Studying a subject as broad as the past can seem daunting, but there are plenty of academic specializations for history majors to consider. Choosing a concentration can help you build your expertise in the area of historical inquiry that most interests you. History students can choose from dozens of possible specialties. Most of these focused areas of study are categorized by:
- location
- time period
- subject matter
Specialize by Geographic Location
Perhaps the most widely offered specializations for history majors are those distinguished by region and location. For example, nearly all history departments recognized by the American Historical Association (AHA) offer a specialization or concentration in the history of the United States, the AHA reports. World history is another common concentration offering. Some of the best undergraduate history degree programs in the nation also offer specialization options that focus more narrowly on a region, such as focused studies in:
- European history
- Middle East history
- Texas history
- the ancient Near East
Specialize by Time Period
If you’re interested in a specific historical event or time period, you’re in luck. Many of the specializations for history majors focus on a particular time of the past. These concentrations can be as broad as the middle ages or as narrow as American Early Federal and Jacksonian Eras. As you compare colleges, some of the time period-based specialties you might find include:
- America Since 1900
- American Sectional Conflict and Gilded Age
- the Classical World
- the Modern Western World
You’ll take a set of courses related to your chosen concentration. You will also take a variety of courses in other historical time periods and locations as part of your required core curriculum.
Specialize by Subject Matter
Some of the most popular geography specializations for history majors focus not on a single time or place, but on a specific subject. Broad subject matter specialties can include:
- geography
- public history
- economical history
Other subject matter specialties have a narrower focus. For example, you might be able to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in military history by studying past and modern wars and military actions that the United States has been involved in. A number of undergraduate history degree programs now offer concentrations in the history of a group of people, such as women’s history and African American history. Some academic concentrations are more popular with today’s history students than others. They include:
- women’s history
- African American history
- world history
These saw an increase in the number of undergraduate history students, the AHA reports. While some bachelor’s degree programs in history allow students to earn a general history degree, there are benefits to focusing your studies. All of history is simply too vast to develop an in-depth knowledge of it in just a few short years of study. When you choose to concentrate in one of these specializations for history majors, you can tailor your education to your interests. You can cultivate enough knowledge of a specialty to continue building upon it.
Related Resources:
- 30 Best History Degree Online Programs (Bachelor’s)
- In What Ways Can a History Major Provide Litigation Support?
- What is the Best Degree for Becoming a High School History Teacher?
- What Jobs Can You Get with a History Degree?
- What Skills Do I Need to Succeed in the Study of History?
- 15 Creative Jobs for History Majors
- 5 Fascinating Careers in Travel for History Majors
- 5 High Paying Careers for Someone with a History Degree
- 5 Ways a History Degree Can Help You in the Field of Media Communications
- Can a History Major Study Ancient History?