Online History Degrees

If you have a passion for delving into the events, cultures, and people of the past, then an online history degree could be the perfect way to turn your interests into a versatile, fulfilling career.

The history of the world is what has shaped our present day, and those who go through a history degree program are able to utilize their in-depth knowledge to help build a better future for our society. Through the advancements in technology, online history degree programs have become an excellent option for busy adult students.

With flexible scheduling options and innovative software, it is now easier than ever for students to complete their education while juggling the demands of family and career.

Careers in History

Whether you are interested in the corporate world, curation, or teaching, there are a number of ways to utilize your online history degree!  Employers across a variety of industries are looking for knowledgeable applicants with inter-disciplinary skills, and a degree in history can help prepare you for a number of different occupational positions.

To give you an idea of careers associated with an online history degree, we have put together a list of common careers and their median annual salaries based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

History degree programs are popular for students that plan on furthering their education in law school, but it is also a great stepping stone to other career paths. From teaching at a university to managing a busy corporate office, there are a number of jobs available that can translate your history knowledge into a viable career.

Experience can play a large role in salary, and you may make more or less than the numbers listed above throughout your career. Please keep in mind that some employers look for a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to be considered for a few of these positions. 

Types of Online History Degrees

There are several types of online history degrees available from reputable universities, and the one that you choose depends on your long-term goals. From associate’s degree programs to advanced graduate degrees, students across the country can now further their education on their own schedule by earning an online history degree.

Most people are familiar with the standard 2-to 4-year timeframes associated with traditional associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs. Luckily, online learning options may be able to allow you to earn your history degree in far less time.

By taking an advanced course load, working through the summer, or applying for credits by examination or life experience, the flexibility of online education may allow you to put your education on the fast track to graduation.

Online Associate’s Degrees in History

An online associate’s degree in history provides students with a general overview of historical study and research. Through the course of this program, you will delve into several areas of historical interest to prepare for entry-level positions in jobs that range from historical research assistants to document archivists.

Currently, there are no associate-level history degrees offered online; however, you can earn your entire associate’s degree online in interdisciplinary studies and use it as a stepping stone for a bachelor’s degree in history. Alternately, you can bypass your associate’s degree and enroll directly in an online bachelor’s in history program.

During the course of this program, you can expect to cover a wide range of subjects that include:

• American history
• World civilization
• African-American history
• European and middle eastern cultures

More than just the study of past government and politics, a history degree program will also provide you with insight into social, economic, and religious factors that have influenced our past.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees in History

A bachelor’s degree program in the field of history builds upon the basic knowledge found within an associate’s program. Through the course of your online bachelor’s degree program, you will go deeper into American and world history and look at how the past plays a key role in influencing the present day.

When pursuing your online bachelor’s degree in history, some schools allow you to choose a concentration to enhance your expertise. These concentrations may include:

• American history
• European history
• Middle Eastern history
• Military history

As part of your online bachelor’s program, most colleges require in-depth research courses in order to successfully graduate. After completion of this program, the research skills you have learned will translate into a marketable skills across a variety of occupational industries.

Online Master’s Degrees in History

Take your historical knowledge to the next level by continuing your education with an online master’s degree in history. Through this graduate program, you will learn advanced research, critical thinking, and writing skills that can be used to accurately interpret historical data.

Whether you want to pursue teaching, research, or government jobs, a master’s degree in history can help you stand out from the crowd of applicants.

An online master’s degree program can be customized to suit your specific historical interests. The concentrations that you can choose from vary by school, but may include:

• American history
• Global history
• Public history
• European history

In order to successfully graduate from an online master’s degree program in history, students must also pass comprehensive examinations and in-depth thesis courses.

History Career Outlook and Salary Information

Completing an online history degree program opens up a world of job opportunities. There are several ways you can utilize the skills learned through the course of your history education in the modern workforce, including teaching, museum curation, librarian work, and government positions.

For more information on the specific career path you are interested in, take a look at the website of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website. The BLS offers valuable information on a variety of different careers associated with the field of history. For example, they project that historian occupations will grow 5% over the next 10 years. The average annual salary for historians is $63,940.

If you are interested in working with museums, there is good news for you as well. The BLS projects that archivist, curators, and museum workers will see a 19% growth over the next 10 years with a median annual salary of $50,120.

View a list of the top 40 history careers to compare jobs and salaries in this field.

Is an Online Degree in History Right for Me?

Whether you want to take your education to the graduate degree level or simply need the flexibility of online scheduling to balance your busy life, there are a variety of reasons why students pursue an online degree in history.

In addition to the flexible nature of virtual schooling, there are several other advantages that come from enrolling in an online history degree program, including:

• Customizable degree options that allow concentrations in historical fields
• Virtual simulations and experiences that provide a first-hand look at history
• Access to extensive online libraries and research resources
• Ability to maintain employment throughout the course of your degree program

If you have a passion for uncovering the mysteries of the past and want to use this knowledge to improve modern-day society then an online history degree program is an excellent option to further your education.

Comparing Top History Degree Programs

With the changing needs of their students, colleges have begun to offer many options for programs offering online degrees in the last several years.

With the multitude of choices available, how do you know which online colleges will provide you with the best quality education? There are several important factors to consider when choosing an online history degree program, and the information below is a good starting point for researching potential schools.

Accreditation

An accredited school refers to one that has gone through a voluntary review of its educational program. This process, which is done by an independent accrediting agency, ensures that the curriculum of the school meets the high-quality standards that its students expect.

There are several regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. By choosing a college that is accredited by a recognized agency, you are more likely to avoid the trap of enrolling at a “degree mill” school that does not have a favorable reputation in the field.

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

If you are taking on-campus classes, you likely understand the benefit of having smaller class sizes. However, low student-to-faculty ratios are important when taking history courses online as well.

Professors that teach in the virtual setting are more likely to be able to provide individualized support to their students when classes are kept to a low number of students. This is an important factor to consider when giving yourself the best opportunity to succeed within your online history degree program.

Academic Advising and Student Services

Successfully completing your online history degree goes beyond a quality curriculum – you also need the support of student services to get the most out of your college experience. Many top colleges offer advising and services to distance learning students that can help them succeed in their studies.

When researching colleges that offer an online history degree, you may find student services that include the following benefits:

• Virtual seminars and workshops on historical topics
• Mentorship from leading history experts
• Opportunities to intern in the career path of your choice
• Online discussion boards to connect with fellow history students across the country

If you are looking for a versatile degree program that can be applied to a number of fulfilling careers, then an online history degree offers students an opportunity to purse their passions.

With the skills and knowledge that you will achieve throughout your degree program, you may be qualified for top jobs across a variety of industries that lead to a satisfying, long-term career.