A Brief History of the History Major
History majors keep their academic lens squarely focused on past events. People who study history are known as historians. Since the beginning of time, people have always attempted to document their world in various forms. The word “history,” derived from Ancient Greek, literally means “inquiry” or “knowledge from inquiry.” The 5th century B.C. Greek historian Herodotus is considered to be the “founding father” of history, according to Fordham University. He, along with his contemporary Thucydides, helped lay the foundation for modern history.
What all historians have in common, regardless of region, is that they examine, analyze, and organize the sequence of past events. They also investigate the patterns of cause and effect that dictate these events. The critical findings that emerge from studying past events are essential to knowledge of the world around us. History helps us understand distant times and attitudes. History places a major emphasis on the connections between events, ideas, and cultures from all times and places. It seeks to uncover valid, accurate analogies and tries to avoid simplistic answers to monumental events.
History provides students with an ideal focus for a liberal arts education and, more importantly, a functional basis for lifelong learning. A history major prepares students to become critical thinkers, excellent writers, and well-informed citizens.
Delving Into the History Major
Students who decide to pursue a major in history will begin with basic classes that attempt to build the liberal arts foundation and gradually move on to specialized courses. History majors will take classes in English, philosophy, political science, government, political theory, and writing, among other prerequisites, such as in the degree plan for history students enrolled in Delaware State University.
You will also take a variety of history classes. Most programs will begin with classes in American history, European history and world history. From there, students can take classes that focus on African history, Asian and Russian history and Central American or South American history. Specialized classes like the history of the movement of people, the history of technology and war or art history may also be offered. In depth studies of different periods of history such as the civil rights movement, the history of slavery in America, history of the history of the holocaust, non-western history, history of world religions or World War II, for example, may comprise the bulk of the history curriculum.
You may be required to complement school-approved history textbooks with journals, articles, and novels. All reading material will provide students with the historical focus they need to become knowledgeable in the field. The required and elective courses you would take for history majors will vary considerably among institutions.
Degree Levels:
Associate
An associate degree in history equips students with a robust liberal arts background. Many colleges and universities require completion of general education course requirements for a B.A. in history. The associate curriculum seeks to fulfill this requirement. Those seeking a baccalaureate degree in history from a four-year institution should start with an associate in arts degree at a liberal arts college.
In addition to liberal arts prerequisites, students at this level will learn introductory concepts and research techniques related to the field of history. Students will learn the first few years of American history and western civilization, as well as a broad selection of liberal arts courses transferable to a four-year institution. Associate degree holders further their study or seek careers in teaching, research, and museum work.
Bachelor’s
Many online colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degree in history. This academic level zooms in on the past development of societies, cultures, and institutions. Students who decide to obtain a baccalaureate in history will receive instructions in historiography, history sources and materials, and historical research.
In a world constantly transformed by the strong tides of globalization and cultural chaos, the study of history provides a vital toolkit for addressing complex global issues. A Bachelor of Arts degree in history demonstrates a thorough grasp of the events that continue to shape modern societies. The major in history prepares students to read and analyze historical works with critical insight and appreciate the range and variety of resources, as well as demonstrate knowledge of the development and cultural diversity of their respective areas of study.
Master’s
Students who complete a bachelor’s degree in history are generally eligible to pursue a master’s degree. The Master of Arts in History places a major emphasis on analytical and research tools vital to the study of history.
The master’s curriculum highlights comprehension of nuances inherent in historical discourse. Students at this level are required to focus on primary research and demonstrate the skills necessary to interpret the past for a public audience. The master’s curriculum provides students with three principal areas of concentration, including: American history, European & world history, and public history. Courses will vary depending on concentration and institution. A few examples of what students can learn are: American Revolution, Medieval European, History, 20th century events, and Ancient Roman wars.
The graduate-level curriculum serves students with wide range of career goals, from those seeking employment in historical agencies to those interested in teaching. Students who graduate with a master’s degree in history may gain employment in museums, schools, and media, among others.
Doctorate
those looking to advance their history degree even further, a doctorate presents a viable option. Doctoral candidates are trained to understand historical and global processes and transformations within societies. Candidates may study historical content related to the United States, as well as Europe, Latin America, Asia and other parts of the world.
Throughout the course of the program, students work toward completing a dissertation on a specific area of interest. This is done under the supervision of a mentor or program advisor. The doctoral curriculum includes intensive reading of theoretical and historical analytic literature. Coursework and lessons at this academic level include, but are not be limited to the following areas: American History, Women’s History, Historiography, and Medieval History.
Students who graduate with a doctorate degree in history are well prepared for a number of professions in academia. Some go on to become professors, academic historians, restoration experts, and conservator.
Supplementing Your History Major
Many online colleges and universities offer various specializations related to a major in history. These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest to you. A few of these concentration areas related to this field include, but are not limited to: American History, European & World History, African-American History, Asian History, and much more. History is a very broad field that cuts across various disciplines, occasionally adapting content from them. History borrows perspectives from topics such as anthropology, sociology, and psychology. History pairs well with many of these fields. Students seeking double majors in these fields can take advantage of the versatility. History majors enjoy a flexibility that allows them to blend history with related minors.
Those seeking employment opportunities in other areas can also benefit from the analytical tools gained during the study. While it is true that historians generally provide us with a vivid portrait of the past, the field does not restrict its focus to those events that have taken place in the past. Historians also place emphasis on how those events have transformed the future into the present state of affairs in the world. These are skills that will benefit history majors even in other fields.
The study of history is rewarding for a specific brand of students. This major is ideal for students who are interested in the world around them, students who wonder why things have come to be the way they are and who want to learn from the past in order to keep future leaders from repeating those mistakes. Regardless of employment sector, the study of history will encourage critical thinking and prepare students to contribute to the development of society.
Learn More About the History Major
- Best Grad Schools for History Majors
- Open Courseware: History of Western Civilization
- Open Courseware: The American Civil War
- Open Courseware: The Renaissance (1300-1600)
- American Historical Association
- The Journal of the Oxford University History Society
The History Major in the Job Market
History majors are probably tired of hearing this question, “What are you going to do with that degree?” As it turns out, they can do a lot with a history degree than most people realize. Employment options for liberal arts majors are endless, and history graduates have a multitude of careers to pick from. They can go on to study law, become archivists or consultants, teach history, produce films and documentaries and, yes, they can even join the ranks of journalists and talk hosts with a history background, according to the City University of New York. After all, the famous comedian and late-night TV host Conan O’Brien is a history major, according to the University of New England.
Many historians will go onto graduate programs in order to develop the specialization in a particular area of history and prepare themselves for research and teaching on those subjects they decide to focus on. Historians rely mostly on written records for evidence to support their claims. The writing and critical thinking skills history degree holders gain will make them strong candidates for a number of jobs in business. Historians often try to relate knowledge of the past to present situations or problems, another tool sure to come in handy in the workplace. History majors will be well prepared for employment in business, media, and museum curation. Other career pathways include architectural historian, historical editing, and historical preservation.
History majors should enjoy using their analytical skills to see beyond the surface of issues to understand their deeper significance. They should also have well developed abilities in writing and evaluation, which enable them to comprehend, compare, and criticize arguments and ideas. Some history majors have become successful writers. Others work as archivists, helping exhume, analyze, organize and document historical articles and documents for court houses, libraries and other institutions. Some make their mark as political lobbyists.
The annual median salary for history majors is around $45,000. A history major’s typical starting salary is $35,030, according to Payscale. The typical salary after 10–19 years is $69,487. Actual expected salaries will vary depending on your chosen career path, experience, and even your geographic location.
Careers I Can Get with This Degree:
