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B.S./B.A. in History

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A Flexible, History Degree Online to Enter Multiple Careers

Phi Alpha Theta-Designated Program

Capstone Publication Preparation

100% Online

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Complete the form to learn more about this program.

  • Duration 4 years
  • Cost per Credit $316
  • Credit Hours 180

Program Benefits

  • Complete a history thesis with faculty support
  • Gain research knowledge from published faculty
  • Transfer up to 135 credits
  • Career support services to aid your job search
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Collaborate With Expert Historians With a Research-Rich History Degree Online

Endeavor to learn from the past. Enter law, graduate or business school with historical knowledge gained from EOU’s B.S. or B.A. history degree online. Master critical thinking, research and writing skills to succeed in consulting, research, teaching or law careers.

Imagine a fascinating role within a museum, small business or government facility applying research skills learned from PhD-degreed professors who inspire you with their varied interests and published works.

Dig into your own research to trace the historical roots of people, places and events. You might apply knowledge in a teaching role or move towards the publishing pathway.

Graduate ready for the education, public service, public administration, or business field.

History Curriculum

Core Curriculum

The online bachelor’s in history requires a core of courses including lower- and upper-division courses. Lower-division courses require credit hours focusing on U.S. and world history.

For the upper-division courses, choose at least two courses from each group: U.S. history, European/world history and Western/comparative/thematic history. Earn your B.A. with a foreign language requirement, or your B.S. with just 12 more science credits.

The program culminates with three course requirements: investigating the past, historical research/methods and a thesis/capstone project mentored by a faculty member.

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Have Credits to Transfer?

The option to transfer credits makes your program more affordable and can help you get on the job sooner. We allow up to 135 credits from previous college coursework to be transferred into EOU. All EOU majors require a minimum of 20 EOU credits.

To see how your credits will transfer, use our Transfer Equivalency tool.

Career Outlook

The online history degree will prepare you to pursue graduate study, along with a number of professional opportunities that allow you to focus your work on your passion, including roles in elementary and high school education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that historians earn a median annual wage of $63,100, and the field is currently experiencing steady growth of three percent per year.1

Discover the opportunities that await you as a graduate, and embark on the pathway to career success with EOU Online.

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Program Outcomes

  • Gain a historical background for the study of other disciplines
  • Develop the tools necessary for responsible citizenship
  • Emphasize the continuity of culture
  • Practice critical thinking skills in any field
  • Improve writing mechanics
  • Become an informed reader
  • Prepare for graduate study, if desired

“Graduating from the history department at Eastern Oregon University provided me with a solid foundation on which I could build my future career… The faculty taught me diverse histories from a variety of cultures and perspectives, as well as the importance of those histories to me in the present… They helped me to reach and exceed my expectations of myself.”

– Deneil Hill, former student; History and Gender Studies; Binghamton, New York

Tuition Details

We feature affordable tuition, especially when compared to similar universities. The total cost of your program (assuming no transfer credits) is just over $56,880. The cost per credit hour for EOU online courses is $316.

About 92 percent of online students benefit from financial aid and scholarships to cover part of these costs.

E O U $5,688 versus Average Competitor $8,802

Based on 2024-25 academic year. Average competitor is based on a sampling of similar undergraduate regionally accredited universities at 18 credit hours per term.

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Learn More About Your Financial Aid Options

Your education is an investment in your future. We take your commitment seriously and are here to support you in finding ways to pay for your degree.

Options to consider are:

  • Loans
  • Grants
  • Scholarships
  • Employer Benefits
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Admission Requirements

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What It’s Like to Study Online

Earning your degree online at Eastern Oregon University is a great opportunity because there are no on-campus requirements. You will have access to the same professors, content and opportunities as on-campus students, only in a creative digital format. Our professors work on campus and are professionals and experts who are trained to deliver innovative, engaging online education.

Online Experience

Top Recognition for EOU Online

Earn a quality education online from a highly-respected and awarded institution. Eastern Oregon University’s degree programs have received considerable recognition such as Colleges of Distinction, Value Colleges, College Choice and Military Friendly.

2024 Through 2025 Best Colleges in 10 Years Colleges of Distinction
2024 University H Q's Top 2 Best Affordable Programs in Oregon from University
2023 Through 2024 Silver Military Friendly School
2024 Through 2025 Best Colleges in 5 Years College of Career Development Distinction
Colleges of Oregon Distinction
Eastern Oregon University - Oregon's Rural University Established 1929
Value Colleges Best Online Colleges in Oregon
OnlineCollegePlan.com Top 20 Best Online Colleges in Oregon
2023 Through 2024 Colleges of Affordable Distinction Badge
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Transfer Honor Roll 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions about this program.

Many of our students go on to graduate school, law school or become teachers at the elementary or secondary level. You will also be prepared for careers in teaching, public service, consulting, research, museums, archives and libraries. You could even move into public administration, business or law.

To engage with online students, our program provides online video lectures and livestream presentations. You could also become a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society.

Our diverse faculty have many areas of expertise and are made up of a mix of full-time and part-time professors.

The first step is to start your application.

The program has four start dates throughout the year in the summer, fall, winter and spring.

The program does not offer a virtual open house at this time. 

Visit our FAQ page

¹Historians. April 9, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/historians.htm