If you have an inquisitive mind and a curiosity for the past, a degree in history might be the right choice for you.
A history degree will help you to focus your studies on a particular era in history and to pursue the topics about which you are the most passionate. While a bachelor's degree in history is often sufficient to get started, earning a master's degree will skyrocket you to career success. You will improve your earning potential and enhance your opportunities for advancement. You can pursue a range of careers, including those as a curator, academic, or archivist.
However, if you want to earn a master's degree and are already employed, it can be difficult to find the time to do so. An online degree will make pursuing further education both affordable and convenient so that it fits perfectly into your busy lifestyle.
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What kind of history degree should you get?
When you are employed with a degree in history, you may be required to start off at an entry-level job in a museum or another related setting. As a result, your starting salary may not be terribly high – meaning you will want to pursue a master's degree that is not only of high quality and convenience, but is also affordable.
Furthermore, if you are already working, you probably don't want to have to leave your current job to pursue your studies. Even if you aren't working, earning a master's degree is a major time and financial commitment. Earning an online degree will allow you to complete your studies without having to leave the security of your home or current job.
Online degrees offer value and affordability. If you are unsure whether a history degree is right for you – or if you are looking for other affordable online programs – be sure to check out our ranking of Best Online Colleges and Universities for a more in-depth look at all of the options that are available to you.
How much money do people make with a master's degree in history?
Because there are so many career pathways you can pursue with a master's degree in history, salaries vary widely. In general, historians earn about $61,140 per year, with the highest paid individuals working for the federal government – these individuals have an earning potential of nearly $100,000 per year! Other high-paying fields include professional services, state government, and local government positions.
Organizations that employ historians show strong competition. Individuals with master's degrees or PhDs have significantly higher chances of finding jobs, as do those with practical skills or hands-on experience. The growth rate for historians is about six percent, which is slightly lower than the national average.
What can you do with a master's degree in history?
After graduating with your master's degree in history, you have a range of career options. You can conduct research for governments, nonprofits, historical associations, and other organizations. You will rely on a number of sources, such as governmental records, newspapers, interviews, and manuscripts. You may work to present, preserve, or interpret history, either for a report or for a specific group.
You could pursue a number of careers, including those as an archivist, curator, or museum worker. With a few additional courses in related specialty areas, you might also pursue a job as a political scientist, an anthropologist, a teacher, professor, or even a writer.
What are the requirements for a master's degree in history?
A master's degree in history will strengthen your skills in areas like historiography, research, and writing. You will gain specialized knowledge of particular periods of history, and also gain skills in areas like document preservation and archival management. Most programs do not require you to have prior work experience in order to enter the discipline, but most will require a bachelor's degree in a related field.
While some online master's degrees only accept undergraduate coursework from nationally or regionally accredited universities, others are less rigid in their admissions requirements. Most programs will require a GPA of at least 2.5, as well as the submission of GRE scores.
What are the best online master's degrees in history?
There is no single best online master's degree in history for everybody, but the best degree will be the one that provides the closest match to your personal and academic goals. You should be able to study in the format that is most convenient for you, and an online degree offers just that. You can study when you have free time, accommodating your work schedule while pursuing a degree at the same time.
The absolute best programs in history will be both affordable and of high quality. When we compiled our list of the best online master's in history, we examined the academic quality of each school. We also looked at the school's return on investment, which is a strong indicator of affordability, as well as factors like student satisfaction and program reputation among employers.
We always want to make sure that our lists of the best schools are as comprehensive as possible so that we can guide you toward a rewarding (and affordable) career. If you want to learn more about how we compile our final list, be sure to check out our methodology page, where you can get a closer look at how we crunch the numbers.
Our last step in presenting the best master's degrees in history is to narrow down the final list so that it includes only the best options. Our list includes not just the schools with the best programs, but also those that offer convenience and value. Check out our top picks as you take the next step toward an exciting career.
