Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in history may qualify for entry-level positions at museums, historical associations, or other small organizations. However, most bachelor’s degree holders usually work outside of traditional historian jobs—for example, jobs in education, communications, law, business, publishing, or journalism.

Historians need a master’s degree or Ph.D. for most positions. Many historians have a master’s degree in history or public history. Others complete degrees in related fields, such as museum studies, historical preservation, or archival management. Many programs require an internship or other onsite work experience as a part of the degree program.

Research positions, including many jobs within the federal government, typically require a Ph.D. Students in history Ph.D. programs usually concentrate in a specific area of history. Possible specializations include a particular country or region, period, or field, such as social, political, or cultural history.

Those seeking to teach history on the secondary level must complete teacher certification. For more information, consult the School of Education.

Employment of historians is projected to grow 2 percent from 2014 to 2024, slower than the average for all occupations. Historians who are employed in settings outside of the federal government, such as historical societies and historical consulting firms, are expected to see some job growth. However, many of these organizations that employ historians depend on donations or public funding. Thus, employment growth from 2014 to 2024 will depend largely on the amount of funding available.