Best Online Master’s in History Programs

Want to strengthen your research, analytical, and communication skills while studying the past? Earning an online master’s degree in history might be a good fit. You can study U.S. politics, military history, public history, or another specialization while preparing for roles in education, museums, and many other fields.

Our ranking covers the best online master’s programs in history so you can find an option that matches your interests, budget, and career goals.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

A master’s in history can lead to many careers. Teachers who earn a master’s degree can potentially boost their salary potential, while a master’s can also lead to opportunities as a public historian, archivist, or writer. Graduates work in the public and nonprofit sectors, particularly in areas such as education and museum studies, in addition to roles in the private sector.

With a master’s degree, you can also apply to doctoral programs to pursue academic careers. Most history professors need a Ph.D., and a master’s can help you get into more competitive doctoral programs. Below are some possible career paths for history master’s students.

The communication, research, and analytical skills you’ll hone during a master’s in history program can prepare you for a wide variety of career paths. Below, learn how your skills as a historian can help you succeed in diverse fields.

History graduate students learn how to communicate information, which benefits them in the education field. Secondary school teachers, adjunct professors, and public historians all draw on their communication skills to educate people — and a master’s in history can help you advance or launch a career in education.

Public historians educate audiences about history, research historical topics that interest or impact the public, and plan historical exhibits and events. These careers require communication and research skills. A master’s in history with an emphasis on public history strengthens these skills.

Specialists in this field preserve culturally significant materials and promote the humanities using digital tools. Focusing on modern history or digital history can build the research and tech skills needed.

History grad students learn how to tell a story with data. The skills you’ll strengthen with a master’s in history can prepare you for a career in journalism, both in reporting on historical topics and in data-driven journalism. Grad school strengthens the research and analytical skills that journalists need.

Careers in library science require strong research and problem-solving skills, which a master’s in history fosters. While librarians must have a master’s in library science, history graduates can pursue research and archival roles in libraries. For example, academic libraries may hire historians to help students conduct research or manage special collections.

An online master’s in history program can prepare you for many careers in the public sector, including roles in public policy, politics, and social services. Historians can draw on their research skills to assess the impact of public policies or to analyze data on political trends. A master’s degree can also help government workers specialize in areas like foreign relations.

Nonprofits in the arts, historic preservation, and other fields provide job opportunities for people with a master’s in history. Nonprofit careers require strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which history graduate students develop. Think tanks and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) also need employees with strong research and data skills.

Museums hire curators and conservators to manage their collections and design exhibits for the public. History museums rely on historians to create effective programs, educate visitors about their collections, and preserve objects and documents with historical value. Museums may also hire archivists.

Historians provide many services at historical societies, including managing archival collections and planning events such as lectures, workshops, and tours. A master’s in history develops the research, public history, and communication skills necessary for jobs in historical societies. Specialists in U.S. history, military history, and public history can find roles in historical societies focused on these areas.

National parks rely on historians to give lectures to the public, lead tour groups, and manage museum collections. In fact, many national parks are at historic sites or national battlefields, which requires employees to possess a strong grounding in history. A master’s in history builds the knowledge and historical skills necessary to pursue diverse careers in the U.S. National Park Service.

Historians research human behavior and motivations, and historical research often relies heavily on qualitative and quantitative data. That can make master’s in history graduates a good fit for advertising or marketing careers, which also rely heavily on consumer behavior and data.

Careers in human resources (HR) require strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. Studying history can prepare you for roles in this field since you’ll strengthen data collection and analytical skills that are useful in HR. HR professionals regularly draw on their written and verbal communication skills, which a master’s in history also strengthens.

During an online master’s in history program, you’ll strengthen your analytical, research, and writing skills. In addition to core courses in historiography and historical methods, you can specialize your degree in various time periods and places. You’ll also typically complete a master’s thesis or pass a master’s exam to earn your degree.

Earning a master’s in history online typically takes around two years. Most programs require students to complete 30-36 credits. Graduate students pay an average of around $20,500 in tuition and fees per year, according to 2021-2022 data from the National Center for Education Statistics. However, the cost of online master’s programs varies widely.

Most programs require applicants to possess a bachelor’s from an accredited institution, and many set a minimum GPA requirement for admission (typically a 3.0 or higher). Programs might also require or prefer that applicants have taken undergraduate history or foreign language courses.

Application requirements can vary widely. Some programs require GRE scores, while others do not consider standardized test scores during admissions. The list below covers some of the most common requirements, but make sure to carefully review the requirements for your programs before submitting an application.

Many graduate students cover costs by taking out student loans or working while in school. That’s one reason working professionals may prefer an online master’s degree — it’s easier to work while earning a degree virtually.

You can also find other ways to pay for your degree, including scholarships, grants, and fellowships. For example, some universities offer online learning scholarships, and history master’s students qualify for several graduate student scholarships offered by private foundations and organizations.

Where can you find scholarship opportunities? In addition to the scholarships below, consider reaching out to professional associations or the university financial aid office to identify more funding sources.

Graduate students specializing in archival studies qualify for the F. Gerald Ham and Elsie Ham Scholarship. Awarded by the Society of American Archivists (SAA), the scholarship considers academic performance and a faculty letter of recommendation.

Applicants must complete at least three credits of core archival courses before submitting an application. Required materials include a cover letter, CV, transcript, essay, and one letter of recommendation. The annual award has a Feb. 28 deadline.

Recipients receive $10,000 and complimentary registration to the SAA annual meeting.

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) offers several scholarships for students studying history, including the DAR Centennial Scholarship. Applicants should be graduate students in the field of historic preservation.

Eligible students must attend an accredited U.S. college or university. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for DAR scholarships. The deadline for the award is Jan. 31. DAR awards two $2,500 scholarships each year.

Offered through the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI), the Richard M. Weaver Graduate Fellowship awards scholarships of $5,000-$15,000 to graduate students who intend to teach after earning their degree. The award supports students in the liberal arts, social sciences, and education fields, including history.

ISI awards up to 15 fellowships annually. Applicants submit required materials, including an autobiography statement, by the February deadline.

Can earning your master’s in history online pay off? A graduate degree in history can be a great way to explore the past and strengthen your research abilities. On the other hand, it does not prepare you for a specific post-graduate career path. As a result, you’ll need to carefully consider the return on investment (ROI).

In order to decide if an online master’s in history is right for you, research the total cost of the degree compared with the earning potential in your chosen field. An online format can boost your ROI if you’re able to work while pursuing a degree.