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An online history degree takes you back in time to explore world-changing events, themes, and people. You'll learn to view events from a historical and cultural perspective while examining their effects and contexts. You can specialize in the geographic areas or time periods that interest you the most.
An undergraduate degree in history prepares you for a variety of career paths. You can work an entry-level history-related position, attend graduate school, or pursue an interdisciplinary career. To help get you started, here are some of the benefits of an online history degree, followed by our rankings of the best online history degree programs.
Reasons to Get an Online History Degree
- An online degree in history offers flexibility, allowing you to study whenever and wherever you want.
- Online learning accommodates a variety of schedules by offering accelerated, part-time, and asynchronous delivery.
- You'll have access to more schools and programs, helping you find the most suitable curriculum, faculty, and support services.
- Online programs may lead to cost savings through limited travel and lower tuition rates.
- Online history degree programs may bring together a more diverse global student body, which can improve classroom perspectives and networking possibilities.
Did You Know...
In 2019-2020, 8% of all bachelor's degrees awarded were in the social sciences and history disciplines, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
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Online History Programs
Our partner schools offer programs that help you advance your education while accommodating your schedule. Visit their sites to learn more about degrees, course offerings, start dates, transfer of credits, and more.
Top 10 Online Bachelor's in History Programs
Read About Our Methodology Here
These rankings include
#1 Best Online History Bachelor’s Programs
Florida International University
Miami, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $229 (in-state) | $346 (out-of-state)
Credits to Graduate: 120
FIU's 100% online bachelor's in history helps you hone essential research, writing, and communication skills. Throughout this program, you'll take a blend of general education courses and more specialized history classes in areas like Greek history, American civilization, and abuse of power in colonial Latin America.
To apply, you must submit an online application. If you're a first-year applicant, FIU requires high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores.
#2 Best Online History Bachelor’s Programs
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $179 (in-state) | $716 (out-of-state)
Credits to Graduate: 120
In UCF's online BA in history program, you'll develop critical thinking and analytical skills. In addition to taking general education classes, you'll take courses in major-relevant subjects such as world civilizations, history and historians, and professionalizing history majors.
Admission requirements vary. If you're a first-year applicant, required materials include high school transcripts, standardized test scores, and an admissions essay.
#3 Best Online History Bachelor’s Programs
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $390
Credits to Graduate: 120
Liberty's 100% online BS in history covers core topics like the history of Western civilization, survey of American history, and historical methodology. You can specialize in European, U.S., or world history or complete a more generalist curriculum. Online students also benefit from free electronic textbooks.
As a full-time student, you can graduate in as few as three and a half years. To apply, you must submit an online application and transcripts.
#4 Best Online History Bachelor’s Programs
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $500
Credits to Graduate: 120
Arizona Online's online BA in history program focuses on teaching essential research, writing, and critical thinking skills. Along with completing general education coursework, you'll take classes such as introduction to the study of history, medieval European history, and ancient Greek history.
Areas of focus include culture and language, English and literature, philosophy and religious studies, and psychology and human behavior. You can also participate in internships and a study abroad program.
To apply, you must submit an online application and transcripts.
#5 Best Online History Bachelor’s Programs
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $346
Credits to Graduate: 180
OSU's online bachelor's in history covers diverse topics, including African history, history of sports, military history, and LGBTQ+ rights in the United States. In addition to completing online coursework, you can participate in a public history internship program to get hands-on training.
As an online student, you'll have access to crucial student services, such as success coaching, free online tutoring, and career counseling. Admissions officers look for candidates with a 3.0 or higher GPA. You may submit SAT or ACT scores but are not required to do so.
#6 Best Online History Bachelor’s Programs
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
Portales, NM - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $281 (in-state) | $363 (out-of-state)
Credits to Graduate: 120
Through ENMU's online BA in history, you'll study topics such as introduction to historical methods, U.S. history, imperialism, and globalism. Before graduation, you'll dedicate one credit to compiling and submitting a senior portfolio in history.
You can choose from specialized courses in topics such as history in film and fiction, military studies, and diplomatic history. All classes utilize self-guided work, recorded lectures, and live virtual classrooms.
To apply, submit an online application along with transcripts and ACT or SAT scores.
#7 Best Online History Bachelor’s Programs
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $451
Credits to Graduate: 120
Established in 1891, BVU offers a fully online bachelor's in history. Here, you can take a long list of history courses and customize your curriculum to mirror your academic and professional interests. History classes offered include introduction to the historian's craft, America and the World Wars, and exploring the Holocaust.
To graduate, you must complete a senior capstone in history and submit a thesis project. You can apply online and must submit transcripts.
#8 Best Online History Bachelor’s Programs
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $410
Credits to Graduate: 124
MSU's online BA in history encompasses 39 credits of history classes and a blend of general education coursework. In this program, you can take classes in areas like American history, European history, military history, and environmental history.
MSU allows you to transfer up to 62 credits from previously attended schools. To apply, you must submit an online application, official transcripts, and ACT or SAT scores.
#9 Best Online History Bachelor’s Programs
Ottawa University-Surprise
Surprise, AZ - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $499
Credits to Graduate: 120
Ottawa's online bachelor's in history lets you take courses in areas like world regional geography, world civilization, and global issues using a historical perspective. It also offers a seminar on American history and government.
In addition to the standard history degree, future teachers can choose a secondary education concentration. You can apply online and must include official transcripts and pay the application fee.
#10 Best Online History Bachelor’s Programs
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit: $525
Credits to Graduate: 128
Maryville's online BA in history program includes core coursework in subjects like historical methods, women in American history, and American foreign policy since World War II. If you plan to complete a master's in history, Maryville offers Early Access, a program allowing you to earn up to 12 credits that count toward both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
As part of the program's graduation requirements, you must complete an internship and submit a history portfolio project. Admission requirements include official high school transcripts (or a GED diploma) and a minimum 2.5 GPA.
How Accreditation Works for a History Degree Online
When pursuing an online history degree, you should always check for accreditation. Institutional accreditation provides quality assurance for your degree and ensures you'll have access to federal financial aid.
Online history degree programs don't typically have programmatic accreditation. In fact, the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation do not recognize any programmatic accrediting organizations in the history discipline.
As long as your bachelor's program is offered by an accredited institution, you're good to go!
What Courses Do You Take for an Online History Degree?
The courses you take for an online history degree can vary depending on your areas of interest.
Many bachelor's programs in history require you to study a broad array of cultures and eras, using tools from fields like sociology, anthropology, political science, gender studies, and economics to examine the impact of and relationships between different historical events.
You'll likely take multiple classes on U.S. history, though often you can customize your coursework to focus on a specific geographic area and/or time period.
Many schools offer a huge swath of history courses. Here are some common classes you might take for your online history degree:
- African history
- Civil rights era
- Civil War and Reconstruction
- Colonial America
- East Asian civilizations
- History of Western civilization
- Latin American history
- Medieval Europe
- Middle Eastern history
- Native American history
- Roman Empire
- World War II
Did You Know...
There were 3,300 active historians across the country in May 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Jobs You Can Get With an Online Degree in History
As of 2019, more than 1.1 million working professionals hold a history degree, according to the BLS.
A bachelor's in history can prepare you for entry-level museum positions and teaching roles. A history degree also provides you with essential soft skills, such as communication, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. This foundation should allow you to explore many non-history-related careers.
After getting your online history degree, you may want to get a graduate degree to develop a specialization and advance your historical research and analysis skills. A master's or doctoral degree in history could qualify you as a historian, archivist, or college professor.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2021) | Job Growth Rate (2021-2031) | Minimum Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropologists | $61,910 | 6% | Master's |
| Archivists | $60,050 | 9% | Master's |
| Curators | $60,110 | 14% | Master's |
| High School Teachers | $61,820 | 5% | Bachelor's |
| Historians | $63,940 | 4% | Master's |
| History Professors | $78,130 | 7% | Doctorate |
| Librarians and Library Media Specialists | $61,190 | 6% | Master's |
| Museum Technicians and Conservators | $47,630 | 13% | Bachelor's |
| Political Scientists | $122,510 | 6% | Master's |
| Writers and Authors | $69,510 | 4% | Bachelor's |
Source: BLS
Q&A With a Real Online History Student
Q: What is the best thing about earning a history degree online?
"One huge benefit of distance learning is that it makes it possible for me to attend school and still work normal hours. The option to finish my degree online was one of the main reasons that I chose my college. … The biggest benefit has been the ability to fit school into my already busy work and family schedules."— Brittney B., Online BA in History
Q: What role has technology played in your online history program?
"Technology is just as important as [the] curriculum. I love the convenience of online classes, but the presentation and access has to work in order for the class to be beneficial. The Blackboard platform that we use has been great in this respect. … I plan to continue my education using online classes."— Brittney B.
Q: Has your online history degree helped prepare you for life after graduation?
"I think that the modern workplace is centered on employees' ability to be technologically literate. … The ability to learn new programs and remain flexible is something that is important to employers and makes an employee more marketable. To be successful in business, you have to evolve continually. I think distance learning is one way to keep up with the demands of the workplace."— Brittney B.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online History Degrees
Yes, many schools let you earn a history degree online. History programs work well in an online learning environment because these degrees doesn't require fieldwork and practicums. Instead, history degrees emphasize research and theoretical components, which students can learn and discuss without being in a classroom.
The length of an online degree in history depends on the level, school, and student. In general, associate degrees take about two years, bachelor's degrees take about four years, and master's degrees take about two years. A doctorate in history can take anywhere from four to seven years to complete.
An accelerated online history program can reduce the time to earn your degree if you can manage the heavier course load.
Yes. A history degree gives you access to many prestigious and desirable positions. According to the BLS, more than 45% of history graduates work in educational institutions, management occupations, or the legal field.
The demand for history teachers varies by level and region. The BLS projects a 5% growth in high school teacher jobs between 2021 and 2031. For postsecondary history teachers, the BLS projects a 7% growth during that same period.
Many students will find an online degree in history very worthwhile. A degree in history is essential for aspiring historians, museum curators, and history teachers.
History programs can equip you with valuable life and soft skills. You'll learn how our society has grown and developed, how to communicate effectively, and how to research and solve problems.