History is a subject rooted in the past, but it’s also connected to today and tomorrow. It informs our present, showing us how we arrived at the nation and world we inhabit today. And, as a topic of study, it can also tell us where we might be headed as a society—or even as individuals. On a smaller, more personal scale, a graduate degree in history builds critical skills that enable you to excel in your current or future career.

Connecting With the Past

Just as an individual is shaped by their experiences, our society, and indeed our world, are shaped by the events that have happened throughout time. Understanding the conflicts, revolutions, traditions, and eras of progress and regression that have come before gives us deeper insight into humanity. Studying history also gives us a better understanding of and appreciation for the many communities who share the world with us.

Living in the Present

History provides important reference points for us as a society, illustrating mistakes that we should not make again and providing templates to follow when addressing contemporary problems. It can act as both a warning and a source of optimism.

Looking to the Future

In addition to an awareness of our historical origins and their influence on modern times, a formal study of history provides invaluable practical skills that will benefit you in many career paths and in your daily interactions. These skills include:

  • The ability to write and speak clearly, intelligently, and with considerable authority.
  • The ability to think critically, taking in information, analyzing it, distinguishing between differing interpretations, and forming a unique, cogent viewpoint.

Most employers value and actively seek employees with the skills listed above, sometimes referred to as “soft skills.” A report from The Wall Street Journal, as quoted by Forbes, explains that more than 90% of business executives asserted that soft skills are as valuable as “hard skills” in a career. Further, nearly 90% of them said that finding candidates with the required soft skills was a challenge. Having these soft skills can provide you with a tremendous competitive advantage at hiring time—one of many compelling reasons to pursue a graduate history program.

Enhance Your Professional Future by Studying History With Us

If you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, you may be ready to take the next step with an online Master of Arts in History from The University of Texas Permian Basin. As a graduate-level program, our MA in history takes a more nuanced, in-depth look at key topics than the survey-level courses offered in an undergraduate program. Through dedicated, single-topic courses, you’ll undertake a detailed exploration of eras and events including:

  • The American Revolution
  • The Civil War and Reconstruction
  • The Third Reich and Holocaust
  • World War I

With a master’s degree in history under your belt, you’ll be primed to pursue doctoral-level studies or law school, as well as fulfilling leadership positions in education, management, government, and law enforcement. You could also seek a career as a historian, a rewarding research-intensive profession in which you’ll help preserve and occasionally even shine a new light on the past. Whatever career path you choose, here’s some encouraging news: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that master’s degree holders generally enjoy steadier employment and earn about 20% more than those whose highest level of education is a bachelor’s degree.

The Convenience and Quality of the Online Learning Format

UT Permian Basin makes earning a master’s degree in history convenient. Delivered in an asynchronous, 100% online format, our program enables you to complete coursework on a more flexible schedule from nearly anywhere in the world. This makes it possible to earn your degree around any professional and personal commitments you may have. Many students complete our program in as little as two years! No GRE is required for admission, and you can choose from thesis and non-thesis options, depending on your preference. The mode of delivery will not impact the quality of the curriculum and courses are taught by distinguished faculty who teach the MA in history program on campus.

History has lessons for us all. Learn them online as you elevate your professional potential with a master’s degree in history from UT Permian Basin.

Sources:
https://www.historians.org/about-aha-and-membership/aha-history-and-archives/historical-archives/why-study-history-(1998)
https://www.historians.org/jobs-and-professional-development/career-resources/why-become-a-historian
https://ncph.org/what-is-public-history/about-the-field/