How To Become a History Teacher
What Is a History Teacher?
A history teacher instructs students at the middle and high school levels. They focus on teaching classes in social studies and history. History teachers educate secondary school students about specific time periods, events and movements, exploring different cultures, political systems and trends over time. History teachers prepare their students to take standardized tests and pursue further studies at the postsecondary level.
In addition to teaching students about U.S. and world history, history teachers prepare students for life after high school. They seek to instill critical thinking, analytical reasoning, communication skills and other soft skills in their students, preparing them to enter the job market.
Percentage of people surveyed who believe history is as important to study as business or engineering(See disclaimer 1)
What Does a History Teacher Do?
History teachers focus on teaching social studies and history classes at the secondary level. They may also teach related classes, such as geography, civics, government, anthropology and economics. Some history teachers may offer Advanced Placement (AP) history classes, which enable high-performing high school students to earn college credit while in high school. History teachers prepare students for the next grade level, as well as for life after high school.
What is a history teacher’s main job responsibility? Common tasks include:
Lesson Plans
History teachers develop lesson plans and create assignments.
Class Lectures
History teachers deliver class lectures and encourage students to participate in classroom discussions.
Student Assessments
Teachers must grade students’ assignments and exams to assess their progress.
Classroom Management
History teachers strive to create a welcoming classroom experience, manage student behavior appropriately and encourage engagement.
Parent Outreach
Teachers keep parents and guardians informed of their students’ progress and behavior.
Administration and Development
Administrative tasks include attending faculty meetings, and history teachers may also seek professional development opportunities.
What Experience and Education Does a History Teacher Need?
When considering how to become a history teacher, it’s important to note that not all teachers may follow the same path. Some may come to the profession after having worked in a different field, for example. Despite variations in career pathways, all aspiring history teachers need to meet the basic education requirements, as well as state-mandated licensure and certification requirements for those who plan to teach in public schools.(See disclaimer 2)
High School Diploma
College Degree
Student Teaching
State Licensure/Certification
Best Degrees for a History Teacher
The ideal degree for a future history teacher focuses on both pedagogy and history-specific knowledge. It should align with career goals, such as obtaining initial teacher licensure, and it should cover a breadth of topics — from ancient history to modern U.S. history and beyond. An ideal degree program may also explore state-specific history as well as regional themes.
In summary, the best degrees for a history teacher will cover topics such as:
Historical research methods
Methods of teaching history
Instructional planning
Student assessment
Advocacy and professional ethics
Historical methodologies and major historians
Political, social, cultural and economic history
Ancient and modern history
GCU Recommends These Degree Programs for History Teachers
5 Matching Degrees
What Skills Does a History Teacher Need?
History teachers need to develop a good rapport with students to encourage engagement with the lesson plans and classroom activities. They need to be able to work well with other teachers, administrators and parents, and they need to use data-driven instructional methods. Because of this, a blend of both hard and soft skills is preferable.
Some of the most essential skills for a history teacher include:(See disclaimer 2,3)
Effective communication
Patience
Resourcefulness
Objectivity
Classroom management
Technological literacy
Cultural awareness
Where Do History Teachers Work?
History teachers typically work in middle and high schools.(See disclaimer 4) There are some nontraditional work environments in which a teacher’s skills may prove useful, as well. Transferable skills may lead to opportunities across different industries.
Some of the possible work settings for history teachers include:(See disclaimer 4,6)
Public and Private Middle Schools
In middle schools, history teachers teach foundational history knowledge and competencies, including research skills.
Public and Private High Schools
History teachers in public and private high schools teach advanced research skills and history concepts and contribute to students’ college readiness.
Government Agencies
History teachers in government agencies may influence education policies and public school resources.
Nonprofit Organizations
Nonprofit community organizations may hire history teachers to work with groups of students, such as at-risk students.
Median annual salary for high school teachers as of May 2024(See disclaimer 5)
Projected number of job openings for high school teachers from 2024 through 2034(See disclaimer 7)
Advancement Opportunities for a History Teacher
After gaining experience as a history teacher, you might serve as a mentor to new teachers and student teachers. You might pursue career advancement as a lead teacher. Other advancement opportunities may require additional education and professional credentials, such as becoming a school principal, instructional coordinator, school librarian or school counselor.(See disclaimer 2)
Explore More on History Teachers
Learn more about becoming a history teacher and what you can expect from the teaching career pathway. Explore the following blog articles.
Dive into the educational requirements necessary to pursue a teaching career.
Learn about your potential career options after earning a degree in history education.
Get a breakdown of what you can expect on the teacher certification test, including which competencies are tested and how to prepare.
Follow your passion for history by becoming a history teacher. Apply at GCU today and earn your education degree.
If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the "Accreditation and Compliance/State Disclosures” link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state’s licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).
- American Historical Association. (n.d.). 8. How Much Does the Public Value the Field of History and Historians’ Work? Retrieved March 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). How to Become a High School Teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved March 2026.
- Teachers of Tomorrow. (2025, June 13). How to Become a History Teacher in 2025. Retrieved March 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). High School Teachers: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved March 2026.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), High School Teachers, as of May 2024, retrieved March 2026. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as high school teachers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- AllEducationSchools.com. (2026, Feb. 9). What Can I Do With a Teaching Degree (Besides Teach)? Retrieved March 2026.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, High School Teachers, retrieved March 2026.