A master’s in history degree focuses on key events of the past, particularly those relating to human affairs. It’s an immersive program that prepares students for the world of academia by teaching them the core analytical approaches necessary to understand historical events. A master’s in history can help you build a wide variety of skills, in particular critical analysis and the presentation of balanced, well-informed arguments. As the degree is research-based, it’s often a choice for anyone wishing to pursue a doctorate.

More than this, however, the study of history is essential to our understanding of society. Events of the past inform the present, which means that a thorough understanding of historical events can enhance our worldview. History can also provide us with a sense of identity and a clearer understanding of what it means to be a human and a citizen of our country. [1] In this way, a master’s in history can provide personal as well as professional satisfaction.

A Master of History is an excellent way to learn a wide range of skills that can shape you into a well-rounded professional, ready to embark on a number of exciting careers. Studying history at the master’s level helps you advance beyond entry-level employment and prepares you to fill a variety of roles. A master’s in history is versatile, providing you with essential soft skills including assessment, conflict resolution, logic, and communication, all of which are applicable to and highly sought after in most career tracks. [1]

For example, your studies help equip you to illuminate the world in the past, present, and future, uniquely positioning you to excel in areas like journalism and publishing. You can also turn to charity work and nonprofit sectors that greatly benefit from individuals with a keen sense of history, as do many government roles.

If you have entrepreneurial aspirations, the skill sets learned while studying a master’s in history can help prepare you to advance. Accuracy, analytical thinking, and a keen understanding of people and society are all vital elements of successfully starting your own business, and many thought leaders in the business arena cite history as an essential subject of study for any business leader. [5] Likewise, the depth of knowledge and understanding gained during your studies can enrich your writing.

Politicians and lawyers also benefit greatly from the perspective and skill set afforded by a master’s in history, with the ability to use historical data to argue your points persuasively, a core aspect of both careers.

In addition to career benefits, earning a master’s in history also comes with the deep personal satisfaction of having earned the degree. For many, the desire to study history for the love of the subject far outweighs any other motivation. [3]

There are many ways a master’s in history can enrich your career. A master’s degree demonstrates a level of understanding and dedication that is difficult to replicate elsewhere, and it can help you qualify for more advanced roles.

A master’s in history is also flexible, providing tangible benefits across many career paths. This means you can pursue more than one career over the course of your life. If, for example, you want to start off in research and move on to law or politics, that transition can be aided by your master’s in history.

Here are some examples of the roles and salaries you might expect with a master’s in history, based on growth rates between 2014 and 2024, and average salaries:

• History professors earn a median salary of $93,960 [6] with a growth rate of 10%. [8]
• High school teachers earn a median salary of $58,030 [9] with a growth rate of 6%.
• Historians earn a median salary of $55,110 [10] with a growth rate of 2%. [10]
• Archivists, curators, and museum workers earn a median salary of $47,230 [11] with a growth rate of 7%. [11]
• Lawyers earn a median salary of $118,160 [12] with a growth rate of 6%. [12]

If you’re interested in alternative career tracks, a master’s in history provides many excellent opportunities:

Archaeologists earn a median salary of $61,220, [13] and a firm grounding in history is essential for this career path. Archaeologists conduct their own independent research aimed at reconstructing a record of past human civilizations and cultures through the study of artifacts, human remains, structures, architecture, and the excavation of historically significant sites.

In a similar vein, anthropologists earn a median salary of $61,220. [13] As with the archaeological field, a master’s in history can be a key element to a successful career in this field. Anthropologists are responsible for researching, evaluating, and establishing various public policies concerning human societies, their origins, functions, and relationship. They investigate the social, physical, cultural, and linguistic development of human societies, their relation to each other, and their behavior. They also study the cultures, institutions, and organizations that have grown in different societies.

Professors of literature and foreign language are another promising alternative career for someone with a master’s in history. They earn a median salary of $61,380 [13], and while an education in history is not essential for either career, it is highly sought after. The knowledge gained during a master’s program in history can greatly enrich your understanding of both linguistics and literature, and ensure you have a balanced and well-rounded view on the subject to share with your students. The unique perspective afforded to you by your master’s degree can distinguish you in the field.

Park naturalists earn a median salary of $61,110. [13] A master’s in history can be highly prized in this career, and as a park naturalist you can expect to be responsible for planning, developing, and implementing programs designed to inform the public on matters relating to the natural, scientific, and historic features of state, national, and local parks.

A master’s in history can also prepare you for a career in diplomacy and international relations, which have a very positive career outlook. A master’s in history provides an essential grounding in human society, and the manner in which different groups, nations, and cultures have interacted throughout history. These are core concepts required to be successful in international relations.

You salary potential in many fields can be increased by a graduate degree. While the exact increase in salary potential varies from one position to another, the fact you have tangible experience and already possess essential skills and abilities goes a long way to demonstrating your value. You will also have a demonstrable record in research, writing, and analytical thinking, which can help you command a higher salary.

History programs generally provide an eclectic array of electives, which enable you to tailor your degree program to your interests, needs, and goals. Electives can include courses as diverse as the Crusades, the Renaissance, medieval warfare, and the development of religion. Other popular choices include the history of slavery, World War II, the Cold War, U.S. foreign policy, and Native American history.

You should also expect to complete a capstone or thesis as part of your master’s degree. This is usually an essential element in a master’s program, requiring you to complete an extensive research project and present the results in written form. Capstone projects are often structured similarly, although the course design varies between institutions. Generally speaking, however, a capstone project is a more experiential project. You will be required to take the knowledge you have learned, methods you have been taught, and skills you have gained and focus on a specific area of study.

With both a thesis and capstone, the intention is to demonstrate your success and capabilities in implementing what you have been taught while allowing you to explore a topic that is of particular interest to you.

Humans have been fascinated by the study of history since the time of the ancient Greeks. In fact, Herodotus (living between c. 484 and c. 425 BC) is widely regarded as the ‘father of history’. [22] Herodotus was the first writer to ever take a systematic and thorough look at the past and attempt to explain events in the context of a cause-and-effect series. In the wake of Herodotus’ landmark work, historical analysis became a central part of both political and intellectual life throughout the west and many areas in the east. The subject was studied throughout the Medieval period and the Renaissance, usually in the context of the history of religion. At the turn of the 19th century, the discipline developed a more secular and philosophically based approach under the guidance of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, a German historian and philosopher. [23]

In the 20th century, the study of the discipline has turned away from its previous focus on epic nationalist narratives and come to focus more on the complexities of human society and the objective analysis of intellectual forces. The 21st century has seen the discipline consider new themes — such as gender studies, race, religion, technology, and how the rise of the digital age has affected our understanding and the development of history. Recent decades have also seen a shift in mediums, with studies increasingly including technological elements, and study materials as well as courses being available online. As a result, distance learning and online education are becoming increasingly prevalent. [28]