Students can pursue history degrees at differing levels in varied fields.
History majors study the past, recent and distant, about everything from Eastern Europe during World War II to the accomplishments of America's founding fathers. University degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, leading to positions ranging from teaching to research and writing.
Bachelor's Degrees
An undergraduate degree in history can open many doors for students in both the professional and academic worlds. Degrees are offered at many colleges and universities in America and abroad. Students may opt to be a general history major and study different countries and societies, or they can opt for a specialization, such as Farleigh Dickinson University's bachelor's degree in European history. The program features courses concerning the continent from ancient to modern times, giving students a firm understanding of Europe's past and development through the ages.
Master's Degrees
A master's degree in history prepares scholars for higher levels of study as well as careers in areas such as research, teaching and museum work. Most master's degrees in history are specific to a certain subject, period or place, and some degrees combine multiple levels of specificity for a highly concentrated program. For instance, the University of Toronto offers a master's degree in Italian studies with a heavy focus on medieval Italian history where students learn about topics like Renaissance theater, humanistic thought and the city of Florence during the medieval period.
Doctorates
Students wanting to engage in intensive study and research and perhaps teach history at the university level can consider obtaining a Ph.D., which can take several years to complete. Doctorate students may also teach undergraduate classes, submit papers to academic publications and conduct independent research, sometimes abroad. The University of Washington, for instance, requires doctoral students to study four select areas of history to prepare them for a career in teaching.
Certificates, Diplomas and Other Types of Degrees
Certificate programs can help older learners strengthen their resumes.
In addition to standard degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels, many schools offer certifications for specialized history programs, such as the public history certificate at Texas State University. The program requires students to maintain a 3.0 GPA and prepares them for careers in managing historical sites and overseeing archives with courses such as Local and Community History, and Oral History.
Tags: graduate levels, master degree, undergraduate graduate, undergraduate graduate levels