History, BA
Bachelor Of Arts

By studying the past, you are better able to understand and communicate the importance of issues in our contemporary world. Develop strong research and critical skills, creative methods for recognizing patterns of information, and techniques for clear and persuasive writing with the IU Online Bachelor of Arts in History.
In this program, you study 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.
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.
Create historical interpretations that effectively make use of such interpretive tools as historical contexts, historiography, multiple perspectives, and continuity and change over time. 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)
Download a printable PDF summary of the BA in History.
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