B.S. History Overview
If you enjoy studying world history, European history, U.S. history, and more, the online Bachelor of Science in History at King University can help you turn your budding interest into an exciting and respected career.
The study of history gives students a platform to grasp the roots of civilization, understand people from different periods and places, and appreciate the role of individuals who have shaped their world. At King, our online history degree program will provide you with a diverse foundation in a fascinating subject. You’ll study a range of key topics and periods, such as:
- The Civil War
- Europe during WWI and WWII
- The Cold War
- The Middle Ages
- Africa and Colonialism
- The Atlantic World
- History of Science
- How to evaluate historical writing
- Public history, including historical sites and museums
- How to do historical research
- How Christian faith and the study of history intersect
In addition, the program helps you develop skills widely demanded in the workforce, such as verbal and written communication, research and inquiry, and critical thinking. Our online history degree will also lay the groundwork for you to advance your studies and earn your education licensure for grades 6–12.
Because our online history degree is offered in a 100% online format, you’ll have the opportunity to study without sacrificing other commitments. An online degree empowers you to attend class when and where it’s right for you and gives you the flexibility to study at your own academic pace. The program can be completed in 16 months.
The B.S. in History Degree is Designed for…
- Individuals who want to gain the academic groundwork necessary to obtain certification for teaching grades 6–12
- Working adults with some college credit seeking a four-year degree that can be applied to almost any profession
- Those passionate to learn a broad range of historical eras and topics
Accolades
King has been ranked as one of the 15 best online Bachelor’s in History programs by Bachelors Degree Center.
Courses and Requirements
Our online Bachelor of Science in History requires 48 semester hours (12 courses) of major coursework. To graduate from King University, students must complete a total of 124 semester hours, including major courses, general education core courses, and additional courses that may come from transfer credits or electives.
To earn a baccalaureate degree from King University, all students must complete 30 semester hours of Common Experience and General Education courses. These courses include Foundations of Christian Thought and Practice, Citizenship, English Composition, Human Creative Products, Quantitative Literacy, Science, and additional General Education courses.
Students must earn a total of 38 semester hours of general electives to attain the online B.S. in History.
| Course # | Title | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIST 2161 | The United States to 1877 | This course covers the colonial origins of the United States and formation of the American governmental system, the development of an American identity, the Westward movement, versions of American democracy, the development of Southern sectionalism, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. | 4 |
| HIST 2162 | The United States from 1877 to Present | This course covers the economic, social, and industrial development of modern America, the United States’ various roles in world affairs, and social, cultural, and intellectual trends throughout the period. Also includes American involvement in World War I and II, the civil rights and other 20th century movements, and the Cold War. | 4 |
| HIST 3000 | Professional Historian: Historical Study and Writing | Required of all history majors and minors and taken during the student's Sophomore or Junior year, this seminar focuses on the methodology of historical research and writing through the medium of research projects based on primary and secondary source materials. An introduction to historiography and exploration of careers in history also serve as fundamental elements of the course. | 4 |
| HIST 3001 | Public History | While many Americans claim to dislike history as a school subject, they spend their spare time visiting historic sites, watching movies about historic events, doing genealogical research, or reading historical fiction. These activities fall in the realm of "Public History." This course is designed to introduce students to the theory, methods, issues, and practice of history outside the classroom. Students will explore the many ways in which people package, convey, and consume history. Students in the course will explore the fascination with the past and recognize the challenges and opportunities of historical work in historic sites, museums, oral history, archives, and other public history settings. | 4 |
| HIST 3010 | Cultures in Contact: The Middle Ages | The foundations of modern European society from the fall of Rome to the Renaissance, with stress upon the religious, aesthetic, and intellectual forces of medieval Europe. | 4 |
| HIST 3030 | Cultures in Contact: The Atlantic World, 1440-1888 | This course introduces students to a global community connected by the Atlantic Ocean from 1400 to 1888. This zone of cultural interaction was the cradle of democracy and the modern nation state but also the location of the dehumanizing and brutal African slave trade and the deconstruction of many indigenous American societies. | 4 |
| HIST 3120 | Europe and the Great Wars | The First World War, Europe between the two wars, and the development of fascism and totalitarianism mark 20th century European history. This course also includes the role of nationalism and imperialism, and the influence of democratic and socialistic ideas during this period, as well as a comprehensive survey of the second world war and its immediate aftermath. | 4 |
| HIST 3650 | Cultures in Contact: Islam, Christianity and Colonialism in Africa | From the Atlantic slave trade to the current crisis in Africa, this course takes a look at sweeping historical change African peoples have experienced and shaped. Topics covered include colonialism, African countries’ struggle for independence, the introduction and spread of Islam and Christianity on the continent, and challenges to the modern African state. | 4 |
| HIST 3730 | The Civil War | This course spans the decades prior to and after the Civil War, America’s greatest period of civil strife. We will cover causes of the conflict, roam across battlefields, witness the vulnerability of the home fronts, and investigate the attempts made to resolve the conflict during the era of Reconstruction. Important questions of slavery and emancipation, dissent and opposition to the war, spiritual and cultural impacts, and legacies of the war on American politics, society, and values will be the main topics of the course. We will concentrate on the social, political, and economic aspects of the war; this is not a course in military history, but we will learn about battles and wartime conditions. This class will expose students to a variety of sources on the conflict, including scholarly books and articles, memoirs, fiction, and primary historical documents. | 4 |
| HIST 3770 | Science in Culture: Inquiry in the Laboratory and Field | The laboratory has long been a space for exploring scientific principles and expanding the knowledge of what humans know about the world. The scientific inquiry moved outside in lab into “the Field,” challenging notions of objectivity. This course examines the history of science focusing on important discoveries, evolutionary thought, genetics, field biology, and nuclear science. Students will analyze the approaches scientists have taken to understand the biggest questions of the human experience; the origin of life, how the natural world works, and the ways science and society intersect. This is a course beneficial to both students of science and the humanities, bridging the disciplinary gap. | 4 |
| HIST 3755 | The Cold War: History and Politics | The Cold War has been described as “the most widespread international confrontation in history.” Indeed, far from being simply a prolonged standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union, the Cold War defined the ideology of an entire era. From the formation of NATO, to the Cuban Missile Crisis, to the Vietnam War and beyond, decisions made in the context of the times shaped the lives of billions of people. Their major repercussions upon nearly every aspect of human endeavor are still traceable today, as human societies continue to experience the seismic aftereffects of the Cold War’s dramatic closing stages. | 4 |
| HIST 4001 | History Seminar | This course focuses on specialized topics. It requires a research paper or other research project demonstrating mastery of the skills and a sophisticated demonstration of content knowledge in history. | 4 |
To view the full Academic Catalog, CLICK HERE.
Admission Requirements
Students who apply for the online history degree program need to meet the following requirements:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.2 on a 4.0 scale
- Students with a lower GPA may be admitted on a conditional basis provided they are able to demonstrate their plans to succeed in the program.
General Admission Requirements
General requirements for admission to King University’s online B.S. in History include graduation from an accredited or recognized high school, GED, or secondary institution with a minimum of 16 academic units, distributed as follows:
- Four units of English
- Two units of algebra (Algebra I & II)
- One unit of geometry
- Two units of foreign language
- Two units from history and social studies
- One unit of natural science
- Four units of other academic electives
Students educated at home should follow the same procedures as listed above.
Students should present a high school transcript or equivalent documentation.
How to Apply
Students applying for the online Bachelor of Science in History program must submit the following materials:
- A completed online application
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Request information and get connected to one of our knowledgeable enrollment counselors who will help you plan a path to earning a history degree online.
Career Outcomes
While there are many options for what you can do with the degree, King University’s online history program graduates may choose to pursue careers as:
- Secondary History Teachers
- Archivists
- Librarians or Media Collection Specialists
- Historians or Researchers
- Writers and Authors
- Information Managers
- State Representatives and Legislators
- Graduate Students
Career Spotlight: Secondary History Teacher
Equipped with an online Bachelor of Science in History, you will be fully prepared to pursue the appropriate licensure in your state to teach in a variety of settings. As a result, you’ll have the opportunity to teach your future students research, writing, and critical thinking skills necessary for success in postsecondary environments. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, high school teachers earn a median annual salary of $61,660.
Appalachian School of Law
King University and Appalachian School of Law (ASL) have together created a Preferred Admission pathway and 3+3 agreement that reduces the time required for law education by a year. Qualified enrollees will take three years of undergraduate courses at King and receive preferred admission status to ASL. Successful completion of the first year of law courses will then retroactively apply to King’s degree program, serving as the fulfillment of a bachelor’s degree in English or history.
Assistant Professor of History
Dr. Osborn gained his degrees from East Tennesee State University and his PhD. From the University of Georgia. “My research focuses on the emotional experience of the American Civil War. In particular, I analyze how the political culture of secession and the Civil War transformed the dominant emotional standards of Southern culture, and how individual Southerners navigated through (and helped remold) these cultural changes in the pursuit of greater emotional freedom.”
Studying online prepares you for a successful future. Discover a learning format that offers:
- Flexibility and Convenience
- Personalized Academics
- Equal Excellence
- Opportunity for Self Insight