about the formation of countries, families, and communities and their evolution and development over time. When someone takes the time to delve deeply into their family’s history, they can better understand how their ancestors dealt with more significant historical changes.
Have any members of your family fought in major wars? Were they present at any major events?
If people want to understand why something happened — in any area or field, such as one political party winning the last election vs. the other or a significant change in the number of smokers — they must search for elements that occurred earlier.
Only by studying History can people genuinely comprehend the reasons for these changes. Only by studying History can people understand what aspects of an organization or culture persist despite constant change.
How much does an online History major cost?
Various factors determine the cost of an online bachelor’s degree in History. Many schools and universities charge higher tuition for out-of-state students than they do for in-state learners; thus, state residency is essential.
On the other hand, some colleges charge set tuition fees for online students regardless of where they live.
For history majors, another essential cost is technology fees, which sometimes apply to online students but not their brick-and-mortar counterparts.
An online history degree at the bachelor’s level normally costs between $275 and $575 per credit hour. Total tuition should cost between $33,000 and $69,000 per student.
What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in History?
While an online history bachelor’s degree may not always lead to a particular employment field, it provides history students with a diverse foundation for various career goals.
So, what can you do with an online history degree? Considering how pervasive History is in society, the broad answer to this question should come as no surprise.
Students who pursue a history degree should be skilled at applying historical lessons to current problems. They should also have the capacity to apply an analytical approach to a variety of situations and obstacles.
Students learn these problem-solving and analytical abilities, which are helpful in almost every industry that focuses on present society and future developments. A few examples of this are business, politics, and academia.
Teaching and research career
Many history degree holders become history teachers, either at the secondary level or at universities, to share their passion for the subject.
The first choice necessitates typically attaining a professional teaching certificate, while the second option frequently requires completing courses up to the Ph.D. level. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggests a median annual salary of $80,840 for postsecondary teachers.
Many history majors obtain jobs in universities that involve teaching and research, with professors working as lecturers and tutors while simultaneously undertaking original research in their fields.
Academic history employment can also lead to writing or broadcasting jobs, allowing historians to share their knowledge with a broader audience and readership.
Intense curiosity about the world, a quest for learning, and a belief that History can inform the present and affect the future are the essential character traits you need to have for a career in academia.
Archiving and Heritage career
History careers in archiving and heritage are situated in museums, galleries, libraries, and other historical archives. Unlike academic research, archiving and heritage occupations are concerned with the preservation and arrangement of historical artifacts. Taxidermy animals, famous paintings, and everything in between are a few examples of artifacts.
Roles in these fields might be highly varied. Some of the positions will be administrative and curatorial. In contrast, others will be research-oriented, focusing on delving deeper into historical information (sometimes literally, on archaeological digs) to supplement the knowledge of human heritage and history for museum technicians.
Curating museum collections, genealogy, education, and archeology are all connected roles (conversion courses for history graduates are available).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual salary of a museum curator as $50,120 for entry-level positions, with the highest 10% earning upwards of $96,500 per year.
Political career
Although a “less common” career path for history graduates, political careers are well-suited to history scholars, it is for those who have chosen to analyze critical political events, the historical development of governmental systems, and the complicated set of factors involved.
Unlike many research and heritage professions, employment in politics allows you to apply your knowledge to the advancement and change of the political system. A political science degree would greatly complement a history degree.
Media career
History students can enjoy careers in journalism, broadcasting, writing, editing, and all things media-related are all possible careers in the media, with jobs ranging from TV scheduling to radio DJing.
Employment in the media is surprisingly common among history graduates, owing to the media’s importance in conveying information and news to broad audiences.
Knowing History will help you develop cultural awareness and sensitivity in these professions and inform your grasp of contemporary political and social challenges.
Law career
History graduates are highly recognized in the legal profession because of their strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Many jobs require additional education, but history graduates may be qualified for legal administration and office work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual salary of a lawyer to be $163,770.
What can history major students do to secure post-grad employment?
Obtaining a history internship is one of the most effective strategies to secure post-graduate employment. Plus, given the sheer number of opportunities available throughout History, it’s a fascinating path to explore.
Summer internships in History will provide you with a wealth of valuable experiences and give you a realistic sense of what it will be like to work in the field later on. You’ll meet possible mentors, learn History’s insider secrets, and form bonds with coworkers with diverse backgrounds. If it’s a paid history internship, that’s even better!
Internships in History that are informative or prestigious boost resumes, provide excellent opportunities for letters of recommendation, and even lead to full-time employment. Start your history internship search today if you want to take advantage of all of these benefits and the opportunity to learn about diverse aspects of one profession.
Consider these exciting internships for history majors:
- Historical methods and research internships
- Archivist internships
- Museum internships
- Non-profit internships
- University internships
- Law-related internships
- Communications internships
How long does it take to finish an online bachelor’s degree in history?
The fastest isn’t always the best for online history degrees. It can, however, take less time for students to complete online history programs than on-campus programs.
But it’s worth emphasizing that this is case-to-case, depending on the school or university. One hundred twenty credit hours are required for most history degrees.
A bachelor’s degree usually takes four years for on-campus students. The timeline may be shorter for online students, however. So, you can finish this program usually in three years or shorter, depending on your pace.
Key Takeaways
History majors look at the past while also looking forward to the future. Although you might use your history degree for a career that is, in fact, history-based… it’s not your only option! Check out these points:
- Bachelor’s in History programs provide many career opportunities, not only in history-related fields.
- History programs prepare graduates to pursue careers as high school history teachers, journalists, museum technicians, and much more. History online graduates from a bachelor’s degree in history program are prepared to enter graduate school to earn a master’s degree in a related topic.
- An online history degree provides a learning format that’s conducive to busy working professionals or other students who have busy schedules. In most cases, classes are conducted by the same faculty members that teach the on-campus coursework.
- Through an online history degree program, you will learn life skills that will assist you in any career choice and your personal life. Put your own historical perspective on things!
- In history programs, students learn to sharpen their historical perspectives, historical methods, and critical thinking, as well as oral communication skills and analytical skills. They examine historical documents and historical societies and learn about medieval history and political science. You’ll also learn about the American Revolution, World War I, World War II, the Cold War, and Civil War history. You’ll learn to hone your research skills about historic sites, ancient civilizations, world power, the Roman Empire, and medieval Europe, not to mention other U.S. history happenings and so much more!
- An original research project or capstone course may or may not be required, depending on your specific online history degree.
- Prospective students should enroll in an online history program today to get started on an exciting future career… while studying about the past! What’s next?… Earn your graduate degree!
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