There are three types of history degrees you can earn: a bachelor's degree in history, a master's degree in history and a Ph.D. Each program has specific prerequisite and curriculum requirements. Individuals with bachelor's degrees in history can go on to become teachers, journalists, researchers, historians and museum curators. Those with master's degrees can become archivists, media specialists, consultants and oral historians. Those with Ph.D.s have career options that include professors, historic preservationists and restoration experts.
Types of History Degrees
There are several types of history degrees requiring various prerequisites and coursework for completion. Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts in history, a Master of Arts in history, or a Ph.D. in history. There are specializations to choose from within each degree program. Education-Portal.com reports that students attending bachelor degree programs can choose to major in music history, military history or business history. The master's degree program at the University of Illinois at Springfield offers specializations in American History, Public History and European and World History.
Bachelor's Degree Courses
Bachelor degree programs in history take approximately four years to complete if students attend school full time. For the first two years, students are required to complete general education courses. Courses might include science and mathematics, sociology, English, literature and foreign language. Students focus on their major during the last two years of the program. Depending on their specialization, these courses might include World War II, women in history, the Middle East, ancient civilizations, philosophy in history, pre-revolutionary Russian history, current historical issues and naval history.
Master's Degree Courses
Master's degree programs typically take two years to complete. As a prerequisite, students are required to have earned a bachelor's degree; most schools require scores from Graduate Record Examination as well. According to Education-Portal.com, coursework may include Greek civilization, world history, Renaissance and reformation, the Roman empire, the history of religion, the Industrial revolution, the American revolution, public history, the U.S. civil war, medieval warfare, digital preservation research methodologies and Cold war diplomacy. Specializations within the degree include women's history, military history, art history and European history. As a graduation prerequisite, master's degree students are required to complete a thesis based on coursework and original research.
Ph.D. Courses
Ph.D. programs in history take between two and three years of full time study to complete. As with bachelor's and master's degree programs, students pursuing their doctorate degrees can specialize in a particular area of history, including European history, United States history, Asian history, and Latin American history. Courses might include women's studies, medieval history, research, historiography and ancient history. As a graduation prerequisite, students are required to complete a book length dissertation based on original research.
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