What You Need to Know About Becoming a History Major

History majors explore the past, seemingly able to move through time and space to understand distant societies and cultures, often becoming adept critical thinkers and writers during their rigorous studies. These reasoning and analytical abilities are useful beyond the scope of traditional professions for historians. Students likely to be a good fit for an undergraduate history program will be eager to make sense of complex stories and consider diverse perspectives of historical events.

What Is a History Major?

A history major is a degree path that teaches students to critically examine the past and become informed citizens. Unlike in some high school history courses, where students might spend most of their time memorizing dates and facts, undergraduate history majors focus on analysis and evaluation.

By taking classes that span regions and time periods, history majors can build an appreciation for the field’s vast scope. History degree requirements are often flexible, allowing students time to explore topics and eras that interest them. As they complete their degrees, students build the tools to understand links connecting the past, present and future. These majors have the opportunity to complete original research and apply the methods they observed in the classroom. Undergraduate history journals allow students to publish their best research papers.

Those looking to improve foreign language skills relevant to their history coursework might consider undergraduate study abroad programs. History majors can see artifacts and sites they have learned about through these programs. This hands-on experience is especially meaningful for students studying in parts of the world far from their college or university.

History major vs. political science major: What’s the difference?

While the subject matter covered in history and political science majors may appear similar, a primary difference is the perspective from which world events are viewed. History majors learn about the events of the past and the context in which they took place from a broader perspective. In contrast, political science majors examine events specifically through the lens of civics and government.

Common Coursework History Majors Can Expect 

Students pursuing a history degree can expect to learn not only about other parts of the world but also to understand the impact of history on current events and to see change as a gradual and eternal process. Students learn how to read and analyze primary sources and historical writings. Most historians become adept at contending with competing points of view.

Within the department, class offerings include surveys that provide intensive overviews of large geographic areas or lengthy periods. For instance, survey classes at the University of California, Los Angeles, include “Modern Latin America” and “History of Africa, 1800 to Present.”

Students can also sign up for courses that examine history through environmental or economic lenses. Some classes focus more narrowly on particular topics, such as the Cold War or the Mexican Revolution. These types of history courses allow students to learn about the complexities of particular historical moments. Course offerings vary by semester, so students should keep an eye out for classes that interest them.

Many history programs include chronological and geographic course requirements, asking students to become familiar with the premodern period and to explore multiple regions. History majors may also be required to complete a capstone course that concludes with a significant research paper.

How to Know if This Major Is the Right Fit for You

If you frequently ask questions about politics, war or culture and are unsatisfied with simple answers, a history major could be a good fit for you. History is a broad discipline, so curious students should explore the field before choosing a specific career path. Students should also be prepared to spend much of their time reading and writing and be able to interpret multiple, and sometimes conflicting, points of view.

What Can I Do With a History Major?

History majors might work as policy analysts, editors or paralegals after graduation. For students interested in teaching, some schools allow history majors to pursue teacher certification while completing their undergraduate requirements. History majors might also consider graduate study in fields including law, journalism, the arts or business. Students who earn master’s or doctorate degrees in history can look for jobs at colleges, universities and museums, among other institutions.

While certification is required for some jobs, like public schoolteacher, history majors in other roles may pursue other credentials to demonstrate their expertise, dive deeper into an area of interest or learn new skills to boost their career. A multimedia certificate might teach a journalist or other professional how to convey information digitally, while a community-based librarianship certificate might be a good addition for people who want to help others research and find information, for example. Archivists who meet education and work experience requirements and pass an exam can earn the certified archivist credential from the Academy of Certified Archivists.

Like other liberal arts degrees, studying history gives students communication and critical thinking skills that can be applied to a variety of career paths. Because the subject area is quite broad, however, whether history majors need additional education or certification before embarking on a career depends on the student’s ambitions and interests.

Data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent estimates of annual salary by occupation and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

What History Majors Say

"Majoring in history has enhanced my ability to develop nuanced opinions and articulate strong evidence-based arguments about the past and how it has influenced the present. My reading, writing, and analytical thinking skills have flourished as a result of my studies. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to get students involved in history by organizing guest speaker events and local field trips to historic sites as President of the University of Baltimore’s History Club. "My advice for anyone pursuing a degree in history is to seek connections with people with similar historical interests and keep in touch with them. Building a network will help you visualize the numerous possibilities that a history degree can unlock. Whether you plan to pursue a career in the field or not, the transferable skills gained through studying history are in high demand and offer a solid professional foundation."

– Lexzander Nebel Ernst, University of Baltimore, class of 2024.

"I honestly could not describe the history major itself in a short paragraph, because there is so much the field has to offer. From studying the social implications of the Central-African Independence movements of the mid-twentieth century to witchcraft in Medieval England, every history major’s experience will be slightly different. For me, history has opened the door to many opportunities at Clemson University, such as the ability to further specialize my education and research on what I find most fascinating. This includes collaborating with students who share similar interests, conducting research based on the work of other academics, and traveling the world to engage with history on a personal level. The study of history builds on itself in a similar way to how a complex skyscraper is constructed: there are many places where one can find their specialty in this interconnected project, and the whole of the field is erected with help from everyone involved."

–Matthew Ployhart, Clemson University, class of 2025.

"Being a history major is so cool because history is such a diverse field. We get to look at different periods, different artifacts, and specialize in things like public history, archives, and research-related paths. It has been such a meaningful experience to be able to research topics I am passionate about using historical data and context. Overall, history, as a major is such an important field that I think everyone should explore at least as an elective."

–Grace Holland, Middle Tennessee State University, class of 2024.

"The skills I’ve learned by studying history have proved to be very rewarding. Throughout college, I have been able to expand my reading, writing, and research skills. This is essential to succeed as a history major but also for college in general. The practice and development of these skills are also important for any future career. For example, the ability to comprehensively read long documents in a short amount of time is an important practice for future lawyers. Writing is important for even those who go into careers in STEM, as you will need to write up reports that clearly explain your ideas. The same also applies to the practice of researching, which is a very prominent activity for history majors. Being familiar with research databases and the analyzing of sources can apply to many career fields and prepare you for success. Due to how well-rounded the study of history is, to major in the subject is perfect for those who have many interests.”

–Lucy Manias, University of Kentucky, class of 2026.

Schools Offering a History Major

Schools offering history majors are below. Filter and sort our complete list of schools to search for those that meet your preferences and needs.