What is an online bachelor’s degree in history?

UMGC's history degree is a 120-credit BA program that covers topics like U.S. and world histories, historical writings, historical records, and more. The program helps students prepare to work in a wide range of settings once they graduate, from museums to governments to the education sector. At UMGC, you may also be able to apply credits from your online history degree to the Master of Arts in Teaching graduate program, saving you time and money and giving you a head start if that is your chosen career path.

How long does it take to get an online bachelor’s degree in history?

UMGC's online history degree is a 120-credit BA program with courses offered year-round. The time it will take you to complete your degree will depend on several factors, including your goals, how many transfer credits you have, your course load each semester, how soon you'd like to graduate, and whether you are able to benefit from one or more of our fast paths to credit, including credit for prior learning and credit for military education and training.

How much does an online bachelor’s degree in history cost?

Tuition rates for history majors are very competitive and appear at the top of this page. We offer a low in-state rate for Maryland residents and a reduced tuition rate for military service members and their spouses and dependent children. We also offer scholarships for those who qualify, an interest-free monthly payment plan, and no-cost digital materials in place of most textbooks to help make your online history degree more affordable and to help you graduate sooner.

What background do I need to get an online bachelor’s degree in history?

You do not need any history-related background or experience to enroll in our undergraduate history degree program. As long as you meet our undergraduate admission requirements, you can enroll in this program.

Are any certifications needed with an online bachelor’s degree in history?

You do not need any prior certifications to enroll in or complete this undergraduate history degree.

What student organizations are available to history majors at UMGC?

We recommend history majors explore the following student organizations while completing their degree program:History Student Society The History Student Society brings together students, alumni, faculty, and staff who have a shared interest in history and provides them with a space to exchange ideas, plan and host activities, and help fellow members advance in the field. It is available to students, alumni, faculty, and staff members. Students and alumni can join the History Student Society group on CareerQuest. Phi Alpha Theta (History) Phi Alpha Theta brings together students and faculty who are interested in the field of history. It is available to undergraduate students. You must have a GPA of 3.1 or higher in at least 12 credits of UMGC history courses and have an overall UMGC GPA of 3.0. It is open to all students in any major. For more information, please email info@phialphatheta.org.Pi Gamma Mu (Social Science Disciplines) Pi Gamma Mu recognizes outstanding scholarship in the social sciences. UMGC's Maryland Theta chapter was recently added to the society’s Roll of Distinction and was also the winner of the 2020 UMGC Student Organization Awards Best in Show Activities and Events Award. It is available to undergraduate students. Membership is by invitation only. You must have completed at least 45 credits toward your degree to be eligible. If you have earned at least 20 credits in social science coursework (including at least 9 credits at UMGC) and have a GPA in the top 35 percent, you may be invited to join. For more information, please email marylandtheta@umgc.edu.

Online History Bachelor's Degree

DEGREE AT A GLANCE

120 credits
Transfer up to 90 credits
All courses available online
Select hybrid courses available

TUITION RATES

$324 per credit (in-state)
$499 per credit (out-of-state)
$250 per credit (military)
Other fees may apply

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Enrich your knowledge of history and its impact on society with an online bachelor's degree in history from University of Maryland Global Campus. Connect with a diverse network of peers and expert faculty members as you prepare to shape the future with insights from the past. With convenient online courses, multiple start dates, access to lifetime career services, and a generous transfer credit policy, UMGC provides the flexibility and support you need. Start your journey today.

Become a Skilled Historian with Deep Insights into Human Civilization

This comprehensive 120-credit BA program highlights a range of topics from the foundational aspects of historical studies to advanced explorations of cultural, political, and social history. Throughout the curriculum, students delve into the complexities of war, periods of monumental change, and the key individuals who have shaped the United States and our world. Within this framework, they also learn about topics such as African American history, historical methods, the Middle East, China, and more. Ultimately, this online degree is designed for those interested in studying the past to inform and improve future outcomes once they graduate.

Here are a few benefits of this online program:

Developed and taught by professional historians, our curriculum is designed to prepare you for roles in politics, law, journalism, education, and more.
Students in this program can take advantage of UMGC's accelerated pathway benefit, reducing the total credits needed for a master's degree in teaching.
Additional networking opportunities and resources are available through student organizations such as UMGC’s History Student Society, Pi Alpha Theta, and Pi Gamma Mu.

Search Course Catalog

These requirements are for students who enroll in the 2024–2025 academic year. For prior year requirements, visit our catalog archive.

Read the Catalog

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

In addition to the specific course requirements outlined on each bachelor’s degree webpage, UMGC maintains certain requirements for all bachelor’s degrees.

See Degree Requirements

Develop Skills in Historical Analysis

Understanding historical contexts, developments, and the forces that shape our current environment is crucial so that we can inspire positive change. This online program is designed to give you the well-rounded knowledge and skills to interpret and evaluate past events to improve the future. The program aims to cultivate key competencies in areas such as historical methods; historical writing; critical thinking and analysis; cultural and temporal comparison; cause and effect understanding; communication of historical insights; ethics in historical interpretation; and more. Program directors regularly review and update the curriculum with an emphasis on helping students achieve the following:

Gain Knowledge

Research, interpret, and present historical knowledge.

Engage Viewpoints

Engage in history as a moral and ethical practice, recognizing a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.

Gain Perspective

Achieve a deep understanding of the different peoples, events, and cultures that have shaped human civilization.

Communicate Effectively

Write and speak clearly and appropriately about historical information for diverse audiences.

Learn from History

Apply historical precedents to contemporary life and develop self-reflection.

Start the Next Chapter in Your Career

This program is designed to prepare you to succeed in a range of professional settings, including museums, historic sites, government, educational institutions, research firms, cultural resource management, public history archives, and more. Graduates might pursue careers as teachers, writers, historians, archivists, museum curators, research analysts, heritage managers, or historical consultants.

Please note: Pursing a Master of Arts in Teaching through our accelerated pathway may better prepare you for the teaching careers represented here.

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Apply What You Learn in Your Courses

Throughout the curriculum, your instructors will assign in-depth coursework that may help you prioritize real-world skills and hands-on experiences. In past courses, students have been able to complete the following projects:

Apply historical thinking and research skills to a contemporary public policy issue to illuminate potential consequences and suggest possible interventions.
Prepare written and oral testimony on a proposed legislative bill to create a new license plate honoring enslaved African Americans in Maryland.
Develop a critical book review of a topic in European history that identifies each part of a monograph and develops abilities to present historical information for multiple audiences.
Conduct a secondary nation study of a country before, during, and after World War II including political, economic, cultural, and military factors.

Explore History Insights

Gain insights from our faculty and staff and dive deeper into a range of topics, including black history, women’s history, our graduate teaching program, and more.

The Importance of Learning About Black History

Explore how learning about Black history helps us create a better and more inclusive future.

UMGC Celebrates Women’s History Month

Hear from women leaders at UMGC as they share their experiences and hopes for the future.

Why Earn a Master of Arts in Teaching

A Master of Arts in Teaching can help prepare you for a rewarding career.

How to Network as a Student

Learn about the importance of networking as a student and the multiple opportunities UMGC offers.

History

Bachelor of Arts

Online Bachelor's Degree: History

History

DEGREE AT A GLANCE

TUITION RATES

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Become a Skilled Historian with Deep Insights into Human Civilization