Online Master of Arts in History

Arizona State University is the first major research university to offer a fully online history master’s degree. In this program, you’ll explore the history of societies from across the world while collaborating with your peers in a community setting. You’ll also develop transferable skills, such as analytical understanding and effective communication.

Learn more

Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 05/16/2024


Total classes:

Total classes: 10

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5

Total credit hours:

Total credit hours: 30

Degree questions, answered.

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Focus areas for earning your master’s in history online

The online history master’s degree is a thematic program covering a range of time periods and geographic locations. Instead of gaining concentrated knowledge on one specific topic, you’ll acquire a wide breadth of historical understanding and explore a variety of historical perspectives. Students will emerge from the program with the skills and abilities expected of historians at the master's level.

In the online master’s in history program, you can choose from two primary areas of study:

  • North American history: The North American track contains an in-depth examination of histories related to Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, as well as societies predating their formation.
  • Global history: In the global history curriculum, you’ll explore global topics through a methodological lens to examine perspectives from outside North America.

During your time in this program, you’ll gain experience in writing, research and more while investigating and learning about different historical topics and eras. You’ll also receive personalized support from faculty advisors and have the opportunity to build direct relationships with professors and students.

What skills will you gain in an online master’s in history?

 

ASU Online's master’s in history will provide the foundation necessary for building an advanced historical perspective while cultivating broadly useful skills. You’ll become more experienced with writing about complicated topics as you complete comparative analyses, historiographies and research papers. Learning history can support your ability to understand the present and shape the future.

During this program, you’ll also develop a range of transferable skills, such as:

  • Analyzing evidence.
  • Communication.
  • Creating multifaceted and persuasive arguments.
  • Critical thinking.
  • Problem-solving.
  • Project planning and organizing.

What can you do with an online history master’s degree?

 

Earning your master’s in history allows you to build knowledge of the world while developing talents that can be used in a variety of industries. After completing your master’s in history online, you can pursue jobs in museums, national parks, historic preservation, politics, nonprofits and academia. Graduates may also go on to work in education, journalism and public service.

Does my online master's in history say 'online'?

No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.” That’s because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.

Online master’s in history courses

Courses in the online history master’s degree are designed and taught by faculty members with PhDs and industry professionals working in museums or other public history settings. In addition to taking core courses related to your focus area, you’ll complete several electives, two research seminars and a capstone project.


Core

Global History


Core

Historical Methods


Core

North American History


Core

Public History Methodology


Core

Research Seminar


Core

Special Topics


Core

Practicum


Culminating Experience

Capstone


Careers for online history master's degree holders

Upon graduating from this master’s in history online, you may work in research, government service, politics, journalism or other fields. For teachers, the online history master’s degree can support your growth as an instructor in primary, secondary and higher education environments. You may also choose to pursue roles in public history, including those at museums, historical societies or national parks. Potential career paths include, but are not limited to:

Archivist

Consultant

Editor

Educator

Publisher

Researcher

Practicing faculty and leaders in the field

From Royal Society and American Academy fellows to Marshall and Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipients, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is home to prestigious students and faculty members.

  • Fulbright American Scholars.
  • Guggenheim Fellows.
  • MacArthur Fellows.
  • Nobel laureates.

Practicing faculty and leaders in the field

From Royal Society and American Academy fellows to Marshall and Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipients, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is home to prestigious students and faculty members.

  • Fulbright American Scholars.
  • Guggenheim Fellows.
  • MacArthur Fellows.
  • Nobel laureates.

How to apply

Applicants to the Master of Arts in history degree must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Application requirements

Additional admission information

A global university with a rich historical perspective

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences takes a transdisciplinary approach to education with a vast spectrum of degrees in the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities. We inspire students to be socially aware, critical thinkers and global citizens.

25,500+


currently enrolled students.

$140 million


in research expenditures in 2018.

23


interdisciplinary schools and departments.

95+


undergraduate degrees.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

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