What Jobs am I Qualified For With A History Degree?

Graduates with a history degree can pursue careers in education, library science, museums, the nonprofit sector, business, and the public sector. The degree also leads to opportunities in the legal field and communications.

A history degree emphasizes analytical, research, critical thinking, and writing skills. History majors also strengthen their persuasive reasoning and creative thinking abilities. These skills can transfer to diverse careers.

Many history majors pursue careers as lawyers, managers, and administrators, according to the American Historical Association. These roles may offer six-figure salaries.

Professionals with a bachelor’s degree in history earn an average salary of over $67,000 per year, according to PayScale data from April 2021. Many history majors also attend graduate school, which leads to higher-paying careers.

A U.S. history specialization focuses on American history from the colonial era to present. Many U.S. history majors further specialize in areas such as the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, 20th-century diplomacy, or U.S. social history. Undergraduate history majors often complete courses on the Civil Rights movement, U.S. economic history, and American environmentalism. At the graduate level, history students often conduct original research in their focus area.

The specialization prepares graduates for jobs like U.S. history teacher, museum curator, civics educator, and historian.

A medieval history concentration typically focuses on European history from the fall of Rome through the 16th century. Undergraduate medieval history majors study topics like feudalism, the relationship between European monarchies and the Catholic Church, and the Black Death. At the graduate level, learners may study Latin and read primary source documents.

The specialization leads to roles like European history teacher, medieval historian, writer, and museum worker.

A public history specialization emphasizes historical education and outreach to the public. During a public history program, majors take courses on topics like museum studies, digital history, and oral history. Students may also complete projects, like designing a museum exhibit or creating a historical website.

With a public history degree, graduates can pursue careers at museums, historical societies, libraries, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. They can also work in the digital humanities and historic preservation.

An associate degree in history introduces learners to different historical periods and societies. Students take survey courses in U.S. history, world history, and European history. The degree also incorporates general education requirements in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

An associate degree prepares graduates for support and administrative roles, including administrative assistant, paralegal, and salesperson. Many schools allow students to transfer their associate degree toward a bachelor’s degree.

A bachelor’s degree in history strengthens critical thinking and research skills. During a bachelor’s degree program, history majors study ancient history, U.S. history, and world history. Some history programs incorporate a capstone project, senior seminar, or research paper as a culminating requirement. Many schools also offer an online history degree option.

After completing a bachelor’s in history degree, graduates can pursue jobs in education, business, public relations, museum science, and sales. The degree also prepares students for graduate studies in law, library science, and history.

A master’s degree in history introduces learners to graduate-level historical theories and methodologies. In a master’s program, students often focus their coursework by choosing a specialization. They take graduate seminars in their specialization to prepare for a master’s exam or thesis.

Graduates with a master’s degree in history can work as history and social studies teachers, historians, museum curators, and archivists. They can also pursue a doctorate in history.

A Ph.D. in history prepares graduates for academic and research positions. For example, tenure-track history professor jobs require a doctorate. The degree emphasizes strong research, writing, and analytical abilities. Graduate students complete advanced coursework in their focus area and pass comprehensive examinations.

In addition to coursework, most programs include several years of dissertation research and writing before doctoral candidates can defend their dissertation and earn their degree. Doctoral students often spend at least five years in their Ph.D. program.

History professors teach undergraduate and graduate students in their specialty area, such as modern U.S. history, medieval Europe, or environmental history. They write lectures and assess student learning through papers and exams. History professors often conduct research in their field and publish their work in scholarly journals or with academic presses.

Historians examine historical sources to analyze and interpret the past. They use written sources, artifacts, and visual materials to gain historical information. After conducting research, historians present their findings in reports, academic papers, and presentations. Historians also conduct educational programs and work with museums or historic sites to preserve materials.

Librarians manage digital and print collections. They catalogue library material and assist patrons looking for books, newspapers, videos, and other materials. They also design programs for the public and educate users about information resources. They can work in a variety of settings, including public libraries, academic libraries, and corporate libraries.

Museum curators perform administrative and research tasks for museums. They acquire and store items in the museum’s collection and put together exhibitions to showcase the collection for the public. Museum curators also research and authenticate items and manage educational programs to teach the public about the museum’s field.