Best Master's Degrees in History

Students can obtain undergraduate history degrees at the associate and bachelor's levels on campus, online, or in a hybrid learning format.

An associate degree in history is usually 60 credits of general education requirements (e.g., math, reading, writing, and science), core history topics, and electives. Students can expect to take introductory courses covering key historical perspectives, American and global events, and an overview of historical texts. Typically, associate degrees can be completed in approximately two years and culminate in an Associate of Arts (AA). Students with associate degrees in history may seek entry-level employment or continue their studies in a bachelor's degree program.

A bachelor's degree in history is a four-year program that includes approximately 120 credits of core requirements (which may be completed in an associate degree program), core history courses, and several electives. Students in bachelor's degree programs in history may have the option to concentrate on a specific historical theme or era. A bachelor's degree in history is usually a Bachelor of Arts (BA).

A bachelor's degree is required to enroll in a master's degree program for history. Some programs offer students the opportunity to pursue a dual degree in which students will attend school longer than the average four-year curriculum and graduate with a bachelor's and master's degree in history.

Students who are interested in enrolling in a master's degree program in history should fill out the online application on their prospective school's website. The majority of colleges charge a nominal fee to submit the application. Because each school and program may have its own admissions criteria, students should contact an academic advisor to find out the requirements and coinciding deadlines for each history program they're considering.

In addition to the online application, general admissions criteria for master's degree programs in history typically include:

• Official transcripts
• A minimum grade point average (usually a 3.0)
• Personal essay describing the student's academic and professional goals
• A current resume
• Letters of recommendation

Additionally, some schools require students to send a writing sample and their Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores along with their application.

When choosing a master's degree program in history, there are several factors that students will want to take into consideration. Depending on the school, graduate history programs will offer different concentrations and coursework, and students should review those offerings to determine what program would best help them meet their academic and professional goals.

Additionally, students who intend to enroll in graduate school while working part-time or full-time careers may benefit from the availability of online courses. Typically, distance learning programs (whether fully remote or in a hybrid curriculum) are cost-effective alternatives to campus-based curriculums, providing greater scheduling flexibility and allowing students to attend programs outside of their geographical region.

Perhaps most importantly, students should seek a college, university, or program that is accredited by a nationally-recognized accrediting organization. We will discuss this in greater detail in the next section, however, enrollment in an accredited school is required to be eligible for most financial aid opportunities.

Students seeking federal or state financial aid, scholarships, or gainful employment must attend an accredited school and/or program by a nationally-recognized accrediting agency. Higher education institutions receive third-party accreditation by meeting high academic standards, such as offering a reputable curriculum and exemplary instruction, as well as several academic and professional resources.

While programmatic accreditation is available for some specialized majors, history majors do not typically receive this type of endorsement. Students should instead attend a regionally-accredited school; for example, by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which accredits 19 states in the North Central region of the United States, or the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC that accredits schools in 11 states. Additionally, colleges and universities with distance learning programs may also receive accreditation through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).

Students seeking further information about their college's accreditations can visit the school's website or search the U.S. Department of Education's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP).

Most master-level history programs follow similar formats and include flexible curriculums made up of introductory courses on historical methods and perspectives, colloquiums, internships, study abroad opportunities, and, in some programs, a foreign language requirement. Additionally, graduate history programs may encourage students to concentrate on a specific specialization and choose between a thesis or non-thesis track.

The following sections aim to provide an overview of the foundational, specialist, and elective course offerings often found in graduate history programs.

History Foundational Courses

Students in master's degree programs in history usually begin their curriculums with a course in historiography and/or historical methods and theory. Historiography courses aim to introduce students to the various challenges facing historians in the field while allowing students to develop their critical reading and writing skills at the graduate level. A course in historical methods may also hone in on writing and reading skills as students are introduced to the different ways in which historians investigate the past.

A master's degree in history may also require students to decide between a thesis or non-thesis track. Students who opt for a thesis track must complete a research seminar to prepare them to investigate and write a thorough research paper on a specific historical topic. This option tends to be ideal for students who plan to continue their education in a doctoral program.

The non-thesis option, on the other hand, may take less time to complete and typically emphasizes practical training and project-focused work. Students may fill the remainder of their curriculums with more historical sections from their concentrations or culminate their studies with a professional paper and/or examinations.

History Specialist & Elective Courses

Depending on the concentration, students may take a variety of specialist and elective coursework that includes seminar and reading courses. Oftentimes, seminars cover historical materials pertaining to American, European, Medieval, Asian, and Latin American history.

Students seeking master's degrees in history enroll in seminar and reading courses that comprise the following topics:

• Women in Early America
• Civil War Studies
• Ancient Mediterranean
• French History
• Modern Latin American History

Licensure & Certification in History

Although most history careers do not require special licensure or certification, individuals may wish to pursue voluntary credentials to demonstrate their experience and knowledge in their respective fields. For example, archivists may wish to obtain the Certified Archivist credential provided by the Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA). To be eligible, individuals must hold a master's degree in a history-related subject and pass an examination covering several key topics: appraisal and acquisition, reference, preservation, advocacy, management of archival software, and the legal and ethical aspects of the field. Certification must be renewed every five years.

Graduates with history master's degrees may also wish to become high school history teachers, in which they will need to pursue teaching licensure. Students should visit their state's Department of Education website to find out what the eligibility requirements are to receive their teaching certification. Typically, most states require that prospective teachers take a skills test in their subject area, pass a background check, and complete practical training in the classroom to acquire their teaching credentials.

Although some students may opt for a general history curriculum that encompasses an array of historical topics and perspectives, many students choose to concentrate on a distinct thematic or geographic pathway. By selecting a history concentration, students typically have the opportunity to narrowly focus their studies in a specific area of history, as well as gain specialized skills and expertise. Graduate-level history students may also wish to include a concentration on their resumes in order to demonstrate what their research interests are as it relates to the history field.

The following concentrations are typically widely available across many history master's degree programs:

• American History
• European History
• Ancient History
• Medieval History
• Latin American History
• Public History
• African History
• Asian History

Students who have master's degrees in history may decide to continue their education in a doctoral degree program. A doctorate may be necessary for individuals seeking careers, such as researcher, lawyer, or history professor at a college or university.

A doctorate in history is typically 45-60 credits of rigorous, specialized coursework in which doctoral candidates culminate their studies with an extensive dissertation and defense. In many history programs, students are also required to complete teaching apprenticeships, a foreign language examination, and a comprehensive examination of historical context.

A doctorate in history may result in a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and students with aspirations of becoming a lawyer may decide to pursue a Juris Doctor (JD).

Other postgraduate options for a master's degree in history include graduate certificates in numerous history topics. Students may pursue a certificate program to improve or gain new skill sets, seek career advancement, or prepare for a career change. A certificate is usually 12-18 credits and takes about a year to complete. Common graduate certificate programs for history include Holocaust studies, history for teachers, American history, and medieval and renaissance studies.

There are several history jobs that pay well for graduates with master's degrees in history. Oftentimes, history majors are able to find employment across broad industries, such as journalism, education, museums and archives, libraries, government, and law. Typically, professionals in history careers possess superior critical and analytical thinking, research, and writing skills. Additionally, many history majors also have presentation and public speaking capabilities and effective communication skills.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2019, individuals who worked in history-related careers had an annual median salary of:

• Historian: $63,680
• Archivist: $53,950
• Political Scientist: $122,220
• Postsecondary History Teacher: $75,170
• High School Teacher: $61,660

Job Outlook for a Master's in History

The job outlook for careers with a history master's degree tends to vary, and graduates seeking employment in the field usually face strong competition. The BLS indicates that the job growth for historians is likely to increase by 3 percent in the coming decade. While most positions may be found in museums, historical societies, nonprofits, and government, the availability of these roles will greatly depend on budgeting.

Between 2019 and 2029, the overall job outlook for archivists is expected to grow by 8 percent. As the desire for information accessibility becomes more prevalent, job growth will be particularly relevant to applicants who have experience using electronic records management software.

Additionally, job growth for postsecondary history teachers is expected to rise by 4 percent (2019-2029).

How to Become a Historian

A historian's duties generally involve investigating, interpreting, and writing about past histories and events. To aid in their research, historians tend to utilize various sources to collect information, including documents, archives, relics, and other texts. Sometimes, historians may develop or contribute to educational programs and presentations in which they can communicate their findings to the public. Other historians may present their findings in reports or books, as well as work alongside government agencies, archivists, and curators to preserve artifacts in museums or at historical sites.

Historians typically need at least a master's degree to work in the field, and history majors who intend to pursue a historian career are usually encouraged to partake in an internship to gain on-the-job training in preservation and archiving methods.

To be successful at their jobs, historians usually need to possess excellent analytical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and research skills. They may also have foreign language skills which they tend to use when sourcing artifacts and translating older texts that are not written in English.

How to Become a Postsecondary History Teacher

Graduates with master's degrees in history may have the option to become postsecondary history teachers. Postsecondary history teachers work at colleges and universities and usually teach sections covering specific historical themes, eras, or geographical regions. Also referred to as professors or faculty, postsecondary history teachers are responsible for developing curriculum plans and lessons, assigning course-related projects and examinations, and teaching their students specific history-related subject matter. Classroom populations tend to vary, but it is possible that history professors may teach smaller groups of 40-50 students and even several hundred students at one time.

History professors should have superior writing, research, oratorial, presentation, technical, and interpersonal skills. Most graduates who hold a master's degree in history are able to find work at local community colleges (typically as part-time adjunct history professors), while some universities require that individuals hold a doctorate for certain teaching roles. In many instances, full-time postsecondary history teachers continue their own historical research and studies or serve on committees when they are not teaching in the classroom.

Pursuing a master's degree in history can be costly; however, there are several options available to students who need assistance paying for their education. Similar to the undergraduate level, graduate students can apply for federal financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligibility requirements are the same and include proof of citizenship or eligible noncitizen status, demonstrated proof of financial need, and enrollment at an accredited college or university.

Additionally, students may search for and apply to several graduate-level scholarships online, including those through a particular school or program, or a student's personal interests. Other options for financial aid may come through state aid, employer tuition reimbursement programs, or military/veteran academic benefits.

Students can inquire with their school's financial aid office to learn more about tuition and financing, federal financial aid, and scholarship opportunities.

DAR Centennial Scholarship

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Centennial Scholarship is offered to current graduate students studying historic preservation at an accredited college or university. To be considered, applicants should submit a personal statement describing their career objectives, official transcripts, a current resume, 2-4 letters of recommendation, and a form of identification (passport, citizenship papers, or birth certificate) to the email address provided on the website. Two students will be selected as winners of a one-time $2,500 award.

Huguenot Society of South Carolina Graduate Scholarship

The Huguenot Society of South Carolina Graduate Scholarship is available to graduate students pursuing a master's degree in history. Applicants need to submit two hard copies of an original, unpublished essay on any aspect of Huguenot history that meets the following criteria:

• No more than 25 typed pages
• Double-spaced text with one-inch margins
• Must include any footnotes
• Follows the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th Edition

One winner will be selected for a $1,000 award and will have their essay published in the Transactions of the Huguenot Society of South Carolina.