The best online master's degrees in history

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Master’s Degree in History

A master’s of history degree gives students the knowledge to work as a history educator at the university level. You may also work as a consultant for history materials, such as textbooks, or write about history for different sources. You study national and world history, as well as some natural history. Art history and military history are common areas of expertise for those who hold a master’s of history degree.

How Long Will it Take Me to Get a Masters of History Degree?

On average, a master’s program takes two years. This is if a student is attending school full time. If you are taking classes online and breaking up the hours, it may take you longer to complete your degree. There are some programs that combine a bachelor’s and masters of history for a total of five years of study. Combined degrees are usually comprised of 10 semesters. Many traditional schools offer fast track programs for masters of history degrees. Traditional schools also have distance learning or online programs for this degree.

Is it OK For Me to Get My Masters of History Degree Online?

You can go to school for a masters of history degree online and study at your own pace. This is helpful for students who are working full time and need to split their time between work and school. Going to school for an online degree is becoming widely accepted by different industries and the education field is one that’s especially accepting of these new degrees. Going to school online means you will access all of your school work and exams online. It takes a disciplined student to keep up with the syllabus, and you still have due dates for assignments, just as you would with a conventional class. The most important thing is that you have adequate time to devote to your master’s degree. Many students do not realize how difficult this is. For students returning to college for the first time in years, it’s important to get back into the routine of managing your time.

What is the Difference Between Getting a Degree Online vs a Brick and Mortar School?

The only difference is the experience. You do want to confirm your school and program are accredited, but beyond that, it makes no difference if you attend classes online or make time in the week for them. It is the same degree at the end of the two years and employers will view it the same. A master’s in history degree focuses on so much reading, independent reports, and exams, that it is one of the most ideal degrees to pursue online. If it is your first time attending classes online, you want to sign up for a program that has existed for a few years. This means the instructors are comfortable conducting online classes, which will make it easier for you to be successful. You will be given a syllabus at the beginning of the semester; it will tell you all of the master dates for major exams or projects. Besides this, students move at their own pace, though some professors require you to participate in class discussions on a messageboard. Instructors communicate via email and phone. If he or she has an office on campus, they will typically take online student meetings during conference hours, just as they would with a traditional student. The only thing to watch when signing up for an online program is proper regional accreditation, as well as an established program. This is one of the more widely accepted online degree programs, so it is easy to find one that has experienced instructors.

What Types of History Can I Study?

Some masters of history programs allow you to specialize in one area of study. A few of these are as follows:

• Christian history
• European history
• U.S. history
• Global/world history

Most masters of history programs are comprised of 30 semester hours. A certain number of these hours must focus on the specialized area of study. This will allow you to teach this subject or participate in research or work as a curator for pieces belonging to these genres.

What is Required for me to Graduate with a Masters of History Degree?

You must successfully complete 30 hours of coursework. Some programs also require you to pass a foreign translation exam. This may contain both oral and written parts. Not all history programs require this of graduate students, but the majority does. This will be useful as you explore jobs, even if you do not utilize the skill on a daily basis. The most useful foreign languages to learn are Spanish and French, followed by Japanese and Arabic.

What is the Capstone for a Masters of History Degree?

A capstone is often required for a masters of history degree. Students sometimes have a choice on which capstone they choose. Some may choose a researching and preparing a thesis, which is the norm for many history and arts degrees. Another option may be to take a written test and then present an oral report. This varies based on program and school. It is a good way for the department to measure your progress and what you’ve learned in the program. It is also helpful for students who may not be comfortable with oral reports, as well as those who do not want to work on a single paper to summarize their experience in graduate school.

What Kind of Job Will I Have with a Masters of History Degree?

The most common job you will have is teaching. You may work teaching at any level, including the college level. This is often the reason people seek master’s degrees in non-doctoral fields. These positions can be difficult to get, as most professors stay at their jobs for a number of years. You can work as a teacher’s assistant at first and may be the first in line when a professor retires. You can also work teaching grade school or secondary school history courses. You can work in historical records at the local, state, or federal level. This is often the job for people who specialize in U.S. or military history. Those with a master of history degree can also work at a museum. Large, urban cities are the best places for job opportunities for those hoping to work in a museum. As you gain experience, you can work as an appraiser or expert for auction houses. You can also utilize your skills as a historian to write.

How Do I Get a Job at a Museum?

Internships and volunteer opportunities will be the best route to take for getting work at a museum. You want to get to know the staff and show that you’re a team player and eager to share your knowledge with others. Working at a museum can be difficult because guides and experts often stay at their jobs for a very long time. Internships and volunteering can happen early on in your academic career. Do not wait until you’ve graduated with your masters to explore these opportunities.

How Can I Work as a Curator?

Curators are employed by auction houses, museums, and private companies. A curator evaluates an item and decides whether or not it’s fit for the project at hand. Curators are experts in their field and typically stay at their positions for a very long time. While this work is difficult to find, we will have many people retiring in coming years. Like working at a museum, a curator position can be had when you already know the staff working at the facility. Make yourself available to these places with volunteer hours and let your expertise shine. Volunteering at an auction house or museum is also great experience to take with you once you enter the work force. It further establishes your name as an authority on history.

Resources for Information Working with a History Degree

1. Historians.org Career Index
2. JC Sites – For History Students Considering Grad School
3. The College of Staten Island – Department of History
4. The Guardian – What Can I Do with a Degree in History?
5. University of Kent – History Degree
6. Inside Higher Ed – Avoiding the ‘Dustbin’ That is History
7. Archives.gov – What is an Archivist?
8. Archives Next
9. The Jealous Curator
10. U.S. History Educator Blog

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