American history programs cover the history of the United States from the colonial era to the present. It is possible to earn a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in this field.
School Overviews
Profiled here are three schools that offer great American history programs. Two of them were recognized for excellence by U.S. News & World Report in its most recent rankings. The other offers an American history program entirely online. At these schools, students learn about the cultural groups, key historical figures, major events and theoretical concepts that have shaped the nation's history.
Harvard University in Cambridge, MA
| School Highlight: Harvard ranked #2 in the nation among schools offering U.S. Colonial History programs, according to U.S. News & World Report in 2021. |
In 2021, Harvard University was ranked second in the national universities category by U.S. News & World Report. Harvard is home to one of the largest libraries in the United States. In addition to a bachelor's and master's degree program, Harvard University has a doctoral program in the history of American civilization. In this program, students conduct high-level research in a particular topic of interest, leading to a final dissertation.
Chapman University in Orange, CA
| School Highlight: In 2021, U.S. News & World Report ranked Chapman University tied for #68 on its list of the most innovative schools in the country. |
U.S. News & World Report didn't rank Chapman University on the list of regional universities in the West in 2021. However, the Princeton Review included Chapman on its list of Best Western Colleges. The department of history at Chapman University has a Bachelor of Arts in History available with an emphasis in U.S. history. The curriculum includes courses in topics such as American art, Civil War history, women's suffrage, Native American assimilation and American history as told through film.
Ashland University in Ashland, OH
| School Highlight: The school offers a fully online graduate program in teaching American history and government. |
Ashland University offers a Master of Arts (MA) in American History and Government program in two formats: with or without a specialization in teaching. Both programs are intended for social studies teachers and other educational professionals in the field. In the non-teaching programs, students delve deeply into historical and political concepts, while in the teaching programs, students also take courses to improve their pedagogical skills. The teaching programs can be completed entirely online, but the non-teaching program includes on-campus coursework during the summers. In total, the teaching program requires 22 months of full-time study, while the non-teaching program requires only 15 months.
Top American History Programs
Now, let's explore the American history programs at a few other top institutions.
- More than 98% of students who graduate from Bentley University in Waltham, MA, find a job or enroll in grad school six months after graduation, according to a university poll.
- In 2021, U.S. News & World Report ranked Brandeis University in Waltham, MA, tied for #54 on its list of schools offering the best history programs.
- Delaware State University in Dover, DE, boasts that its history department is 'small and intimate,' and its faculty members provide one-on-one guidance.
- Students at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL, have the option to enroll in a dual admission program in history and law.
- Salem State University's location in Salem, MA, provides students with an abundance of nearby source material for studies of American history in the 17th and 18th centuries.
- At Suffolk University in Boston, MA, history students have access to nearby historical sites such as Bunker Hill and the Old North Church.
- U.S. News & World Report didn't rank Touro College in New York, NY, a tier 2 school on its list of best schools in the North in 2021.
For students who want to undertake formal studies in American history, there are schools around the country that offer top-notch undergraduate and graduate-level programs.
