When you picture yourself earning a degree (or going back for another one), your hard work probably has a clear career goal attached to it: a promotion, a pivot, maybe even a new title.
But what if the reason is simpler than that? What if you go back to school because you’ve always loved the subject?
For James “Jim” Billings, earning a Master of Arts in History from The University of Texas Permian Basin was never about leaving his career behind. As a financial advisor with years of professional experience, he already had a well-established path. But history had always been part of his life, and the idea of studying it more deeply never really went away.
“I have always had a great interest in history,” Jim said, “and have believed that a master’s degree in history would be a benefit to me as a person and professional.”
That interest started early. Jim’s mother was a history professor, and his wife was the first person in her family to earn an advanced degree. Watching them, Jim saw education as more than a line on a resume. It could be personal. It could be meaningful. And it could make you better at the work you already do.
Choosing UT Permian Basin’s Online MA in History Program
Jim wanted a graduate program focused specifically on history—and one he could finish without pausing his career. When he started looking, those two needs shaped his search.
“I looked for an accredited online-only master’s program in history,” he said. “It needed to be online because I have a full-time financial advisor business.”
That flexibility mattered. Like many graduate students, Jim couldn’t put work, family, and the rest of his life on hold to attend classes on campus. UT Permian Basin’s online format gave him a way to keep moving forward without stepping away from the life he had already built.
What’s It Like to Earn an MA in History Online?
The online format did come with a learning curve, especially for someone who hadn’t attended college in several decades. Jim said the technical side could be challenging at first, but after learning the basics of Canvas and online research databases, the online classroom became much easier to navigate.
Faculty Support in the Online History Program
Faculty support was the part of the online MA in history program that stood out most to Jim.
“Each of my professors was highly responsive to my needs. When I had a family emergency in the fall of 2025, one of my professors reached out to offer help.”
Jim said his professors were consistent in offering guidance while also showing empathy to students managing difficult personal circumstances.
The program asked students to take the work seriously, but Jim felt supported throughout. Faculty were responsive, expectations were clear, and students had room to manage real-life responsibilities while staying connected to the work.
What Skills Will an MA in History Build?
An MA in history build the kind of analytical muscle you can use in almost any career. Jim’s work is in financial advising, but his degree strengthened skills that reach well beyond recalling historic events.
At first, Jim thought of himself as a “history guy” and assumed the subject would simply come naturally to him. He quickly realized the work required more depth than that.
“I came to understand that that was wishful thinking,” Jim said. History, he explained, involves “studying historical movements” while also developing research, writing, and critical-thinking skills.
Those skills carried over into his professional life. As a financial advisor, Jim regularly researches information and analyzes complex ideas.
“Earning an MA in History has helped me maintain my intellectual focus while sharpening my analytical skills,” he said.
For Jim, the value of the degree was never limited to a single job title. It helped him grow personally, strengthen skills he already used professionally, and engage more deeply with a subject he’s cared about for most of his life.
Advice for Students Considering an Online MA in History
Jim would “absolutely recommend” UT Permian Basin’s online MA in history program to prospective students.
His biggest piece of advice? “Approach the online program with the same intensity as if you were in a physical class,” he said. “The quality of education is there to be earned.”
He also encourages students who’ve been away from school for a while not to feel intimidated by the technical side of online learning. The learning curve is real, but it’s manageable.
Earn Your MA in History Online From UT Permian Basin
Jim’s story is a reminder that graduate school doesn’t have to be about climbing the next rung on the career ladder. Sometimes, it’s about going deeper into a subject that’s always mattered to you and building skills you can carry into the work you already do.
UT Permian Basin’s online Master of Arts in History gives students a flexible way to do that. The program is fully online and designed to help students build valuable skills in research, analysis, writing, and critical thinking. With thesis and non-thesis options, students can choose the path that best fits their personal, academic, and professional goals.
Learn more about UT Permian Basin’s online MA in history and see how the program can help you keep learning, growing, and asking better questions about the past.