Best Online Bachelor's in History Programs of 2021
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Students can become scholars of the past by earning an online bachelor's in history degree. The broad curriculum prepares graduates to work in government, museums, and schools. With a bachelor's in history, students can grow in their careers or meet the prerequisites to enroll in graduate school.
Learn more about an online bachelor's in history degree, including common courses, financial aid opportunities, admissions requirements, and the careers that await graduates.
Graduates with a history degree work in many sectors. Immediately after graduation, students may find jobs as museum technicians. Jobs as archivists, curators, historians, or conservators require students to earn at least a master's degree.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects jobs as museum technicians to grow by 9% through 2028. As of 2019, archivists, curators, and museum workers make a median annual salary of $49,850.
What Are the Best Online Bachelor's in History Programs of 2021? Here Are Our Top 10:
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| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida International University | Miami, FL |
| 2 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University-World Campus | University Park, PA |
| 4 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | Monroe, LA |
| 5 | University of Illinois at Springfield | Springfield, IL |
| 6 | Eastern New Mexico University | Portales, NM |
| 7 | University of North Alabama | Florence, AL |
| 8 | Arizona State University | Scottsdale, AZ |
| 9 | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville, TX |
| 10 | Oregon State University | Corvallis, OR |
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Our rankings are grounded in a few guiding principles and use the latest statistical data available from trusted sources. Read our Ranking Methodology. We hope our approach helps you find the school that is best for you.
2021 Best Accredited Online Bachelor's in History Programs
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| Rank | School | Location | Cost | Graduation Rate | Description | Toggle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Florida International University |
Miami, FL | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 58% |
FIU, located in Miami, offers an online bachelor's in history. The program provides students with a broad foundation from which to understand today's complex global issues. Students learn about the scientific breakthroughs, wars, family dynamics, mass migrations, and other events that helped shape history, from ancient civilizations through today. Courses focus on five main regions: Europe, Asia, Africa, the United States, and Latin America and the Caribbean. From the Black Death to 1960s America, classes cover a variety of historical periods. Graduates can pursue careers in a variety of areas, including education, library science, and law. FIU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Program Snapshot Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in History Admission Requirements GPA: No minimum requirement Contact the School |
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| 2 |
University of Central Florida |
Orlando, FL | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 73% |
Located in Orlando, UCF offers an online bachelor's in history. In addition to a full complement of general liberal arts courses, students take upper-level history classes where they focus on specific geographic regions, such as North America; Europe; Latin America; or Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Students have the option to add a related minor, choosing from areas like Africana studies, women's and gender studies, and pre-law in the humanities. All students must complete a final history portfolio, which they submit during their final semester as a capstone requirement. Most students take 13-16 credits per semester. UCF is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Program Snapshot Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in History Admission Requirements GPA: No minimum requirement Contact the School |
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| 3 |
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus |
University Park, PA | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 71% |
Located in University Park, Penn State World Campus offers an online bachelor's in history. Designed to prepare students for education, law, or government careers, the program provides a strong foundation in research, writing, and analysis, as well as a broad overview of historical events. In addition to a complete slate of liberal arts courses, students take two core classes covering American civilization. The focus then narrows in scope, from regional explorations to specific topics such as the Holocaust or American environmental history. Qualified students may join the Phi Alpha Theta national honor society in history. Penn State World Campus is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Program Snapshot Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in History Admission Requirements GPA: Not minimum requirement Contact the School |
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| 4 |
University of Louisiana at Monroe |
Monroe, LA | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 44% |
ULM, located in northern Louisiana, offers an online bachelor's in history. All students must complete courses in world civilization, American history, regional geography, and American government. The program also requires classes in public speaking and historical research methods. Students choose from electives like Eastern civilization, contemporary history, and the American frontier. All history majors must also complete an academic minor based on their interests. They may choose a topic after receiving input from their academic advisor. ULM is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Program Snapshot Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in History Admission Requirements GPA: 2.35 minimum required Contact the School |
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| 5 |
University of Illinois at Springfield |
Springfield, IL | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 51% |
UIS offers an online bachelor's in history. Designed to prepare students for careers in politics, law, government, or administration, the program allows students to complete courses largely at their own pace and provides support through interactive virtual learning communities. All students complete two courses in broad historical themes, such as comparative religion, women in the Middle East, or gods and heroes of early Europe. Students then choose a total of 27 credits of upper-level history courses covering topics such as ancient sports, the history of Christmas, Egyptology, and warfare. At least eight credits must be in non-United States history. Before graduation, all students must also complete a senior seminar capstone course. To enroll in this online program, students must have completed at least 30 credits of lower-division coursework. UIS is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Program Snapshot Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in History Admission Requirements GPA: 2.5 minimum required Contact the School |
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| 6 |
Eastern New Mexico University |
Portales, NM | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 35% |
ENMU, located in the city of Portales, offers an online BA or BS in history. The two pathways are largely identical, but the BA curriculum requires foreign language coursework. This history program mixes asynchronous classes, in which students view recorded lectures at their convenience, with synchronous courses, which require real-time participation with professors and peers. All students must complete a first-year seminar and an upper-level diversity course, as well as classes in American history, Western civilization, a non-Western world overview, and an introduction to historical methods. Students must also complete a capstone portfolio project. History majors must also complete an academic minor. ENMU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Program Snapshot Program Name: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in History Admission Requirements GPA: No minimum requirement Contact the School |
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| 7 |
University of North Alabama |
Florence, AL | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 46% |
A public university in Florence, UNA offers an online BA or BS in history. All students take courses in world civilization, United States history, and one class in historical research. The BA pathway also requires six credits in a foreign language. Participants craft a personal degree pathway by selecting two U.S. history electives and two non-U.S. history electives, along with three additional upper-level electives. History majors must select an academic minor or second major in partnership with their academic advisor. The program also requires a senior thesis consisting of an advanced research project. Students must also pass the Praxis II exam. UNA is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Program Snapshot Program Name: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in History Admission Requirements GPA: 2.25 minimum required Contact the School |
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| 8 |
Arizona State University |
Scottsdale, AZ | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 14% |
Located in Scottsdale, ASU offers a fully online bachelor's in history. The interdisciplinary program gives students a strong foundational understanding of the political, social, cultural, and economic factors affecting the modern world. The research-oriented program also teaches practical analytical and documentation skills. Many graduates go on to work as intelligence officers or museum curators. In addition to liberal arts requirements, all history students take broad history courses (e.g., global history to 1500), comparative history classes (e.g., witchcraft and Christianity in the Atlantic world), and classes covering other related topics (e.g., the history of fashion). Students receive wide latitude to select the courses that best meet their personal interests and career goals. Online students may also participate in research placement and study-abroad opportunities. The program also offers a 4+1 accelerated bachelor's to master's path. ASU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Program Snapshot Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in History Admission Requirements GPA: 3.0 minimum in competency courses required Contact the School |
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| 9 |
Sam Houston State University |
Huntsville, TX | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 52% |
A public university located in Huntsville, Texas, SHSU offers an online bachelor's in history. In addition to history coursework, students must complete a foreign language requirement and an academic minor. They can also earn a teaching certificate. The flexible program allows students to focus on areas of personal interest. Some potential specialties include military history, European history, and African American history. All students must take overview courses in U.S. and world history, and choose several more narrowly focused classes covering American, European, and world history. SHSU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Program Snapshot Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in History Admission Requirements GPA: Minimum 2.25 required Contact the School |
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| 10 |
Oregon State University |
Corvallis, OR | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 67% |
A public research university in Corvallis, OSU offers a fully online bachelor's in history. Students must complete the school's baccalaureate and College of Liberal Arts core requirements, in addition to the history major series. Learners complete history surveys and global historical literacy courses. They then choose 12 credits of history electives (e.g., military history, the global history of sports, and lesbian and gay rights in the modern U.S.) to design a more focused degree path. All students also take a capstone course and a senior seminar. Participants have the option of completing a minor. OSU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Program Snapshot Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in History Admission Requirements GPA: 3.0 or higher preferred Contact the School |
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| 11 |
The Baptist College of Florida |
Graceville, FL | Graduation Rate: 62% |
A Christian university in Graceville, BCF offers an online bachelor of science inhistory and social studies secondary education. Designed for Christian educators, the program prepares students to teach social studies in middle or high school. The core curriculum includes 12 theological foundation credits. The program covers topics like teaching diverse populations, history of economic thought, and philosophy of the Christian school movement. When applying, individuals must include a recommendation letter from their pastor attesting to their commitment to strong personal judgment, financial responsibility, Christian service, and other character traits. BCF is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Program Snapshot Program Name: Bachelor of Science in History and Social Studies Secondary Education Admission Requirements GPA: No minimum requirement Contact the School |
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| 12 |
Washington State University |
Pullman, WA | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 59% |
A public research university in Pullman, WSU offers a fully online bachelor's in history. Graduates often go on to pursue careers in education, politics, or law. In addition to the general education classes required of all undergraduates, history majors must complete two courses each in U.S. and European history, as well as three courses in non-Western history. They then choose a concentration focusing on the history of the United States, Europe, or the Atlantic. All students must also take a senior seminar in history. WSU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Program Snapshot Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in History Admission Requirements GPA: No minimum requirement Contact the School |
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| 13 |
King University |
Bristol, TN | Graduation Rate: 52% |
A Presbyterian school in Bristol, Tennessee, King offers a fully online bachelor's in history. This Christianity-centered program requires participants to complete courses in citizenship and Christian thought, as well as history topics such as the Civil War, Cold War, and the Middle Ages. All students must also complete a capstone history seminar consisting where they finish an in-depth research project. Many graduates of this program go on to teach history at the 6-12 grade levels. Faculty deliver online classes in five-week terms. King is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Program Snapshot Program Name: Bachelor of Science in History Admission Requirements GPA: 2.2 minimum required Contact the School |
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| 14 |
University of Arizona |
Tucson, AZ | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 64% |
A public research university based in Tucson, UofA offers a fully online bachelor's in history. In addition to history major requirements, students must also complete an academic minor or a double major. History students must take classes from at least four of five designated history areas: European history, Asian/African/Middle Eastern history, United States history, Latin American history, and/or thematic history (covering broad topics such as epidemics or the philosophy of history). The program also includes a capstone project where students conduct original research and write a 20-page paper. UofA is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Program Snapshot Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in History Admission Requirements GPA: No minimum requirement Contact the School |
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| 15 |
Nicholls State University |
Thibodaux, LA | Cost: $$$$$ | Graduation Rate: 45% |
Located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, Nicholls offers an online bachelor's in history. Pacing an emphasis in modern, military, and Louisiana history, the highly flexible program offers five eight-week terms per year. Students take three foundational courses plus classes covering U.S. history, European history, and non-Western history. Students then tailor their degree path by selecting at least 18 credits of history electives. All students must also pursue a minor in another field and complete a final capstone project. Nicholls is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Program Snapshot Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in History Admission Requirements GPA: 2.35 minimum required Contact the School |
Online Bachelor's in History Program Overview
An online bachelor's in history degree provides a comprehensive survey of the past. The curriculum gives students the context to analyze contemporary social, political, and economic issues. Students study Asian, Latin American, African, and Western civilizations. Specific curriculum varies depending on the school. However, all classes teach students the foundational skills needed for graduate school or careers in history-related fields.
Bachelor's in history degrees teach students how to build their analytical, oral communication, persuasive writing, and research skills. Students can tailor their education by taking concentrations in subjects of American history or military history.
Programs include courses like world civilizations and prehistory. Graduates find careers immediately after finishing the program as museum technicians, high school teachers, and researchers. Careers like librarians, professors, and historians require a minimum of a master's degree.
Common Bachelor's in History Degree Courses
- History of Western Civilization
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This course provides a survey of Western civilizations, including wars and the rise and fall of empires. Materials in this course examine major movements throughout history in North America and Europe. The curriculum also examines the political, religious, and cultural movements within Western civilizations.
- Political Parties
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Students enrolled in this class embark on a comprehensive study of government and politics. Every school differs, and curriculum may focus on a different political movement within history.
- Human Geography
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This course incorporates history, geography, and anthropology. Human geography introduces students to the settlement of humans around the globe over time. Students look at patterns to better understand historical, cultural, and land use issues. This course also considers the historical human impact on the environment and natural resources.
- 20th-Century Global History
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Students enrolled in a 20th-century global history class learn about major events and cultural movements that have shaped history from 1900 to 2000. Common topics include World War I and World War II, the Great Depression, and the Cold War. The literature in this course may touch on the spread of capitalism or the emergence of the United States.
- American Women's History
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By the end of this course, students have a firm grasp of how women have shaped American history. Students study the shifts in women's roles, legal status, and rights. The class provides a deeper understanding of the feminist movement in America and major court cases and laws that impacted women's rights.
Online Bachelor's in History Admission Requirements
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Online Application
Students must submit online applications through the college's website or using Common App, a program that allows students to submit one application for several colleges. The average college application requires students to submit personal, professional, and financial information.
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Transcripts
During the application process, students need to submit hardcopy or digital transcripts that show their grades for all college credits. Students most likely need to pay a transcript request fee. In some instances, colleges accept unofficial transcripts with the application, and then students later submit official transcripts upon acceptance. Admissions may handle acquiring transcripts for students in some cases.
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Essay
Colleges often ask students to submit supplement materials with their applications, such as a personal or professional essay. The personal essay outlines a student's background and goals. A professional essay focuses on a student's work background and choice of major. Essays are generally 1-2 pages.
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Letters of Reference
Students must include 1-3 letters of reference with their applications. The letters typically come from professional contacts, such as professors, mentors, or supervisors from work or internships.
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FAFSA
After completing a college application, students who need federal financial assistance must also fill out a FAFSA form. Students must complete their FAFSA by June 30 and renew it every year. The application asks for a student's, or their parents', financial information. The financial aid office determines how much aid to give each student based on their FAFSA.
Online Bachelor's in History Career Paths
A bachelor's in history prepares graduates for numerous potential pathways. Students either continue their education or enter the workforce after earning their degree. During their senior year, students can begin applying for graduate school to get a master's in history.
Students find careers in high schools, colleges, libraries, or museums. These positions do not require a license or certification. Any positions higher than entry-level — such as professor, curator, or historian — generally require a master's.
Related Careers
Frequently Asked Questions
- What can you do with a bachelor's degree in history?
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Students can enter graduate school immediately after earning an online bachelor's degree in history. These undergraduate credits satisfy the requirements to apply for a master's degree in history or a related field. A bachelor's degree also satisfies requirements to work as a researcher or museum technician.
- Is a history degree a BA or BS?
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Colleges may offer both an online bachelor of arts in history and an online bachelor of science in history. An online bachelor's in history gives students a foundation in the humanities, whereas a bachelor's in science gives them a concentration in the sciences.
- How much do history majors make?
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History majors earn different salaries depending on their experience and skills. Archivists, curators, and museum workers make a median annual salary of $49,850 as of 2019, according to the BLS.
- Where do historians work?
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History majors receive a diverse education that prepares them to work in many different occupations. Historians work in museums, schools, and government agencies. Museum technicians may work in cultural centers or museums. Graduates also find jobs in high schools as history teachers or at colleges as researchers and teaching assistants.
- What classes do you take in a bachelor's in history program?
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Students enrolled in a bachelor's in history program strengthen their research, communication, and critical-thinking skills. They take classes in East Asian civilization, American history, Western civilization, modern world history, and often finish off their program with a senior capstone.
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