Like other liberal arts majors, a major in history offers a solid base of critical thinking on which to build a career or further graduate study.

One of the very first schools to offer a degree program in history online, UMGC brings you nearly two decades of experience in teaching history in an online environment. Plus, if you’re based in the Washington, D.C., area, you’ll have myriad opportunities to find internships and part-time and full-time jobs in the field via public institutions and federal positions. Our alumni have gone on to work at such agencies as the National Archives and the National Park Service.

This program is also available as a minor.

About the History Bachelor's Degree

In the history curriculum, you can study a range of historical eras and geographical areas, including China, the Middle East, wartime Europe, and the United States. You’ll also dig into research and writing, learning how to lay the groundwork for and eventually complete a substantial original historical research project suitable for presentation or publication.

What You'll Learn

Through your coursework, you will learn how to

  • Research, interpret, and present historical knowledge
  • Write and speak clearly and appropriately about historical information for diverse audiences
  • Engage in history as a moral and ethical practice, recognizing a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives
  • Apply historical precedents to contemporary life and develop self-reflection
  • Achieve a deep understanding of the different peoples, events, and cultures that have shaped human civilization

Coursework Examples

In past projects, students have had the opportunity to

  • Interpret current events and ideas in a historic context
  • Focus on the ways in which race, class, ethnicity, and gender have shaped the varied experiences of U.S. citizens
  • Examine the art, religion, and literature of civilizations of various time periods and locations
  • Study World War II and other major conflicts from a variety of perspectives
  • Research, write about, and present the results of a project on a chosen topic

History Bachelor's Degree Requirements

Our curriculum is designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars. You'll learn theories combined with real-world applications and practical skills you can apply on the job right away.

Courses in the Major

  • HIST 115
    or HIST 141
  • HIST 116
    or HIST 142
  • HIST 156
  • HIST 157
  • HIST 289
  • HIST 309
  • HIST 495

Upper-level HIST courses (12 credits)

Focused study in U.S. or world history recommended, as follows:

U.S. History

  • HIST 316L
  • HIST 365
  • HIST 377
  • HIST 461

World History

  • HIST 326
  • HIST 337
  • HIST 392
  • HIST 480

 

Electives

The bachelor's degree in history requires 46 credits of minor and/or elective coursework.

 

General Education Requirements

Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may require you to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. See information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues).

Research and Computer Literacy Courses

  • PACE 111M
    or PACE 111C
    or other PACE 111 course
    (to be taken in first 6 credits)
  • LIBS 150
    or CAPL 398A
    or other general education elective
  • CMST 301
    or another computing course appropriate to the academic major

Communications Courses

  • WRTG 111
    or WRTG 291
    or other writing course
  • WRTG 112
  • SPCH 100
    or other communication, writing, or speech course
  • WRTG 391
    or other advanced upper-level writing course

Math Course

  • MATH 105
    or other approved math or statistics course

Arts and Humanities Courses

  • HIST 142
    or HIST 157
    or other arts and humanities course
  • ARTH 204
    or foreign language course or other arts and humanities course

Behavioral and Social Science Courses

  • ECON 201
    or PSYC 100
    or other behavioral and social science course
  • GVPT 170
    or other behavioral and social science course

Biological and Physical Sciences Courses

    • BIOL 101
      and BIOL 102
      or other paired science lecture and laboratory courses
    • NUTR 100
      or BIOL 160

Career Preparation

This program is designed to help prepare you for a future in politics, law, journalism, or education. It is appropriate for you if you have an interest in teaching history or social studies; working in public history archives, historic sites, museums, and galleries; or pursuing graduate-level study in history or law and public policy.



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