If you enjoy analyzing the past and connecting history with real issues today, then you might want to consider earning an online history degree.
Students earning online history degrees draw conclusions between what has happened in the past and how it shapes our current events and future.
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It’s a strategic degree path for those who are interested in pursuing careers in law, education, history, and writing, just to name a few. In addition to helping you qualify for entry-level positions, a bachelors in history can also be a solid foundation for graduate studies.
Online Bachelors in History Degrees
Earning an online history bachelors degree can be beneficial for students who want to develop versatile skill sets that are applicable in a range of fields.
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Within the context of studying social, political, and economic history, you can learn to conduct in-depth research, draw conclusions, and present information in a compelling way.
Skills that are emphasized and developed when earning a history degree often include:
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Evaluating evidence
- Analytical thinking
- Research
- Academic writing
- Using digital media
Your coursework will likely cover various periods of American history, European history, Middle Eastern history, and world history.
As you take more advanced courses, your course selection will vary based on your chosen history concentration. Concentration or elective courses might include areas such as gender, diplomatic, or intellectual history.
Graduates with online history degrees go on to pursue a wide range of careers and industries, including education, writing, journalism, communications, and business. Others may choose to continue their educations and enroll in traditional or online masters in history programs.
History majors interested in education may go on to teach history at the secondary level. Those with further education may teach at the postsecondary level and also contribute to historical research. Graduates may also pursue further education and careers in law, history, and politics and policy.
Common Online Bachelor Degree in History Concentrations
While concentration and course offerings vary from program to program, below are some common concentrations you may find as you explore bachelor in history degrees online:
- American History. Courses in this specialty focus on US history, including the American Revolution, African American history, the Civil War, and environmental history.
- European History. Courses in this specialty focus on Ancient Greece and Rome through modern European history, including World Wars I and II through the present day.
- World History. Courses in this specialty may cover a wide range of topics on a global scale, including the history of the international monetary system, colonialism, and intellectual history.
- Middle Eastern History. Courses in this specialty cover the history of the Middle East, from the rise of Islam to the origins and continuation of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
- Economic History. Courses in this specialty include a global study of different economic systems, covering topics from racial and social economic issues to the causes of financial crises.
Most programs will require core courses for all history majors, with a specific selection of courses you may choose from based on your chosen concentration.
History Careers and Salaries
One of the many benefits of earning a bachelor’s in history degree online is the diverse range of career opportunities that may be available to you after graduation.
A bachelor’s in history can help prepare you for positions in communications, education, history, business, and journalism, among other fields. Many career opportunities are available with a bachelor’s degree. Some history majors become teachers, journalists, museum technicians, editors, research assistants, and writers. Public teachers must also have a state-issued teaching license.
Based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median salaries of common career paths for history majors.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Writers and Authors | $69,510 |
| Historians | $63,940 |
| Market Research Analysts | $63,920 |
| Editors | $63,350 |
| High School Teachers | $61,820 |
| Middle School Teachers | $61,320 |
| Social Science Research Assistants | $49,720 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,370 |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $47,630 |
| Postsecondary Teaching Assistants | $38,040 |
Graduates interested in fieldwork in anthropology or archeology may find entry-level employment as assistants in the field. Some organizations also hire bachelor-degree holders for entry-level historian positions. Most historians, though, are required to hold a masters or doctoral degree in the field.
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Other related positions that require a graduate degree include archivists, curators, conservators, postsecondary teachers, and librarians. Most museum technician positions, though, only require bachelors. Many history majors go on to pursue graduate studies in areas such as history, law, and political science.
History Bachelors Curriculum & Courses
While courses vary between history programs, below are some common courses you may be expected to take as you earn your bachelor’s in history degree online:
- Global History to 1500: Students in this course will study early human origins across Africa, Asia, Europe, and India through 1500.
- American Civilization to 1877: This course focuses on American history from the colonial era to post-Civil War Reconstruction.
- History of Modern Europe Since 1789: Students in this course will study both World Wars, their effect on Europe, and Europe’s evolving global role.
- Introduction to the Middle East: This course introduces you to the origins and expansion of Islam, the Ottoman Empire, and the Middle East.
- History in the Wild: Students in this course will learn to present historical information engagingly beyond academic texts and writing, including using digital media.
- The Roman Republic and Empire: In this course, you’ll study the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.
- The Holocaust: This course focuses on using primary sources to study the history of the Holocaust.
- Making History: Students in this course will examine different kinds of history, analyze historical sources, and discuss how history is communicated and what history is.
- Modern War and Society: This course introduces you to modern warfare, including modern military techniques and technologies in Western society.
- Modern China: This course focuses on Chinese history from the mid-1700s to the present, including the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the current political landscape.
Your course requirements can also depend on whether you choose a specific history concentration in your program. In addition to history-specific courses, bachelors programs require a minimum number of credits in general education courses, such as math, science, and English.
Bachelor of History Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements will vary from school to school, but here are some common requirements for applying to an online history bachelor’s degree program:
- SAT or ACT scores (if required). Some programs require the submission of SAT or ACT scores, but a growing number of schools have eliminated this requirement.
- Minimum GPA. Some programs require you to earn a minimum GPA in your high school or prior college courses if you are transferring.
- Official transcripts. Most programs require a copy of your official high school transcripts.
In addition, many programs require the submission of an online application as well as an application fee.
Online History Bachelor Degrees Accreditation
The accreditation process verifies that an educational institution meets a predetermined set of educational standards. Regional accreditation is the most accepted type of accreditation among higher education institutions and employers.
A school’s accreditation status could potentially affect your future education and career opportunities. For instance, if you choose to pursue further education after your history degree, some schools may only recognize a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school.
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To learn more about accreditation, you can visit the US Department of Education’s website.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
As you look into online history degrees, you can also explore financial resources that could potentially help with upfront costs.
One option you may explore is government funding through grants or loans. These may be funded through either the federal or state government. You might also look into federal work-study programs, which offer the option to work part-time to help pay for your degree.
To learn more about potential federal aid opportunities, you can visit the Federal Student Aid website. Numerous scholarship opportunities may be available through public and private institutions. Some employers also offer tuition benefits for workers who are pursuing a college degree.
History Professional Organizations
Joining an organization can provide many benefits, including networking opportunities, continuing education, and keeping history alive today.
- American Association for State and Local History (AASLH): The AASLH is a community for those hands-on with history, including teachers, writers, and museum workers.
- American Historical Association (AHA): This organization is for those interested in continually learning about and advocating for history.
- Organization of American Historians (OAH): This organization is for individuals interested in American History who want to continue their study of US history.
There are a number of historical organizations you can explore that may benefit you throughout your career.
What Is a History Online Degree?
A history online degree is a bachelors program that can help provide students with versatile skills that are applicable in a variety of future careers.
History majors can develop skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, research and analysis, communication, reading comprehension, and writing. These skills can help prepare students to pursue higher degrees in history, law, political science, or other related fields.
Graduates may also use their knowledge and skills to enter the workforce. They may be equipped for entry-level roles in communications, business, history, education, and journalism.
What Can You Do with a History Degree?
Graduates with online history degrees may find employment opportunities in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Graduates who want to be hands-on with history could explore opportunities in museums as technicians or in the field assisting archeologists or anthropologists.
Some graduates find opportunities to teach history at the middle school or high school level, though a teaching license is required for public schools. History majors may also find entry-level opportunities in areas such as law, journalism, history, writing, communications, and business. Potential career paths outside of history include writer, editor, news reporter, and market research analyst.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online History Degree?
The time needed to complete online history degrees varies based on several factors, including your semester schedule and enrollment status.
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If you follow a traditional 16-week semester and attend classes full-time, it will usually take 4 years to complete an online bachelors degree in history. If you follow an 8-week semester, though, and are enrolled year-round, you may be able to finish your degree in less time. Part-time enrollment will often extend your overall time to completion.
What’s the Difference Between BS vs. BA in History Online Degrees?
Here are some distinctions to note when choosing between a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in History.
| BA in History | BS in History |
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Many BS and BA degree programs overlap with the early history courses but vary when it comes to advanced coursework.
Is an Online Bachelor’s Degree in History Worth It?
Yes, an online bachelor’s degree in history is worth it for many students. Graduates often pursue careers in public, private, and non-profit organizations in areas such as education, law, history, political science, journalism, business, and communications, just to name a few.
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Many of these fields are seeing continual growth. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% job growth for media and communication occupations over the next ten years. On the business side of things, market research analysts are expected to see 19% job growth over the same period, which is much faster than average.
Best Universities Offering Online Bachelors in History Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Arizona State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in History. The curriculum explores the progress of human history from political, social, economic, and cultural perspectives. This program consists of 39 courses for a total of 120 total credit hours. All classes meet entirely online and are typically 7.5 weeks long.
Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Eastern New Mexico University offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in History. Both degrees may be completed fully online. Graduates often pursue careers in fields where a historical perspective is valuable, such as law, journalism, politics, teaching, ministry, or business.
ENMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Indiana University offers a Bachelor of Arts in History. Potential courses include Issues in United States History, The World in the Twentieth Century, and Modern East Asian Civilizations. Up to 90 qualifying credits from other accredited universities may be transferred in toward the program’s 120 required credit hours. Classes may be attended online.
Indiana University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Liberty University offers a Bachelor of Arts in History. The curriculum explores American, European, and Western historical periods through economic, political, military, and sociocultural lenses. Classes meet online and are 8 weeks long. On average, the program’s 120 required credit hours can be completed in 3.5 years of full-time attendance.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Maryville University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Arts in History. The curriculum is designed to help students develop research, communication, analytical, and education skills in the history discipline. The program offers opportunities to develop hands-on experience through local history seminars and internships in the field. The program admits incoming students three times a year.
Maryville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Nicholls State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in History. Graduates often pursue careers as teachers, analysts, archivists, editors, information specialists, lobbyists, researchers, or government consultants. This program utilizes an entirely online learning format. In addition to general education requirements, students must complete a minimum of 54 major-specific credit hours.
Nicholls State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Oregon State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in History. Incoming students can choose from one of four yearly start dates, allowing them to start at their earliest convenience. The curriculum consists of 180 credit hours and covers topics like medieval Europe, native North America, and African history. All classes meet fully online.
Oregon State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Ottawa University offers a Bachelor of Arts in History. Students may select an additional concentration in Secondary History Education. All classes meet conveniently online and are conducted in an accelerated, 8 week format. Potential courses include American Women’s History, World Regional Geography, American Government, and Twentieth Century World History.
Ottawa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Pennsylvania State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in History. The program boasts expert faculty and the flexibility of a fully online learning model. A minimum of 123 credit hours must be completed to graduate. Graduates often pursue roles in education, business, law, medicine, or government.
Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Sam Houston State University offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in History. Classes can be earned online or in-person. Incoming students can choose between three start dates each year in fall, spring, or summer.
Sam Houston State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Southern New Hampshire University offers an online program for a Bachelor of Arts in History. The curriculum is designed to equip students with a thorough understanding of human societies and skills in communication, research, analysis, and critical thinking. Up to 90 qualifying credits from outside institutions may be transferred in toward the program’s 120 required credits.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Sterling College offers a 100% online program for a Bachelor of Arts in History. Graduates often pursue careers as museum curators, historians, researchers, teachers, librarians, lawyers, or politicians. Students who are interested in becoming secondary history teachers also have the option to complete their professional studies coursework alongside their history degree.
Sterling College is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.
The University of Arizona offers a Bachelor of Arts in History. The program seeks to help students develop broadly applicable skills in communication, public speaking, teaching, research, critical thinking, and policy analysis. The curriculum is housed fully online. Common courses include Medieval European History, Introduction to the Study of History, and Ancient Greek History.
The University of Arizona is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Central Florida offers a fully online program for a Bachelor of Arts in History. Concentrations are available by geographic region, including Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, North America, and the Middle East. The curriculum consists of 120 credits. An accelerated BA and MA pathway may be available for those who want to complete graduate studies in history as well.
The University of Central Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Illinois—Springfield offers a Bachelor of Arts in History. The program’s convenient online learning model is designed to provide busy adults with flexible class scheduling and access to the latest education technologies. In addition to general education requirements, students must complete 33 major-specific credits with a C grade or higher to graduate.
UIS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Louisiana—Monroe offers a Bachelor of Arts in History. Potential classes include World Civilization, United States History, and State and Local Government. The curriculum consists of 120 credit hours, 39 of which must be completed in the history major. On average, the degree requirements can be completed in 4 years of full-time attendance.
The University of Louisiana Monroe is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Maryland Global Campus offers a Bachelor of Arts in History. Upon graduation, many students pursue graduate studies or find careers in education, museums and archives, or government. Classes meet primarily online, though some hybrid courses may be available. Students can potentially transfer up to 90 of their 120 required credits from outside institutions.
The University of Maryland Global Campus is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of Memphis offers a 100% online program for a Bachelor of Arts in History. Online students retain access to the same resources as on-campus students, like tutoring, library, technical support, and study abroad opportunities. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a full scope of history across countries and cultures. The program requires the completion of 120 credits.
The University of Memphis is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of North Dakota offers a Bachelor of Arts in History. Graduates often find fulfilling roles in historic sites, museums, libraries, archives, or government institutions. The program admits new students three times a year in fall, spring, and summer terms. The degree’s 120 required credit hours can typically be completed in 4 years of full-time study.
UND is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Westfield State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in History. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a well-balanced understanding of world history while developing their skills in communication, writing, research, critical thinking, and analysis. Classes can be completed on campus or online. The degree requirements can typically be completed in 4 years of full-time study.
Westfield State University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Getting Your History Bachelor Degree Online
Earning your history bachelors degree online can allow you to develop many valuable skills, from communications to research, analysis, and writing.
Those who have earned their bachelors in history go on to pursue entry-level careers in areas such as education, history, law, political science, journalism, communications, writing, and business. A history major can also be a solid foundation for masters or doctoral studies in these fields.
The sooner you start exploring accredited colleges and universities, the sooner you may find the history program and concentration that best suit your interests and goals.
