Cecilia is a freelance writer, content marketing strategist and author covering education, technology and energy. She is a current contributor to the Forbes Advisor education vertical and holds a summa cum laude journalism degree from California Poly.
Cecilia Seiter Education WriterCecilia is a freelance writer, content marketing strategist and author covering education, technology and energy. She is a current contributor to the Forbes Advisor education vertical and holds a summa cum laude journalism degree from California Poly.
Written By Cecilia Seiter Education WriterCecilia is a freelance writer, content marketing strategist and author covering education, technology and energy. She is a current contributor to the Forbes Advisor education vertical and holds a summa cum laude journalism degree from California Poly.
Cecilia Seiter Education WriterCecilia is a freelance writer, content marketing strategist and author covering education, technology and energy. She is a current contributor to the Forbes Advisor education vertical and holds a summa cum laude journalism degree from California Poly.
Education Writer Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Updated: Aug 4, 2023, 2:30pm
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History scholars strive to answer questions that can help us understand the past, human behavior and societal trends. For instance, how did the spice trade shape the modern world? How did prohibition promote organized crime? And was Napoleon Bonaparte as short as legend has it?
If questions like these intrigue you, consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree in history as a first step toward discovering the answers. A history degree can lead to various rewarding career paths toward becoming a historian, archivist, curator or educator.
Read on to discover everything there is to know about earning a history degree.
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A bachelor’s degree in history is a four-year undergraduate diploma that studies the historical record of human activity.
History majors analyze major historical events—like the rise and fall of the Roman empire and the origins of the Mongol conquest, for example—to understand how the past has shaped the present. Ultimately, a history degree aims to provide a deeper comprehension of the relationships between people and societies to add context to current issues.
Some institutions offer specialized concentrations of study. You may concentrate your studies by region, such as the Americas or Africa. Other schools also break concentrations down by thematic areas, like economic history, gender history or Jewish history.
It’s not uncommon for history programs to require a capstone project or internship for graduation. History students at Virginia Commonwealth University must complete a capstone history course that includes either a research seminar or an internship. At the University of Houston, students must complete a capstone course or substitute the capstone by writing a senior thesis or taking a graduate-level seminar.
Many online history programs consist of 120 credits, but this number varies depending on the institution. For example, Oregon State University’s online history program requires 180 credits for graduation.
The specific admissions requirements for a bachelor’s in history depend on the institutions you apply to. However, the following requirements are standard across the board:
The study of history extends as far back as humans have kept records. Understandably, it’s a pretty broad subject—which means you might opt to study a specific concentration of history. Below are a few examples of specialized areas of study for history majors.
In this concentration, students explore the history and culture of African and African American communities across the global diaspora.
Gender history encompasses the study of women, sexuality and the gender spectrum throughout history. Students explore the evolving perceptions of gender throughout history and how these perceptions have shaped cultures, economies and politics.
This concentration explores the global history of Jewish people, religion, culture and customs. Some programs might require a baseline understanding of Hebrew or Yiddish as a prerequisite to studying Jewish history.
World history concentrations offer students an in-depth view of non-Western history. Some schools might ask students to choose a specific area of focus within world history.
History courses are broad and far-reaching. Some classes focus on fundamental, introductory topics such as American and world history. Others dive into specialized areas of history, such as specific wars or concepts like religion and gender.
American history classes explore the history of the U.S. continent, from pre-colonization through the Civil War and beyond. Students learn about the major political, economic and cultural events that have shaped the U.S. since its conception.
World history classes introduce students to major events that influenced history across the world, from the development of agriculture and urban societies to wars and transcultural exchanges. World history courses discuss regions including the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Students explore varying topics related to the history of the Asian continent. Asian history courses focus on Asia’s diverse cultures and countries, as well as the historical issues that have faced them.
History scholars explore the past’s darker and often uncomfortable occurrences to better understand current and future events. This course examines the Holocaust’s causes, trajectory and lasting impact on Europe and America.
Religion and gender history courses discuss the intersection of religion and gender. Students read a series of case studies to gain a global perspective of how religion impacts gender experience.
A history degree is an excellent starting point for careers in academia and museum curation, among other fields. The below salary data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Annual Salary: $64,540
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions; master’s for more advanced research positions
Job Overview: Historians research and analyze past events. They archive and preserve artifacts and documents, contribute to academic research and publish their findings in papers, books and articles. Historians work in museums, research firms and historical societies. Some find work as independent consultants.
Median Annual Salary: $63,940
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree for assistants and fieldworkers; master’s degree recommended for higher-level jobs
Job Overview: Anthropologists and archaeologists study humans, both past and present. They examine the origins, behaviors, languages and cultures of humans around the world. Sometimes, this involves excavating archaeological sites of past human activity. They analyze artifacts like tools, pottery and remnants of old buildings.
Median Annual Salary: $62,360
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree and teaching license
Job Overview: High school teachers typically instruct students in grades nine through 12. High school history teachers specialize in helping students to understand historical events and how they shape the world. They plan lessons, grade assignments and prepare students for standardized history exams.
Median Annual Salary: $73,150
Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree for salaried writing positions
Job Overview: Writers and authors research and develop content for publications like books, magazines and newspapers. Some writers pen scripts and other content for TV, film and advertisements. History writers analyze historical records, documents and artifacts to inform their pieces. Some write biographies of fascinating historical figures.
Median Annual Salary: $135,740
Minimum Required Education: JD degree
Job Overview: Lawyers represent clients during civil and criminal proceedings. They advise clients on the best course of legal action in criminal and civil proceedings. They research and present evidence to the court and interpret laws to determine if they apply to their client’s case. Law schools reported the highest acceptance rates for history majors.
