Your remaining credits, schedule, and tuition bill narrow the field quickly. These online history bachelor's programs are accredited, fully online programs in GetEducated’s reviewed directory, but they do not offer the same route through a history degree. Compare delivery pace, transfer treatment, degree type, and teacher-licensure purpose before you spend time on an application.
Key Takeaways
- BA, BS, military history, and education degrees can lead to different course plans and career uses.
- Transfer limits matter, but residency rules determine how many credits you must complete at the new school. A program that accepts more of your previous coursework may still require substantial study through its own curriculum.
- A degree title that mentions education or licensure still requires a state-by-state approval check. The title alone does not establish that the program meets the requirements for teaching in your state.
This editorial shortlist serves adults comparing fully online programs rather than campus-based degrees. Every entry meets the subject and degree-level constraint, but the programs are not interchangeable. Some focus on history as a liberal arts field, while others prepare students to teach history or social studies. That distinction affects the courses you take, the flexibility available in your plan, and the purpose the degree is designed to serve.
Online History Bachelor’s Programs and Social Studies Degrees to Compare
Read the entries by credential first. A BA or BS in history is different from a Bachelor of Education built around social studies, even when both appear in a search for history degrees. The education programs are designed around teaching preparation, grade bands, and licensure, while the history programs leave more room for historical study itself.
For a broader view of the field, the online history degree directory can help you compare degree levels before committing to a bachelor’s program. It is also useful for separating a subject-area degree from a teaching credential, since the two can lead to very different course plans and post-graduation requirements.
1. American Public University System — Bachelor of Arts in History
American Public University System offers the Bachelor of Arts in History as the broad history option in its group. That military price should not be assumed for civilian students, so the published tuition category needs to be matched to your eligibility before you use it in a cost comparison.
The key check is curriculum breadth. Compare required courses, upper-level history credits, research or capstone work, and regional coverage. A program may sound broad while directing much of the remaining coursework toward general education or electives. Also ask for a transfer evaluation before enrolling; a generous headline transfer limit has little value if prior courses do not meet major requirements. The number of credits accepted and the number left to complete are separate facts.
2. American Public University System — Bachelor of Arts in Military History
The American Public University System — Bachelor of Arts in Military History has the most specialized title on this list. It may appeal to students who want military schools, conflict, and policy to form the center of their history studies rather than a small elective group.
Specialization can also narrow the plan. Verify how much general history the major requires, whether the transcript or diploma names military history, and whether graduate schools or employers relevant to your goal prefer a broader history curriculum. The same subject focus that makes this degree attractive for one goal can make it less suitable for a student who wants maximum flexibility across history topics.
3. King University — Bachelor of Science in History
A Bachelor of Science label makes the King University — Bachelor of Science in History stand apart from the BA programs. The title alone does not show how its general education, language, research, or quantitative requirements differ, so compare the full degree map rather than relying on the letters.
Ask which courses remain after transfer credit is applied and whether every required class is offered online often enough to avoid a delay. Students should also confirm course length and whether any class requires scheduled attendance. Those details affect the actual path to completion more than the BA or BS designation by itself.
4. Eastern Oregon University — Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science in History
The Eastern Oregon University — Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science in History gives students a choice between two credentials. That choice is worth examining alongside the transfer policy, since the more suitable credential may depend on how much previous college work the university applies to the major.
Eastern Oregon University states that its Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science in History accepts up to 135 transfer credits, but students must complete at least 20 EOU credits. Its admissions page also lists a 2.5 high-school GPA and a 2.25 college GPA. Applicants with fewer than 30 quarter credits must provide high-school and college transcripts. Ask the school to show how those policies apply to your record in writing, including which accepted credits satisfy major requirements and which count only as general electives.
GetEducated's Picks
- Arizona State University Bachelor of Arts in History
- Liberty University Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education - Middle Grades Social Science
- Southern New Hampshire University Bachelor of Arts in History
5. Grand Canyon University — Bachelor of Arts in History for Secondary Education (ITL)
The Grand Canyon University — Bachelor of Arts in History for Secondary Education (ITL) is explicitly tied to secondary education. That makes licensure fit the first comparison point, not an afterthought, because the degree is built for a teaching route rather than for history study alone.
Confirm that the program meets the educator preparation rules where you intend to teach. Ask about student teaching, background checks, state testing, placement support, and any activity that cannot be completed online. A history education degree can be fully online academically while still requiring supervised experience in a school. Those in-person requirements can affect where you can complete the degree and whether the schedule works with existing obligations.
6. Grand Canyon University — Bachelor of Arts in History
Students seeking history without an education label can compare the Grand Canyon University — Bachelor of Arts in History. Grand Canyon University says applicants to this program must be at least 16 years old and have completed high school. Its stated academic routes include an unweighted GPA of at least 2.8, or a GPA of at least 2.5 with an ACT score of 19 or an SAT score of 1000.
Those entry routes deserve a careful transcript review if your record falls near a cutoff. Also compare this BA directly with the school’s secondary education option; the similar subject does not make the two degrees substitutes. One is presented as history study, while the other carries the added structure of educator preparation and the related licensure questions.
7. Liberty University — Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education – Middle Grades Social Science
The Liberty University — Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education - Middle Grades Social Science spans elementary education and middle-grades social science. Its title suggests a broader teaching purpose than a history major, so inspect the share of coursework devoted to history, other social sciences, teaching methods, and field experience.
Verify the grade bands covered by the program and how they match your state’s licensure categories. Also request a list of local placement duties. A school may help arrange field work, but students should not assume every placement can occur at a preferred site. The program’s broad teaching scope may be useful for some students, but it can also mean less room for advanced history coursework than a dedicated history degree provides.
8. Liberty University — Bachelor of Education in Middle Education – Social Sciences
Middle-school teaching is the clear focus of the Liberty University — Bachelor of Education in Middle Education - Social Sciences. This option deserves comparison with both the elementary-to-middle program above and the secondary program below because grade-band boundaries affect coursework and state approval.
Ask which social science subjects the program covers and whether the resulting recommendation is for one subject or a broader endorsement. Confirm student-teaching length, testing requirements, and the process used when a student lives outside the school’s home state. A title that names middle grades does not, by itself, answer how much history you will study or which classrooms the credential supports.
9. Liberty University — Bachelor of Education in Social Studies Education (6-12)
The Liberty University — Bachelor of Education in Social Studies Education (6-12) states its intended grade range in the title. It is the clearest Liberty option here for students seeking secondary social studies preparation, but it should not be treated as a general history BA.
Review the curriculum for history depth as well as economics, government, geography, and teaching methods. Before applying, obtain written confirmation that the educator preparation route can support licensure in your state and that required placements are practical where you live. If your goal is historical research or a broadly transferable history credential, the teaching emphasis deserves as much scrutiny as the subject name.
How These Programs Were Selected
GetEducated reviewed fully online bachelor’s-level programs in its accredited history directory. A program qualified when its verified title centered on history, military history, history education, or social studies education, and the program was available fully online. Programs were excluded when the subject or online format fell outside that scope or could not be verified. That distinction matters because a degree with some online coursework is not the same academic and scheduling option as a fully online program.
This is a curated editorial shortlist, not a metric-ordered ranking, and not a claim that every program suits every student. The group was selected to represent the decisions that shape both coursework and career direction: BA versus BS, broad history versus military history, liberal arts study versus educator preparation, and transfer-friendly completion versus starting with fewer prior credits. Those choices affect what you study, which prior credits may apply, and whether the program is built around a specific professional purpose.
Cost evidence from GetEducated’s history bachelor’s ranking informed the entries where a matching program figure was available. That figure provides a useful cost reference, but it does not by itself explain the full difference between programs. Transfer rules can change how much coursework remains, while admissions requirements can determine whether you are ready to begin or must complete additional work first. Program titles also require careful reading: educator preparation serves a different purpose from a general history degree, and military history represents a narrower academic focus. Licensure purpose was included because preparation for teaching carries different implications from a degree intended for broader historical study.
In practical terms, the shortlist is designed for comparison rather than a single winner. A student bringing substantial prior credit may value a different program from someone beginning with fewer credits, even when both programs appear under the same subject area. Reviewing the entries side by side shows where format, transfer treatment, academic emphasis, and intended use can change the value of the degree.
What to Compare Before Enrolling
Course pace can change weekly workload even when two programs require a similar total number of credits. One official online history program reports 120 total credit hours across 39 classes, with each class lasting 7.5 weeks. Short classes cover material faster than a traditional full-term course, so the listed credit total does not show how much reading, writing, and assignment work may be concentrated into a given week. Ask how many accelerated classes students usually take together, and whether required courses are offered often enough to prevent an unintended gap between terms. GetEducated’s online liberal arts bachelor’s workload guide explains what to examine before building a schedule.
Transfer policies require the same care. Another official online history completion program requires 60 transferable semester units or 90 quarter units, a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, and four prerequisite courses completed with a grade of C− or better. Those requirements affect both eligibility and timing: credits that count toward the total may still leave prerequisites or major courses outstanding. This shows why a transfer maximum does not answer whether a student can enter the major and finish on schedule. The useful comparison is the completed degree plan after evaluation, not the largest number of credits a school says it will accept.
- Ask for a degree audit: It should show accepted credits, remaining major courses, residency credits, and the expected completion term. Review how each transferred course is applied, since a credit that counts only as an elective may not shorten the major.
- Check the calendar: Look for accelerated terms, course rotation, scheduled meetings, and limits on how many classes may be taken together. A course offered only in a particular term can affect completion even when the overall credit requirement appears manageable.
- Separate degree purpose from subject: A history BA, military history BA, and social studies education degree prepare students through different course plans. Similar subject names do not mean the programs lead to the same academic or professional next step.
- Verify educator approval: For teaching programs, confirm state approval, testing, field work, and student-teaching rules before paying a deposit. These requirements can determine whether the program supports the credential you intend to pursue.
- Compare full cost: Include mandatory fees and remaining credits, not just a published tuition rate. A transfer decision that saves time but leaves many required courses can cost more than the initial rate suggests.
Accreditation and employer acceptance also deserve a quick check, especially if graduate study is part of the plan. The credential’s recognition and format can affect how the degree is evaluated later, while the course plan determines what you actually studied. The online liberal arts bachelor’s employer acceptance guide outlines questions about school recognition, degree format, and how the credential may appear on a résumé.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are online history bachelor’s degrees fully online?
The academic courses on this list are online. Education programs may still require student teaching, classroom observation, or other supervised work at an approved local site. Those requirements can change the practical meaning of “online,” particularly if the placement must be completed during specific hours or within an approved school setting. Review the field work schedule before assuming the entire degree can be completed remotely.
Is a BA or BS in history better?
Neither title is automatically better. Compare the actual requirements, including language study, research methods, general education, and electives, then match them to your academic or career goal. A program with a narrower title may leave less room for electives, while a broader history degree may provide more flexibility for research or later study. The course list matters more than the label alone.
Can I transfer an associate degree into a history program?
Often, but the school decides how each course applies. Request a written degree audit showing which credits meet general education, major, elective, and residency requirements. Two schools can review the same transcript differently, and credits that transfer into the institution may still fail to satisfy the particular requirement you need. That distinction affects both the remaining coursework and the time needed to finish.
What is a residency requirement?
It is the minimum amount of coursework you must complete through the school awarding the degree. A high transfer ceiling does not remove this requirement. Transfer credits may reduce the number of courses you take, but they do not necessarily reduce the portion of the degree that must be completed at the school. The residency policy should therefore be read alongside the transfer policy.
Are military history degrees too specialized?
That depends on your goal. Compare the specialized curriculum with broader history programs and check whether it preserves enough electives and research preparation for your intended next step. A focused program can make sense when its required courses match your plans, but its limited room for other subjects may matter if you expect to pursue graduate study or move into a related field.
Does an online social studies education degree lead to teacher licensure?
It may support licensure, but approval depends on the program and the state where you plan to teach. Verify grade bands, subject endorsements, exams, and field placements directly with both authorities. A degree can include education coursework without giving you the exact preparation required for the license you want. Confirming those details before enrollment is more useful than relying on a general statement that the program is designed for teachers.
How can I tell whether accelerated classes fit my schedule?
Ask for the course calendar and a typical part-time plan. Compare class length, weekly deadlines, reading volume, scheduled meetings, and whether two required courses must be taken at once. A program may appear flexible until required courses overlap or a short course compresses the same reading and assignments into fewer weeks. The published sequence can reveal whether the schedule is workable before you commit.
What are the biggest red flags in an online history program?
Watch for unclear accreditation, no written transfer evaluation, vague residency rules, required courses offered infrequently, unexplained fees, or licensure claims that do not address your state. Each issue affects a different part of the decision: recognition, remaining credits, schedule, total cost, or eligibility for the intended career. Treat several unresolved issues together as a reason to pause enrollment, not as details to sort out later.