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Deciding which college to attend can be a daunting task. For many, it will be the most important decision that they make in their lives. To make an informed decision, you have to consider a lot of variables, such as cost of attendance, financial aid, student/teacher ratio, academics, student life, and more. These factors will either positively or negatively impact the quality of education that you receive.
Do you want to acquire a bachelor’s in history, but don’t know what institution you should attend? Well, if you are as ambitious as I was in my late teens, then you want to attend a top school, instead of an average or mediocre one. Fortunately, we have already done the legwork for you. To help you find the right school for your interests and goals, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best bachelor’s in history.
What institution did we forget? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
- Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Harvard University was established in 1636 by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Harvard boasts an international reputation for academic excellence. The Harvard Extension School has several distance learning programs, including a bachelor of liberal arts degree with a focus in history.
Harvard’s online history degree appeals to learners who want the flexibility and broad education of a liberal arts degree program. Learners take 32 credits of history classes, with concepts such as world history, Christianity, Chinese history, and the history of science fiction. The 128-credit bachelor’s degree also includes classwork in the humanities, sciences, social sciences, expository writing, and foreign languages. Learners must finish math, ethics, and writing-intensive credits to graduate. The blended degree requires learners to finish at least 16 credits on Harvard’s Cambridge campus. Learners can earn these credits in just four weekends on campus. Learners can also take three-week January classes or summer school classes.
The Harvard Extension School grants admission to adult learners age 21 or older who do not already have a bachelor’s degree. Candidates must have a high school diploma. Learners can apply by enrolling for three expository writing and math classes via the extension school. Potential learners must earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA in these three classes to fully enroll in the history degree program. Incoming learners can apply a maximum of 64 transfer credits toward the degree.
- University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Established in 1963 as a technological institution, the University of Central Florida now hosts the largest enrollment of any American college or institution. UCF has over 200 degree options, including online degrees via UCF Online. Learners interested in a liberal arts degree with a historical focus may enroll in the fully online bachelor of arts in history.
Learners pursuing a history degree online develop strong skills in analytical thinking, reading, and writing. Graduates work in law, education, library sciences, public history, and other careers that prioritize strong critical thinking skills. History majors finish surveys in Western civilization or world history. Learners also select electives from three of the department’s four geographic regions: Asia, Africa, and the Middle East; Britain and Europe; Latin America; or the US and Canada. Candidates also finish UCF’s general education requirements and submit a portfolio.
Prospective learners must submit an online application with official transcripts from all previously attended institutions. Candidates should have expertise in a foreign language and a minimum 2.0 GPA for all college work. Candidates with fewer than 60 transferable credits must also provide high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. UCF offers a tuition discount for Florida residents.
- University of Memphis – UofM Online, Memphis, TN
Established in 1912, the University of Memphis maintains six research centers, including the Center for Earthquake Research and Information, the Sparks Bureau of Business and Economic Research, and the Advanced Distributed Learning Workforce Co-Lab. UofM has an array of bachelor’s degrees, including several online options. UofM’s online bachelor of arts in history is particularly strong in the areas of US history; women, gender, and family; Asia; and medieval Europe.
The history degree online includes 33 credits in history classes, including surveys in world civilization and US history. Learners also finish 21 upper-division credits, with at least six outside of European or US history. The institution’s general education requirements consist of classes in communications, mathematics, the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. UofM also has an online master’s in history for learners interested in graduate-level coursework.
Learners enrolled in UofM’s history degree program benefit from holistic advising, career counseling, and professional development chances. Prospective learners must provide official transcripts from high school and any prior college. The school may also require SAT or ACT scores. UofM lowered its online tuition rates as of fall 2018. Tennessee residents and nonresidents pay the same online tuition rate.
- Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Established in 1856, Oregon State University is a land-grant institution and is the largest state-run institution in Oregon. OSU consists of more than 200 undergraduate programs and 50 online degrees. Learners interested in history may select from a bachelor of science or a bachelor of arts.
OSU requires 180 quarter credits for a bachelor’s degree. History majors finish 49 credits within the department, including 15 credits of historical surveys. Options consist of Western civilization, world history, and US history. Learners also finish 12 credits in international historical literacy. Seniors take a seminar and two capstone classes in the historian’s craft. Learners get real-world experience through the public history internship degree program, which helps participants learn about history occupations.
Learners must finish at least 45 of the last 75 credits via OSU.
Transfer learners finish an online application, submit official college transcripts, and provide a resume. First-year learners must also provide ACT or SAT scores. OSU has the same online tuition rate for residents and nonresidents.
- University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
Established in Grand Forks in 1883, the University of North Dakota is the state’s oldest and largest institution. Today, UND consists of more than 200 programs, including options via UND Online. The bachelor of arts in social science with a history focus enables learners to enroll in self-paced classes anytime, thereby speeding up progress toward the degree.
Learners enrolled in the online history degree at UND finish 125 credits, including general education requirements in psychology, sociology, political science, and economics. The history focus includes classes in North American, European, and world history, with several upper-level elective choices. The multidisciplinary degree emphasizes critical thinking and effective communication.
Prospective learners who are under the age of 25 or who have fewer than 24 college-level credits must submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. Transfer learners and candidates over the age of 25 do not need to submit standardized test scores. UND accepts a maximum of 90 transfer credits from regionally sanctioned institutions. The institution grants admission to new learners in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. UND charges in-state tuition for all online learners, regardless of residency status.
- Liberty University Online, Lynchburg, VA
Liberty University focuses on elearning options for learners across the world. Of the school’s 110,000 learners, tens of thousands of learners attend classes exclusively online. Liberty has over 550 degree options and nearly 300 online programs.
Liberty’s online bachelor of science in history offers learners strong analytical and research skills. History majors finish 42 credits within the major, including classes in Western civilization, historical methodology, American history, and world history. Learners select advanced classes in a focus area. Along with the major classwork, the fully online degree program requires general education credits and religion classes. Seniors finish a capstone seminar that emphasizes core research skills.
Learners can transfer a maximum of 90 credits toward their degree. Liberty manages on an eight-week class schedule with eight start dates each year. The degree program requires no set log in times, providing flexibility for working learners. Candidates finish an online admission form and submit unofficial college transcripts for all institutions attended. Candidates also self-certify that they are high school graduates. Liberty offers a tuition discount for service members, veterans, military spouses, and US Department of Defense employees.
- University of Massachusetts – Lowell, Lowell, MA
UMass Lowell was established in 1894 as a teaching school. Today, the state-run institution has over 175 degrees in subjects such as engineering, humanities, and business. The bachelor of liberal arts with a concentration in history at UMass Lowell enables learners to customize their degree fully. History learners also select one additional concentration area with options such as art history, gender studies, English, philosophy, and political science.
UMass Lowell’s online degree in history prioritizes flexibility and a balanced liberal arts coursework. The degree program benefits transfer learners and others who have earned substantial college credits. The history concentration requires 36 credits in the history department, with at least half at the upper-division level. Class offerings consist of Western and world civilization, African-American history, the Civil War, and the Holocaust. To earn the bachelor’s degree, candidates finish 120 to 122 credits, including general education classes and a foreign language.
Prospective learners submit an application and official transcripts showing all college credits earned. Transfer learners from four-year institutions can apply a maximum of 90 credits toward the degree, while learners from two-year colleges can transfer a maximum of 60 transfer credits. UMass Lowell charges the same online tuition rate for Massachusetts residents and nonresidents.
- University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, IL
The University of Illinois Springfield opened in 1970 as an upper-division institution, offering only graduate programs and the last two years of undergraduate education. After joining the University of Illinois system in the 1990s, the school began to offer four-year bachelor’s degrees. Today, the school consists of more than 30 undergraduate programs, including online options such as the bachelor of arts in history.
The online degree in history emphasizes a broad humanities education, research skills, analytical methods, and critical thinking. History majors finish 33 credits, including six credits in lower-division classes such as European history, US history, or world history. Learners also finish eight credits in non-US history and 19 credits in upper-division history electives. Seniors take a capstone class on a current issue in the study of history.
Learners must earn at least 30 credits at UIS to graduate. Distance learners must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA. UIS limits its online programs to candidates who live more than 50 miles from campus and local learners who have documented disabilities. Prospective learners should finish 30 credits of lower-division classwork before applying to the history major. Candidates should have a minimum 2.5 GPA from classes taken at a sanctioned college or institution. Online candidates also submit a statement of intent outlining their independent study skills and the capacity to finish an online degree.
- University of Nebraska at Kearney, Kearney, NE
The University of Nebraska at Kearney has received national recognition for its online programs. UNK has 170 majors, including 30 online degree options. The institution’s online bachelor of arts in history, a degree completion degree program, helps transfer learners with prior college credits earn a bachelor’s degree.
Learners pursuing the history degree online engage in a comprehension study of both past and contemporary societies; they master critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. Graduates go on to work in public history, education, law, and business. History majors finish 36 credits in the history department, including classwork in American history and Western civilization. Distance learners select to concentrate in US, European, or non-Western history. Along with the major requirements, UNK undergraduates finish 45 credits in general education classes and six credits in a foreign language.
Prospective learners must hold a high school diploma or GED. Learners should also show a minimum 2.0 GPA at the college level. Candidates with fewer than 24 transferable credits from a regionally sanctioned institution must submit ACT or SAT scores. UNK accepts a maximum of 66 transfer credits. As a public institution, UNK charges a lower tuition rate for Nebraska residents.
- University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA
As part of Louisiana’s state-run university system, the University of Louisiana at Monroe has several degree options, including online degrees via eULM. The school’s online bachelor of arts in history builds skills in historical research, analysis, and critical thinking. ULM’s history degree program boasts a 90 percent employment rate within 60 days of graduation.
The online history degree at ULM includes 39 credits within the major, including a US history class and a world civilization sequence. History majors also select electives such as Louisiana history, the middle ages, Russian history, and the Holocaust. The 120-credit bachelor’s degree also requires general education classes in composition, art, and mathematics. The major prepares graduates for an array of careers, including in law, journalism, education, or civil service.
To enroll at ULM, prospective learners submit an online application with official high school and college transcripts. ULM requires SAT or ACT scores from first-time college learners and transfer learners. Along with accepting transfer credits, ULM also offers prior learning assessment options, which allow learners to test out of classes. ULM has the same online tuition rate for Louisiana residents and nonresidents.
- Excelsior College, Albany, NY
Formerly known as Regents College, Excelsior College is a private, nonprofit institution. As a distance learning institution, Excelsior specializes in providing quality educational chances for adult learners. The online bachelor of science in history focuses on how societies, governments, and ideas have changed over time.
The online history degree requires 120 credits, including 33 credits of history core classes. The coursework includes 60 credits in arts and sciences and 60 credits in applied professional classes. Learners may also pursue additional arts and science classes instead of applied professional classes. History majors take classes in US history, world history, and European history. Learners also finish a history capstone class.
Distance learners must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA to graduate. Excelsior accepts a maximum of 117 transfer credits, making it a perfect choice for learners who have already finished extensive college classwork. Prospective learners submit official transcripts, along with proof of any exams, training, and licensure programs finished. Excelsior has a substantial tuition discount for military service members, veterans, and their families.
- Arizona State University – ASU Online, Phoenix, AZ
Arizona State University dates back to 1885 when the Territorial Normal School opened as a teacher training institution. Today, ASU is one of the largest state institutions in the country, with five campuses in the Phoenix area and a robust distance learning arm. ASU Online has over 150 online programs, including an online bachelor of arts in history.
The online history degree at ASU emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to the past, with classwork in the humanities and social sciences. Learners finish 33 credit hours in history classwork, including survey classes in international history and US history. Along with major requirements, ASU learners finish general education classes in composition, mathematics, and a foreign language. ASU has classes on a 7.5-week schedule, with several start dates across the year.
To enroll at ASU, freshman candidates submit SAT or ACT scores and official high school transcripts. Transfer learners must have at least 24 transfer credits with a minimum 2.5 GPA. The transfer-friendly degree program lets learners apply a maximum of 90 transfer credits toward the bachelor’s degree. ASU has the same online tuition rate for Arizona residents and nonresidents.
- Thomas Edison State University, Trenton, NJ
Named for the famous inventor, Thomas Edison State University was established as Thomas Edison State College in 1972; the school received institution status in 2015. TESU offers adaptable degree options for adult learners in over 100 areas of study. The school’s online bachelor of arts in history teaches learners how to assess historical evidence and assess interpretations of the past.
Bachelor’s degree candidates finish 120 credits, including 60 credits of general education requirements. The history major includes 33 credits of required classes in Western civilization, world history, American history, and historical methods. Learners also finish a capstone research class. Distance learners select 12 elective credits, with class offerings such as African-American history, the history of New Jersey, and the Renaissance.
Compared with other online history degree programs, TESU offers a generous transfer credit policy. Transfer learners from regionally sanctioned community colleges can transfer 80 credits, while learners from regionally sanctioned four-year institutions can transfer 117 credits. Prospective learners submit an application and college transcripts. TESU also reviews transcripts from military and professional training programs. At TESU, learners select between a per-credit tuition rate or an annual tuition plan that enables a maximum of 36 credits in 12 months. The school also offers a tuition discount for military learners.
- University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Predating the statehood of Arizona by nearly three decades, the University of Arizona was established by the territorial government in 1885. As the state’s land–grant institution, UA boasts a long relationship with Tucson and the rest of Arizona. Today, the institution has over 80 online degrees via UA Online, including an online bachelor of arts in history.
Inspired by President Harry Truman’s statement, “The only thing new in the world is the history you don’t know,” UA’s online history degree emphasizes analytical and logical thinking. Learners learn how to assess competing interpretations and form persuasive arguments. History majors enroll in 33 credits in the department. Learners select from classes that investigate the history of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and the US. As part of the senior class sequence, learners carry out primary source research and finish a research-based paper. Seniors also select a capstone class in the geographic area of their choosing.
Bachelor of arts learners must finish four semesters in foreign language classwork. Candidates submit an online application form and official high school and college transcripts. UA charges the same online tuition rate for Arizona residents and nonresidents.
- Northwestern State University of Louisiana, Natchitoches, LA
Established on a hill overlooking Natchitoches, Northwestern State University of Louisiana once offered classes out of the Bullard Mansion. Today, the public institution, part of the University of Louisiana system, boasts a National Historic District on campus. Along with in-person degrees, NSU has online degrees via its eNSU Global Campus.
The school’s online bachelor of arts in history focuses on US and European history. Classes span several millennia, from the Classical era to today. History majors also take classes in Louisiana and Creole history. Learners finish 36 credits in the major, including 12 credits in advanced American history classes and 12 credits in European or other non-American history classes. The 120-credit bachelor’s degree requires learners to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.
To enroll at NSU, first-time college learners apply and submit proof of a high school diploma and ACT scores. Transfer learners should have either a transferable associate degree from a regionally sanctioned institution or 18 college credits with a minimum 2.0 GPA. NSU has classes in eight-week sessions during fall and spring and in four- or eight-week sessions during the summer. Transfer learners can apply a maximum of 90 credits toward the degree. NSU has in-state tuition rates for all online learners regardless of residency status.
