A Guide to Online History Degrees Accredited Online Degree Programs in History

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Like wearing a seatbelt, understanding history offers great preparation for what may be coming next. While parents and families are always (reasonably) a little wary of humanities and liberal arts degrees, a degree in history is a degree that sets the stage.

Those who choose to study history explore the foundations of societal development and its ultimate impact upon the world’s financial and non-financial events. Given this definition, students interested in studying history in a post-secondary setting will soon discover that the best jobs with a history degree are found across a wide swath of industries, from business to politics to law to entertainment. So, if you have asked yourself – What career can I do with a history degree? – read on to learn the list of careers in the history field that are available to history majors who earn an accredited degree online.

Quick Facts: Historians
2021 Median Pay$63,940 per year
$30.74 per hour
Typical Entry-Level EducationMaster’s degree
Work Experience in a Related OccupationNone
On-the-job TrainingNone
Number of Jobs, 20213,300
Job Outlook, 2021-314% (As fast as average)
Employment Change, 2021-31100
Source: 2021 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2021-31 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

What Job Can You Get with a History Degree?

When you consider earning a history degree, you might find a relative or friend may question the decision, wondering, What jobs can you get with a degree in history?

So, find the answer to this question – What jobs can I get with a degree in history, to ensure you can eloquently explain the many available jobs that you can get with a history degree when asked by a trusted friend or relative. Be ready to explain how the available jobs with a degree in history will meet your career objectives.

The reality is there are a variety of job prospects with a history degree that would be of great benefit to many different industries ad fields. But it would behoove most students to refine their thinking and ask more pointed questions like –

  • What jobs can you get with a history degree if you want to teach?
  • Are the jobs you can get with a history degree have a salary that will meet your requirements?
  • What jobs can I get with a degree in history that would allow me to travel the world?
  • What jobs can you get with a degree in history at the associates degree level?
  • Are there jobs you can get with a degree in history that are available in the region you wish to live in?
  • Which jobs with a history degree require a graduate degree to become eligible for employment?
  • What jobs can you get with a history degree that is earned online?
  • What job can you get with a history degree if you would like to work in a museum?

A degree in history creates great capacity and skills for students that are applicable in many different professional applications. This great capacity is one of the primary reasons that there is such a wide variety of available jobs with a degree in history – across sectors and even the world. Because the study of history builds a complex and comprehensive frame of reference, history majors approach the world with a more extensive capacity and insight to understand what is coming next, based on the knowledge of historical and human behavioral patterns.

Said another way, a history degree provides you with the necessary skills to apply to a wide range of careers.  A comprehensive list of possible jobs you can get with a history degree would be quite extensive. However, the jobs you can get with a degree in history will likely be dependent on the level of the academic degree you hold.

Jobs with a History Degree

Many jobs that you can get with a history degree are available, from business to academia.

It is worth noting that many history graduates will find available jobs with a history degree that require the gathering and analysis of data/information from many sources. Still, other jobs with a history degree require history majors to construct arguments, maintain refined communication skills, present findings, and view events from many perspectives to gain a greater understanding. 

Consider this partial list of career options for those who hold a history degree –

  • Archaeology – archeologists can choose to work in the field (i.e., excavation) or work in research. Archeologists can specialize in their fields, perhaps working in coins or inscriptions.
  • Museum Curator – this is a position that requires an understanding of history with a talent for administration and an inclination to museum work aesthetics.
  • Archivist – these are the experts in preservation who understand how to preserve parchment, microfiche/film, etc.
  • Historian – studies and researches written works of history.
  • History Expert – works in movie production or research.
  • History Teacher – depending on the level of education, an advanced degree in history or education may be necessary for high school teachers.

Degree Types- Associates, Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Doctoral

A degree in history prepares history major graduates for a multitude of careers, but the available careers are typically contingent on one’s education level.

Online students learn more than dates and facts. Critical thinking skills, historical methods, and othe transferable skills make up the core of online programs in history. Whether you’re learning about Western Civilization, World War I, World War II, European History, American History, World History, or any other period, your history education gives you a foundation to pursue careers in many areas.

Associates Degree in History

Students who choose to earn an associates degree in history online or on-campus typically take introductory coursework in history plus a comprehensive general education requirement. An on-campus or online history associates degree is often available at community colleges because many students enrolled in online associates degree in history programs choose to transfer to a four-year institution to complete their baccalaureate degree.

Bachelors Degree in History

An on-campus or online degree in history is offered universities by many institutions of higher education across the United States.  Online history degrees typically require students to complete 120 semester credits over a four year period. However, students can often find an online bachelor’s degree in history that is offered in an accelerated format or as a dual degree program with a graduate-level related degree program.

Those enrolled in a bachelor’s in history online or on-campus program will attend lectures, study groups, seminars, and other relevant presentations. If, as a student attending an online degree in history program, there is a particular period or aspect of history that you find appealing, the program you choose for your undergraduate degree should offer this specialty or allow for you to customize your online degree in history program.

For example, online history degrees may offer an academic emphasis in art history, ancient history, or perhaps, modern history.  Still, other online bachelors degree in history programs will offer more specialized concentrations like the history of medicine, fashion, science, warfare, architecture, or consumerism, among others.

However, it is noted that many history majors choose to pursue graduate online history degrees to be able to reach their personal career objectives. An online bachelor of arts may be the first step in a long educational journey.

Masters Degree in History

Those who wish to delve deep into a career as a historian will typically be required to earn a masters in history online or on-campus. An online masters in history degree program typically requires about two years to complete; however, it is not unusual to find an on-campus or online masters degree in history that offers an accelerated option to qualified students.

In addition, most on-campus or online masters in history degree programs require students to complete a thesis, a practicum, or a culminating capstone project, sometimes more than one. Transfer students can use their online courses to finish graduate school faster.

Students graduating from a masters in history online degree program enter the workforce as adjunct professors, researchers, archivists, or members of a museum’s staff, to name a few. Graduates who have earned their masters in history online or on-campus may also choose to move onto a postgraduate degree or historical research.

Graduates who have earned their masters degrees in history online develop strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills that are easily and readily applied to the management of many business operations. In addition, those who have earned an on-campus or online masters in history degree are independent workers who understand deadlines and have the ability to manage fast-paced business settings.

The next level after earning an online masters degree in history would be that of a doctor of philosophy or doctoral degree.

Doctorate Degree in History

History majors who wish to reach the top of their fields should consider eventually earning their doctorate in history online or on-campus. A Ph.D., or an earned history doctorate online offers professionals the opportunity to explore the area of history that they find most appealing. Depending on the program, history doctorates online or on-campus typically require about 5 to 8 years to complete. Once earned, a doctorate of history online or on-campus earned degree qualified the holder to most careers in academia or research.

To complete your online doctorate in history, online history doctorate candidates are required to complete a lengthy (think book-length) dissertation in support of a theoretical concept of your choice.

Doctorate in history online candidates typically have an aspect or part of history they find especially intriguing, one they wish to explore further and in greater detail. However, it is noted that the field for jobs for those who hold an on-campus or online history doctorate degree can sometimes be competitive, depending on the market and the exact position the doctorate of history online degree holder seeks.

Earning a history doctorate online or on-campus is a serious commitment. Students interested in pursuing this elite degree should contact the faculty of those schools that offer history doctorates online or on-campus to discuss potential options. Finally, many universities offer dual degree programs that include an online history doctorate and graduate degree together to save the student time and money.

Accreditation

When considering your education options at a college level, the process of accreditation is extremely important. In the U.S., there are two primary levels of accreditation, regional and specialized. Most accredited online history degree programs will have been accredited through the USDE – the U.S. Dept. of Education. It is important to determine if the academic history degree you seek is an on-campus or online history degree accredited by a government oversight agency.

The importance of accreditation impacts essential issues like a student’s ability to transfer credits earned from accredited online degrees in history programs. Many institutions of higher education only accept credits earned from a regionally accredited higher learning school. 

Certifications/Licensure

A college-level certificate program offers professionals opportunities to add to their education and expertise. There are many different online history certificate programs, as well as certificate programs available on-campus in more traditional settings.

History certificate programs online provide history professionals with the most up to date skills and technological advances in their chosen field of expertise. Here are a few certificate program examples available –

  • Gender and Development – prepares students to work on equality issues based on gender.
  • Women’s Studies – augments the historical perspective of women’s issues. 
  • African Studies – offers tremendous insight into the historical study of the African continent.
  • Latin American Studies – presents an interdisciplinary study of the historical perspectives of Latin America.
  • Medieval Archaeology – prepares students with unique analytical and field skills to study medieval history.
  • Second Language Acquisition – this is a great option for those who wish to teach abroad or in an ESL program.

Scholarships for History Majors

Like most academic majors, the field of history offers scholarships for history majors to students at all levels of education. Online students have to consider financial aid. These scholarships for history majors in college provide many with the opportunity to help pay for their educational endeavors with the use of scholarship funds.

Fortunately, there are a large variety of scholarships for history majors, that range from history scholarships for high school seniors to scholarship specifically for women, among others.

College Scholarships for History Majors

Catherine W. Pierce Scholarship – offers up to a $5,000 scholarship to students studying art or history at an accredited baccalaureate degree program. Students must be a citizen, submit an essay, and have at least a 2.5 GPA.

Enid Hall Griswold Memorial Scholarship – offers up to a $5,000 scholarship (nonrenewable) to students studying history, political science, economics, or governmental operations.

Scholarships for History Graduate Students

DAR Centennial Scholarship – offers up to $2,500 (nonrenewable) to students enrolled in a graduate history program in historic preservation. Financial need is part of the award’s consideration.

History Scholarships for High Schoolers

Dr. Aura-Lee A. and James Hobbs Pittenger American History Scholarship – offers up to a $5,000 scholarship (renewable for 4 years) to high school students studying full-time for an American Government or American History degree, as it seeks to advocate for the study of U.S. History. To be eligible for renewal, award winners must maintain a Grade Point Average of at least 3.25. 

Related Content:

Best Online Associate’s in History

Best Online Bachelor’s in History

Best Online Master’s in History

Best Online Doctorate in History

Best Liberal Arts Scholarships

Ultimate Guide to Online Bachelor’s Degrees

Ultimate Guide to Online Master’s Degrees

Ready to start your journey?

Ready to start your journey?