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History professor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a history professor. History professors usually study history, education, or area studies. 45% of history professors hold a bachelor's degree, and 39% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 270 real history professor resumes to see exactly what history professor education sections show.
The most common colleges for history professors are the California State University - San Bernardino and the California State University - San Bernardino.
There are also many online history professor courses to help get the education required to be a history professor.
What education do you need to become a history professor?
What degree do you need to be a history professor?
- Bachelor's, 45%
- Master's, 39%
- Doctorate, 9%
- Associate, 4%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a history professor?
- History, 59%
- Education, 4%
- Area Studies, 3%
- Other Majors, 31%
Most common colleges for history professors
| History professor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| California State University - San Bernardino | 9.09% |
| Oberlin College | 6.82% |
| University of Texas at Austin | 6.82% |
| Syracuse University | 4.55% |
| Trinity College | 4.55% |
Best majors for history professors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | History | 58.6% |
| 2 | Education | 4.3% |
| 3 | Area Studies | 3.2% |
| 4 | Political Science | 3.2% |
| 5 | Social Sciences | 2.7% |
Best colleges for history professors
The best colleges for history professors are Harvard University, Brown University, and Rice University.
A history professor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for history professors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become history professors.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
3. Rice University
Houston, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$47,350
Enrollment
3,962
4. Brown University
Providence, RI • Private
In-state tuition
$55,466
Enrollment
6,752
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
7. University of Georgia
Athens, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,830
Enrollment
29,474
8. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Enrollment
33,495
9. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
10. University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$53,391
Enrollment
8,568
20 best online courses for history professors
Advertising disclosure
1. Ukraine: History, Culture and Identities
Explore the history, culture and society of the people of Ukraine from the Middle Ages to the present in this introductory course developed by the Ukrainian Institute, educational studio EdEra, and the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and offered on Coursera in cooperation with the University of Washington. The culture and identities of Ukrainian people have existed in this region for more than a thousand years. Like most Eastern European countries, Ukraine is a rather young country —...
2. American Education Reform: History, Policy, Practice
Discover what shapes how we talk about schools today by exploring the history of U.S. education reform. Engage with the main actors, key decisions, and major turning points in this history. See how social forces drive reform. Learn about how the critical tensions embedded in U.S. education policy and practice apply to schools nationally, globally— and where you live...
3. US / United States History - Prehistory to Reconstruction
Uncover the political and social roots of the U.S. with this comprehensive guide to Early American History...
4. Art History Prehistory to the Renaissance
This is an actual college level course that is taught at several accredited colleges...
5. History of Mental Illness
Our lexicon of mental illness is immense: There currently are hundreds of classified disorders and an extensive assortment of medications and therapies. This course explores the history of this productive science -- its discoveries, classifications, and treatments of psychiatric distress. The excursion begins with a general introduction and proceeds to explore 4 kinds of mental illness: neurasthenia, depression, attention deficits (ADD/ADHD), and narcissism. Each kind is examined in terms of...
6. A Brief History of Human Spaceflight
This course provides a view of the history of spaceflight, from early writings telling of human's fascination of space through the early Russian and American space stations. Developed as an interesting and entertaining slice of space history that is accessible to anyone with an interest in human spaceflight...
7. Art History Renaissance to 20th Century
This is an actual college level course that is taught at several accredited colleges...
8. Lectures on Greek History and Culture
A series of lectures for beginners in Greek history, culture, and philosophy...
9. American History Through Baseball
This specialization is intended for those interested in sports marketing, sports administration, the MLB, and American culture & globalization. It is highly beneficial to those interested in American history and fans of baseball. Throughout the four courses, learners will track American history and baseball history side-by-side...
10. The Modern World, Part Two: Global History since 1910
This is a survey of modern history from a global perspective. Part Two begins early in the twentieth century, as older ways of doing things and habits of thought give way. What follows is an era of cataclysmic struggles over what ideas and institutions will take their place. The course concludes in the present day, as communities everywhere are transitioning into a new era of world history. Again we work hard to grasp what is happening and ask: Why? Again we are drawn to pivotal choices made at...
11. The Complete History of Music, COMPLETE: Parts 1, 2, and 3
The origins of Western music taught through examples, conversation, and context...
12. Professional Certification in Akashic Records (Accredited)
Become a Professional Akashic Record Reader to access and modify records and soul contract ⚫ UK Accredited Qualification...
13. History of Rock, Part One
This course, part 1 of a 2-course sequence, examines the history of rock, primarily as it unfolded in the United States, from the days before rock (pre-1955) to the end of the 1960s. This course covers the music of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Phil Spector, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and many more artists, with an emphasis both on cultural context and on the music itself. We will also explore how developments in the music business and in technology helped...
14. Big History - From the Big Bang until Today
Welcome to this Big History course! In this course, renowned scientists and scholars from the University of Amsterdam and beyond will take you on a journey from the Big Bang until today while addressing key questions in their fields. After completing this journey you will have developed a better understanding of how you and everything around you became the way they are today. You will also have gained an understanding of the underlying mechanisms that have helped shape the history of everything...
15. Learn Risk Management: Risk Planning in Agile and Scrum
Complete Risk Management and Risk Planning Training: Identify Project Risks, Create Risk Plan and Monitor Risks in Scrum...
16. Primavera P6 Complete Course of Project Planning 2022
Complete course from program inception to reporting...
17. The Changing Landscape of Ancient Rome. Archaeology and History of the Palatine Hill
Studying ancient - as well as medieval or modern - cities basically means telling local urban stories based on the reconstruction of changing landscapes through the centuries. Given the fragmentary nature of archaeological evidence, it is necessary to create new images that would give back the physical aspect of the urban landscape and that would bring it to life again. We are not just content with analyzing the many elements still visible of the ancient city. The connections between objects...
18. Akashic Records Foundation Course CERTIFIED
Learn How to Enter, Read and Alter the Akashic Records and Gain Access to Your Past Lives or Personal and Family Karma...
19. Complete Primavera P6 training; Project Planning
Master project planning and scheduling with Primavera P6 (Basic & Advance)...
20. Agile Crash Course: Agile Project Management; Agile Delivery
Agile Project Management Basics (Scrum) & Agile Project Management Essentials (Scrum). Plus Agile Certification (Scrum)...
Top 10 most affordable universities for history professors
The most affordable schools for history professors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, city college of new york of the city university of new york, the, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for history professors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for history professors.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
4. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
6. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
9. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
10. University of Missouri - Kansas City
Kansas City, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$8,178
Cost of attendance
20,934
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for history professors
The hardest universities for history professors to get into are Harvard University, Brown University, and Rice University.
Some great schools for history professors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for history professors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
2. Brown University
Providence, RI • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Rice University
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
4. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
6. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
7. University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN • Private
Admissions rate
18%
SAT average
1,502
8. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
9. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
10. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for history professors
The easiest schools for history professors to get into are Gwynedd Mercy University, nyack college, and kean university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a history professor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for history professors.
1. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
2. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
3. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
4. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
5. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
6. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
7. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
8. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
9. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
10. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
Average history professor salary by education level
| History professor education level | History professor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $88,751 |
| Doctorate Degree | $122,269 |
History professor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common education, training, and library questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025