Best Online Bachelor’s in History Programs
Updated November 21, 2023
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Top History Degrees Online
Professionals with a bachelor's degree in history enjoy diverse career options. Graduates can work in roles such as museum curator, archivist, writer, and teacher.
Additionally, many history graduates go on to earn a graduate degree to prepare for roles such as lawyer, historian, and librarian. History graduates enjoy above-average earning potentials. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, writers and authors make a median salary of over $73,000 per year, while high school teachers typically earn over $62,000.
The flexibility of an online history degree program allows students to balance their studies with personal and professional obligations. This format also lets students attend programs throughout the country without relocating.
Featured Online History Degree Programs
Choosing an Online Bachelor's in History Program
Prospective students researching bachelor's in history programs should consider several factors to find the best program for their needs, such as available courses and concentrations, cost, and delivery format. For example, students should think about their career goals before choosing a school to ensure that their program offers courses and concentrations aligned with their target career.
Additionally, prospective learners should research a program's costs beyond tuition, such as technology and book fees. Students should also learn whether a program offers tuition discounts for in-state learners or charges all online students the same tuition rate, regardless of residency.
A program's delivery format also impacts a student's experience in a program. Some programs offer courses in an asynchronous format, which means classes do not require set meeting times. This format may appeal to busy students who prioritize flexibility. Synchronous programs offer more opportunities to connect with professors and fellow students, but do not offer as much scheduling flexibility.
What Will I Learn in an Online Bachelor's in History Program?
Students pursuing an online bachelor's degree in history typically take classes in areas like premodern and modern history and Western and non-Western history. Students can often tailor an online history degree to match their interests by pursuing concentrations in areas like American history, Asian history, or ancient history.
Online History Degree Courses
- World History: Many history programs divide world history surveys into two courses, with the first focused on ancient and medieval history and the second focused on modern history. Students learn about the development of settled communities and the first civilizations in regions like Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China. World history classes also explore the rise and fall of empires, trade connections between parts of the world, and conflicts that cross regional boundaries. Modern world history classes cover topics like imperialism, colonialism, and population growth.
- U.S. History: U.S. history courses provide an overview of the development of the United States, from its colonial roots through the modern era. Some programs divide U.S. history courses into colonial history, U.S. history from the American Revolution through reconstruction, and U.S. history since the late 19th century. U.S. history classes often cover political, military, cultural, and social history. Learners study topics like the legacy of slavery and the Civil War, the expansion of the U.S., and American imperialism.
- Historical Writing: In historical writing classes, history majors learn how to present historical material through scholarly writing, such as research papers, essays, and theses. Students also learn how to use historical sources in their writing, including primary and secondary sources. Students may read essays written by respected historians and complete writing assignments featuring different topics, source bases, and goals. Many historical writing courses cover citation styles and research methods.
- Research: In a research class — sometimes called historical methods — history majors learn how to conduct historical research. Learners examine how to identify and cite appropriate sources, and they may read historical writing to better understand the types of research that historians conduct. Students may culminate the course with a research project.
- Critical Theory: Critical theory classes investigate the historiography of topics through a theoretical lens. Topics may include gender theory, cultural history, Marxism, poststructuralism, and social history. Students may complete reading assignments and write essays analyzing historical theories.
Online History Degree Concentrations
Asian History
An Asian history concentration focuses on Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian history. Students may take classes on topics like ancient history, the political development of different Asian regions, and the culture of Asian countries. Students may also study Asia's military, economic, and environmental history. In addition to covering Asian history, this concentration connects Asian history with the broader world, exploring topics like the Silk Road, the Opium Wars, and World War II. Students may specialize in a particular era or region.
European History
A European history concentration covers medieval, early modern, and modern European history. Students may take classes on the Renaissance, European colonialism, and the political history of Europe. Courses may also cover the impact of the Crusades, the development of modern states like Germany, and conflicts between European powers. Many programs also incorporate classes on the history of science, women's history, and/or military history. Students may specialize in a particular country (e.g., France or Britain) or time period (e.g., the medieval era).
American History
A concentration in American history focuses on the development of the U.S. from the colonial period to the modern era. Learners study the wars that defined American history, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, and World War II. Courses also cover the creation of the Constitution, the diplomatic history of the U.S., and the growth of the U.S. as a world power. Many programs include coursework on urban history, environmental history, and military history. Students may specialize in a particular era.
Roman History
A Roman history concentration focuses on the growth and decline of the Roman empire, from Rome's foundation (traditionally dated to 753 BCE) to Rome's fall in the fifth century CE. Learners study the transition from a republic to rule by an emperor, the expansion of Rome's territorial boundaries, and conflicts with rivals like Carthage. The concentration also covers the decline of the western Roman empire and the continuation of the Byzantine empire. Additionally, students learn about the ancient world, including Sumeria, ancient Greece, ancient India, and ancient China.
Accreditation for Online Bachelor of History Degrees
Prospective students considering an online history degree should always check a school's accreditation status. Accreditation indicates that a school meets high academic standards. Liberal arts and research institutions generally hold regional accreditation — considered the best type of accreditation for a history major — while technical and vocational schools often hold national accreditation.
Accreditation benefits history majors in several ways. For example, only students at accredited schools can receive federal financial aid, and many employers prefer candidates with an accredited degree. Credits earned at an accredited institution are also more likely to transfer to other schools. Additionally, many graduate schools only accept students who hold an accredited undergraduate degree.
Prospective students can check a school's accreditation status through the websites of the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Online Bachelor's in History Careers
Earning an online history degree prepares graduates for roles such as archivist, museum curator, high school teacher, and writer. The following section covers several common careers and potential salaries for history graduates.
Archivists
| Median Annual Salary: $49,850 | Projected Job Growth: 11% |
|---|
Archivists process and preserve permanent records and documents that hold historic value. They authenticate, appraise, and preserve historical documents and classify archival records to make them accessible. Archivists also manage electronic records systems. Many archivists coordinate educational programs -- including workshops and classes -- and work with researchers to identify relevant material in the archival collection.
Archivists can work with diverse records, including manuscripts, photographs, maps, video, and sound recordings. As part of their training, archivists may take courses on paleography or the study of handwriting. Archivists may specialize in a particular era or aspect of history.
High School Teachers
| Median Annual Salary: $61,660 | Projected Job Growth: 4% |
|---|
High school teachers educate students on topics like mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies. Teachers with a history degree often teach subjects like U.S. history, world history, European history, U.S. government, and civics. They plan lessons, present material to students, and assess student learning through assignments and exams. Teachers also enforce classroom rules and supervise students during class.
Outside of the classroom, teachers meet with colleagues, grade assignments, and prepare teaching materials. Teachers at public schools must hold a teaching license. Licensure requirements vary by state but generally include a bachelor's degree, completion of a teacher training program, and passing scores on teaching exams.
Postsecondary Teachers
| Median Annual Salary: $79,540 | Projected Job Growth: 9% |
|---|
Postsecondary teachers -- also called college professors -- instruct undergraduate and graduate students in a variety of academic disciplines. History professors often teach general education courses and classes in their history specialty. They design syllabi, write and present lectures, and assess student learning through examinations and papers.
Many history professors also conduct research and present their work. They may publish academic books and articles, serve on committees, and present research at conferences. Tenure-track professors generally need a Ph.D. in history, but some two-year institutions may hire candidates with a master's degree.
Curators, Museum Technicians, and Conservators
| Median Annual Salary: $49,850 | Projected Job Growth: 11% |
|---|
Curators, museum technicians, and conservators work in museums to preserve materials with historic value and create exhibitions to educate the public. Curators -- also called museum directors -- oversee museum collections, manage research projects, and represent museums at conferences and public events. Museum technicians -- also known as collections specialists -- care for objects in a museum's collection. They also maintain records on collections and answer questions from the public about collections.
Conservators handle and preserve artifacts and specimens at museums. They may also conduct historical and archaeological research, including documenting findings and treating objects to limit deterioration.
Writers and Authors
| Median Annual Salary: $63,200 | Projected Job Growth: -2% |
|---|
Writers and authors create content for books, websites, magazines, advertisements, scripts, and other media. They select a subject and conduct research on the topic before drafting their thoughts, stories, and/or ideas. After creating a draft, many writers and authors work with editors to conduct revisions and create a polished final draft.
Writers and authors often specialize in a type of writing, such as novelists who write fictional books. Playwrights and screenwriters create scripts for plays, movies, and television shows, while copywriters craft advertisements promoting goods and services.
The Best Online Bachelor's in History Programs
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data and
the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
#1 Best Online Bachelor’s in History Programs
Florida International University
Miami, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Florida International University, located in Miami, facilitates online learning throughout 67 online degree programs. Of these programs, 36 are available to undergraduate students. The bachelor of arts in history is an attractive option for students seeking to advance in the history field. The history program prioritizes flexibility through full- or part-time study options.
Throughout their coursework, students gain industry-relevant knowledge during general and advanced classes. Students also complete general education requirements, developing additional knowledge. Majors choose electives, minors, and concentrations to customize their course of study.
A bachelor's degree connects graduates with numerous job opportunities and a higher earning potential. At the college, students earn a median salary of $41,500 six years after graduation. When preparing for the costs of education, students should know that the average cost of tuition and fees after aid is $9,888. Prospective students should contact the history department directly before applying, to discuss admission requirements, application materials, and other information.
Florida International University at a Glance:
Online Enrollment: 39,863
Total Online Programs: 67
Online Bachelor's Programs: 36
Admission Rate: 58%
#2 Best Online Bachelor’s in History Programs
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Located in Orlando, the University of Central Florida enables online learning across 47 online degree programs. Undergraduate degree-seekers can choose from 19 online bachelor's programs. The school offers an online BA in history program. Working professionals and busy students will benefit from the program's flexible study options and class customization.
Throughout their coursework, students gain industry-relevant knowledge through general and advanced classes. The program also incorporates general education requirements that strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills. While enrolled, learners can customize their studies by choosing electives, minors, and degree concentrations.
The value of a bachelor's degree is clear. Many graduates increase their job opportunities and earning potential. Graduates who have completed their degree earn a median salary of $39,900 after six years. The average undergraduate pays $11,617 in tuition and fees yearly. To learn more about funding opportunities and eligibility requirements, students should contact the financial aid office.
University of Central Florida at a Glance:
Online Enrollment: 41,097
Total Online Programs: 47
Online Bachelor's Programs: 19
Admission Rate: 44%
#3 Best Online Bachelor’s in History Programs
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Learners seeking flexible online study should consider the University of Arizona. Distance learners can choose from 24 fully online bachelor's degree programs. Distance students looking to earn an online degree in history can enroll in the bachelor of arts in history program.
The history degree supports flexible study, meeting the needs of every learner. Students can collaborate with their academic advisor to find classes that complement their career interests. Enrollees can also choose electives and pursue interdisciplinary study to fit their career goals.
Undergraduate students pay approximately $33,273 in tuition. The accredited institution connects students with internal and external funding opportunities, such as scholarships and fellowships. At the college, students receive an average of $11,157 in financial aid.
University of Arizona at a Glance:
Online Enrollment: 18,590
Total Online Programs: 95
Online Bachelor's Programs: 24
Admission Rate: 85%
#4 Best Online Bachelor’s in History Programs
Arizona State University
Scottsdale, AZ - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Students seeking to enroll in a competitive bachelor's degree program should consider Arizona State University. Students interested in distance learning will find the school's 54 fully online bachelor's degree programs to be attractive options for study. Learners in the history program are prepared for the demands of the history field through rigorous study.
The history program supports flexible study for learners from all walks of life. Students can collaborate with their academic advisor to find classes that complement their career interests. Enrollees can choose electives and minors to supplement their learning.
When calculating the cost of a degree, students should note the current tuition rate of $19,282. History learners can benefit from scholarships, fellowships, and other funding opportunities while at the school. The college averages financial aid award packages of $10,278 per degree-seeker.
Arizona State University at a Glance:
Online Enrollment: 44,167
Total Online Programs: 126
Online Bachelor's Programs: 54
Admission Rate: 64%
#5 Best Online Bachelor’s in History Programs
University of Maryland Global Campus
Adelphi, MD - 4 years
- Online
The University of Maryland Global Campus, a public, four-year college located in Adelphi, offers premier bachelor's degree opportunities. The institution supports 31 remote online bachelor's programs. The online bachelor's degree in history is an attractive option for learners seeking to secure a career in the history field.
History students can maximize flexibility through modified coursework and the option to pursue part-time enrollment. Students complete coursework relevant to the history field, with the option to choose electives and modify coursework. Students can also benefit from minors and other modifications to their studies.
Undergraduate students can expect to pay $11,976 in tuition. The accredited institution connects students with internal and external funding opportunities, such as scholarships and fellowships. The average financial aid award per student at this college is $4,484.
University of Maryland Global Campus at a Glance:
Online Enrollment: 52,298
Total Online Programs: 84
Online Bachelor's Programs: 31
Online Bachelor's in History Programs Ranking Guidelines
We selected the following degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
The motto of TheBestSchools.org is Finding the best school for you. Here is how we do it:
The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.
To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet — TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):
1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]
- Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
- Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
- Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
- Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
- Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
- Considers range of electives within that discipline
- Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline
2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]
- Considers education background of the faculty
- Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
- Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
- Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
- Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources
3. Reputation [weight = 20%]
- Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
- Faculty
- Curriculum
- “Freshness” of academic knowledge
- Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
- Suitability of graduates for the workplace
4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]
- Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
- Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants
5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]
- Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
- Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business
6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]
-
Considers the following of the online classes:
- Types of online technology used to deliver content
- Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
- Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
- Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
-
Considers the following of instructors:
- Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
- Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
- Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
- Ratio to number of students in a class
- Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees
Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.
To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:
- Accreditation
- Public or private status
- Acceptance rate
- Retention rate
- Graduation rate
- ACT/SAT requirements
- Cost in-state / out of state
- Undergrad, grad, or both offered
- Region
- State
- City
Get the best rankings here AND get them to suit your personal needs. That’s TheBestSchools.org advantage!
If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.
Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org's underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article "Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS./" Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the school or department's publishing activity, citations, and desirability. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: "Making Sense of College Rankings./" For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bachelor's in history?
A bachelor's degree in history examines different historical periods, including medieval history, U.S. history, and world history. These programs build strong critical thinking, research, and writing skills.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's in history?
Generally, an online history degree takes four years of full-time study to complete. However, students with prior college credits can complete the degree in less time.
Is a degree in history a BA or BS?
Most history programs offer this degree as a BA, which includes foreign language requirements. However, some online programs offer a BS in history.
What are the careers in history?
History graduates can work in fields like education, business, and law. With a bachelor's degree, graduates can pursue roles such as museum curator, writer, archivist, and teacher.
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