2023 Best Online Bachelor's Degrees in History

Overview of Online History Degrees

At root, one goal is common to all history degrees: to equip learners with the tools to critically study the past. The sophistication of these tools depends on which degree level you're studying for, along with your previous education in history. Professors are often less concerned with how well you memorize facts than with how you're able to present and defend your viewpoint on how and why events occurred.

No degree program can fully encompass all of world history, so students often select a concentration to help focus their learning on a particular era or place. Programs tend to get narrower and more specialized the higher your education continues, with doctoral students often writing dissertations to advance research on relatively niche topics.

What Types of History Degrees Are Available?

One consideration is whether to earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Your history major won't involve the fine arts or life sciences; the curriculum might feature a small difference in general education classes. For example, a BA might require a year of foreign language classes, while a BS at the same school may call for an extra math or statistics course. Most history programs are associate of arts, bachelor of arts, or master of arts degrees, but some schools offer science-focused variations.

History is a broad subject, so you have wide latitude to choose a degree that suits you. Thus, before beginning your college journey, consider what level of degree you're ultimately seeking:

• Bachelor's degrees in history cover more history subject matter in 120 credit hours, which is designed to last four years but usually takes longer. You typically take a world history sequence and courses in the focus area of your choice. You'll also complete a set of liberal arts general education classes.
• Master's degrees in history give opportunities for advanced, specialized research. They usually call for 30-40 credits of history courses, which can take one or two full-time years or two to three part-time years. Most programs culminate in a thesis based on in-depth original research.

Core Courses for a History Degree

History degrees cover subjects, events, concepts, and cultures from the entire history of humanity, and beyond. Along with discovering important facts, people, and places, you'll learn new research methods and analyze data in order to understand their importance better. You'll then apply said research to a capstone project or thesis paper to present at the end of your program.

Below are some core classes that you'll encounter during your history studies:

Should History Majors Get a Concentration?

History degree concentrations, or majors, can help you narrow your expertise in a given area and allow you to pursue a more specialized career. With this specialization, you can seek employment in one area, be it economics or science, thanks to your deep understanding of the field.

Examples of majors can often be broken down into themes or geographic areas. For example, if you are most interested in the continent of Asia, you can explore a major in South Asian or East Asian studies. Or you may prefer to study a specific theme, such as the history of politics or education. North American history is perhaps the most common area of study for bachelor's degrees. However, thematic concentrations are increasingly popular, especially those examining gender, race, and ethnicity, and sexuality across time and space.

What Jobs Can I Get With an Online Degree in History?

As a history graduate, your career is largely dependent on your major. For example, a concentration in economics or marketing can be turned into a career as a market research analyst. With a major in education, you may pursue your teacher's license to become a high school history teacher. Even without a major, roles as a librarian, museum curator, or writer can still be achieved. Keep in mind, historians often require a master's degree in history due to the extensive research practices they're engaged in.

What Is the Highest Paying Job With a History Degree?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) compiled a list of professions within the field of history. It's no surprise that the highest paying roles came from positions at the executive level. Top executives earned a median wage of $98,980 per year. The BLS also reports that chief executives in the field of history likely require a bachelor's degree. Other potential high earning roles include management analysts ($93,000) and secondary school principals ($98,420).

Is a History Degree Worth It?

Earning a degree in history online can be worth it for several reasons. As discussed, there is ample opportunity to gain a high-paying role, or you may want to follow your passion as a librarian or writer while earning an average salary. Before you choose the best path forward, it's helpful to understand the pros and cons of a degree in history:

Potential Advantages

• A bachelor's degree in history is likely required to gain employment in the field. According to the BLS, 60% of professions in the field of history require a bachelor's degree.

• Your salary is likely going to be slightly higher than the national average if you hold a history degree. Another BLS statistic states that a professional in the field of history earns a median annual salary of $60,000. Compare this to the national salary for all occupations, which sits at $61,900 as of May 2022.

• You'll advance your skills in oral and written communication. History degrees require you to present and write research papers on various nuanced subjects. By the end of your program, you'll feel more comfortable as a public speaker, a skill that will no doubt come in handy during your professional life.

Potential Disadvantages

• Some history professions require a master's degree. If you want to become a postsecondary teacher, education administrator, or a lawyer, you'll need an advanced degree.

• You will be forced to confront uncomfortable, and at times painful, moments in history. Many programs explore disturbing subject matter, such as the reign of Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany or the transatlantic slave trade.

• You may miss out on subjects that truly interest you. If you're particularly passionate about, let's say, the history of Eastern European politics or women's and gender history, you may not get the opportunity to explore those subjects. There is a near-unlimited amount of topics that can be covered in a history degree and not everything can be discussed in the span of a four-year program. Make sure that the program you're interested in hosts courses or concentrations in your desired specialty.

Is a History Major a Good Fit for Me?

History might be a good major for you if you're enthralled with the subject matter. But you should understand that alumni of history bachelor's programs earn median annual salaries of $60,000, which is less than the $69,368 median wage for all bachelor's-level employees. What's more, the $60,000 figure comes from a Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) dataset in which half of the history majors have advanced degrees, which would tend to raise their earning potential.

But nobody should choose a major that doesn't excite them just because it might lead to a higher paying job. Future earnings might be a major factor in your decision, but it's just one of many.

FAQs About Online History Degrees

Bottom Line

History graduates are capable of attaining a wide range of careers in corporate businesses, education institutions, and even the art world, with an above-average salary. If you're finding it difficult to pin down a direction, and you're asking yourself "what should I study if I love history?," the answer may not lie with a general history degree. Instead, you may want to explore more niche education tracks, such as anthropology, archeology, or art history.

Some history graduates go on to pursue a master's degree in teaching in order to become a college history professor. Or, earn a master's in history to pursue a research position at a university. Whether a career in education is of interest to you or not, there are numerous routes you can take that apply your newfound skills in problem solving and public speaking, as well as your understanding of culture and humanity.