Athabasca University

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Arts, History major is an online degree offered in both a three-year concentration and a four-year major. It emphasizes understanding historical continuity and change, interpreting evidence and scholarly perspectives, and communicating historical insights. Students may enrol at any time and there is no time limit for program completion; transfer credit and PLAR can reduce the number of courses required.

What you'll study

The program moves through periods, regions and themes—from ancient civilizations to the modern age—while teaching students how historians construct interpretations. Course offerings include cultural, social and political history, the history of gender and ideas, with particular strengths in European and North American history and an expanding set of courses in global history, the Middle East and Africa. Learning objectives include explaining continuity and change, critically analysing primary evidence and historians’ arguments, identifying historiographical debates and communicating findings clearly.

Entry requirements

There are no formal academic admission requirements for either the 3-year or 4-year option. Applicants must be at least 16 years old. You can apply online at any time; after paying the one-time general application fee (and a transfer-credit evaluation fee if applicable) you may begin registering in courses immediately.

Career prospects

The program develops analytical, research and communication skills useful across many sectors. Athabasca University data (2024) lists an average student age of 35, a 94% employment rate among graduates, a median income of $45,000 and 97% student satisfaction. A 3-year concentration is a marketable credential but does not provide direct access to graduate studies; the 4-year major prepares students for most graduate programs and allows minors or double majors (which must meet requirements for both majors).

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Tuition is charged per course on a pay-as-you-go basis and course fees vary by location and other factors; estimated program costs are available in the AU Calendar. AU offers financial aid and awards and supports transfer credit and Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) to help reduce course load. Residents of Alberta can consult AU fee schedules for per-credit and per-course fee components and students should contact AU for details on application fees, transfer-credit evaluation fees and available funding options.