By studying the past, we are better able to understand and communicate the importance of issues in our contemporary world. Individuals trained in history develop strong research and critical skills, creative methods for recognizing patterns of information, and techniques for clear and persuasive writing.

The IU Online Bachelor of Arts in History explores geographic regions of the world in both modern and pre-modern time periods to identify historical geography, historical actors, events of significance, and social movements with emphasis on exploring historical themes that span multiple places and periods. 

You examine diverse human cultures by describing cultural variation within and between nations, such as race, gender, age, sexuality, language, religion, ethnicity, class, region, or beliefs and values about politics, nationality, economy, and social organization.

As a student in this program, you formulate historical interpretations that effectively make use of such interpretive tools as historical context, historiography, multiple perspectives, and continuity and change over time. You learn to search and retrieve relevant primary and secondary historical sources from a variety of repositories and use those sources to craft historical interpretations, narratives, and arguments. You also use critical thinking to create clear and argumentative thesis statements and well-crafted paragraphs that follow a logical order.

Your IU Online BA in History prepares you for such careers as:

• Historical program director
• Historical research associate
• Historic interpreter
• County historian
• Museum docent
• Exhibitions curator
• Museum content creator
• Collections manager
• Archaeologist
• History instructor

This 100 percent online, consortial program is taught by IU East, IUPUI, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast. This consortial model allows you to take coursework from several campuses and learn from a wide range of faculty.

Degree Requirements

To graduate with your BA in History, you must complete 120 credit hours. You may be able to transfer an associate degree or up to 64 credit hours from a regionally accredited two-year college and up to 90 credit hours from a regionally accredited four-year college or university.

Requirements are broken down as follows:

• History foundation courses (15 credit hours)
• Advanced history courses (18 credit hours)
• History capstone course (3 credit hours)
• General education courses (30 credit hours)
• General elective courses (as needed to total 120 credit hours)

 Student Services

 IU Online provides quick and easy access to tools, tips, and IU resources to help you succeed, including: 

• Admissions: Personalized application support for the program that is right for you
• Onboarding: An interactive orientation to online learning and all things IU
• Student Financial Services: Tailored resources for financial aid and money management
• Success Coaching: One-on-one support to reach your academic and personal goals
• Math and Writing Support: Direct access to IU-trained math mentors and writing consultants
• Career Services: Interactive tools and coaching to accelerate your career
• Libraries and Research: Online access to IU library resources and research librarians
• Technology: A full suite of software, collaboration tools, cloud storage, and training
• 24/7 Contact Center: Real-time chat, email, and phone support direct from IU

Admissions

Application Deadline

Rolling admissions. Application review will begin upon receipt of all required application materials.

NOTE: This program is authorized, exempt, or not subject to state regulatory compliance and may enroll students from all 50 states.

To apply to this program:

1. Complete application for admission.
2. Submit official transcripts.
3. Submit official high school transcript or equivalent (may be required of some applicants).
4. Complete an essay (may be required of some applicants).
5. International applicants may be asked for additional materials.

Students who meet the admission standards of their home campus will be admitted directly into the BA in History.

This program is offered by IU East, IUPUI, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast. After applying, you will be assigned a home campus. You will submit application documents to the Office of Admissions of that campus.

Courses:

ALL core courses are listed here. You will select from among these courses to meet degree requirements. In addition to the courses listed here, the BA in History requires 18 credit hours of advanced study in history. You will select six history courses at the 300/400-level covering at least three of the following regions: United States, Western Europe, Russia/Eastern Europe, Africa, Latin America, and East Asia.

• HIST-A 100 Issues in United States History (3 cr.)
• HIST-E 100 Introduction to African History (3 cr.)
• HIST-F 100 Issues in Latin America (3 cr.)
• HIST-G 100 Issues in Asian History (3 cr.)
• HIST-H 101 The World in the Twentieth Century (3 cr.)
• HIST-H 105 US History to 1865 (3 cr.)
• HIST-H 106 US History from 1865 (3 cr.)
• HIST-H 108 Perspectives on the World to 1800 ( 3 cr.)
• HIST-H 109 Perspectives on the World since 1800 (3 cr.)
• HIST-H 113 History of Western Civilization I (3 cr.)
• HIST-H 114 History of Western Civilization II (3 cr.)
• HIST-H 207 Modern East Asian Civilizations (3 cr.)
• HIST-H 216 The Wild West and American Identity (3 cr.)
• HIST-H 232 The World in the Twentieth Century (3 cr.)
• HIST-J 216 Sophomore History Seminar (3 cr.)
• HIST-J 496 Preseminar in History, Capstone (3 cr.)