AJ the Irish Lass' Ramblings

Anthropology enthusiasts interested in pursuing a graduate degree may wonder whether a history degree is a reasonable alternative to an anthropology program. Although online degrees make balancing academic, work, and personal obligations easier, being able to take all of the necessary anthropology courses online is difficult, if not impossible. If you enjoy aspects of cultural anthropology but may have challenges pursuing this option all the way through the master’s or doctorate level, could History be a reasonable alternative?

Examples of schools that offer history programs online include:

Maryville University

Southern New Hampshire University

Arizona State University

American Public University

Eastern Washington University

Considering a History Degree?

Your needs and goals will be unique to your circumstances, and you should keep them at the forefront when deciding on a degree program. Comparing the degree programs available at the schools you’re considering, along with the costs and time required to complete the programs, will make your search easier.

What Are the Steps Involved with an Online Master’s in History?

If your personal and professional obligations require flexibility, online degrees can be an excellent choice. An online master’s degree in history will usually have the same standards you’d expect from traditional schools. Online students have the same demanding requirements as other students and learn to evaluate history using advanced principles.

How Does the Online Master’s in History Application Process Work?

Prospective students applying to an online master’s in history program will need to demonstrate abilities, knowledge, and skills. The application process usually includes a minimum of these steps:

A Completed Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree in history is usually preferable. However, anthropology concentrations often lead to work in similar fields to many history majors. Past history courses with A grades may help make a difference, although many schools accept bachelor’s degree recipients with a degree in any concentration.

A High GPA

A GPA of 3.0 or higher is what most schools are interested in when students apply. However, each school has different requirements and may accept those with lower GPAs on a probationary basis or require a few preliminary courses.

Statement of Purpose

A statement of purpose helps potential students answer the question of “Why are you here?” when a student provides a statement of purpose, they can answer why they want a history master’s degree and how they will use it for career goal achievement.

Writing Sample

The writing sample, usually in the context of an academic paper, is an applicant’s chance to shine. This sample helps demonstrate that the student knows how to find source material, as well as format a bibliography and footnotes properly.

Depending on the school, other requirements may include letters of recommendation from professors or work supervisors, GRE exam results, and TOEFL exam results (if a non-native English speaker).

What Do History Majors Learn That May Appeal to Anthropology Students?

Some of the initial coursework involves building on foundations from their undergraduate studies. This advanced knowledge helps students complete their degrees, as well as have the groundwork for success in future careers.

Intercultural Perspectives on Historical Events

In addition to the Western perspective, students will also learn about history from the perspective of people in the culture in question. Looking at events from an intercultural perspective leads to a deeper understanding of many of the issues. Students who have studied anthropology will be able to relate to this approach.

Ability to Apply Historical Theories in the Workplace

History majors, like many anthropology majors, often work in non-profit, business, government or museum settings. All of these types of positions provide room for analyrical, archival, and writing skills.  

Creating a Thesis Paper or Project

An academic paper, based on a student’s research, helps demonstrate historical scholarship abilities. The criteria used for grading these papers include research abilities, the strength of the argument, and writing or editing abilities.

What Are Some Positions a Master’s in History Can Help You Get?

There are many satisfying career paths with excellent salaries that online master’s in history graduates may wish to pursue. History professionals bring history to life and make sure it is told accurately, in settings as diverse as businesses, museums, and archives. Positions related to history have at least modest job growth, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and often include salaries ranging from $55,000 to $69,000 per year.

Historical writing, research, and teaching are some of the career paths that online history graduates may consider. There are many additional positions, too, that appeal to history graduates. If you’ve studied anthropology at the undergraduate level but might have difficulty getting into an anthropology graduate-level program, a master’s in history might be a reasonable alternative.