Online Graduate Certificate in History
Become a History Teacher for Postsecondary Learners
Grand Canyon University’s online graduate certificate in history provides those with a master’s degree and teaching background the opportunity to teach online or on-campus history courses at two or four-year institutions. This program serves as a continuing education pathway for teachers pursuing possible career advancement, a new career path within the education field or a profession where you can share your passion for history.
Pursue Your Graduate Certificate in History Online at GCU
Take the opportunity to fulfill continuing education credits and acquire new knowledge and skills in your career field with added flexibility. Designed for working professionals, this online graduate certificate in history can be completed on your schedule through GCU’s digital learning platform. You will have access to online learning resources and faculty who are knowledgeable in the history and education fields.
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Research and Analyze Events in History
As a student who is curious about and fascinated by American and world history, you will be given the tools to build upon your historical knowledge and discover how to translate this knowledge into instruction for undergraduate classrooms.
This history graduate program certificate offers five select courses from GCU’s Master of Arts in History with an Emphasis in Education. You can expect to engage in the following topics:
- Historical global themes – population, economic networks, power and authority, government, race and class, cultural integration, science, technology, environment, spiritual life, ethics and gender
- Historical U.S. themes – migration and immigration, religious and philosophical thought, republic and democracy, industrialization, business, labor, prosperity and consumerism, reform movements, social justice, war and society in American history
- Resources and opportunities provided by museums, historic places and archives to support teaching postsecondary history courses
- How diverse cultures, dynamics, economics and politics shaped the American West frontier into modern America
- Understanding of the past through contextual perspectives of race, class, gender and ethnicity and how these elements shaped the past
Career Paths for Graduate Certificate in History Holders
Equipped with this online graduate certificate in history, graduates who hold at least a master’s degree and meet state teaching licensure or certification requirements have the opportunity to pursue positions in higher education as a college or university professor, faculty member or instructor. Potential workplaces include two or four-year colleges, universities, trade or technical schools and companies that specialize in educational research and publishing.
Qualified graduates can enter into the higher education field with increasing job opportunities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for postsecondary teachers to increase by about 12% from 2021 to 2031, faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 159,400 jobs in the field.1
Online Graduate Certificate in History FAQs
Learn more about the graduate certificate in history by reading through our answers to these common questions.
The graduate certificate in history program at GCU requires 20 credits to completion and the online courses are generally eight weeks.
The history graduate program certificate is designed to help working professionals in the history and education fields earn continued education credits and develop the skills needed to position themselves for possible career advancement or change.
GCU’s master’s in history education degree was ranked best online master’s program for educators in 2022.2 The online graduate certificate in history offers select courses from GCU’s master’s program. Speak to a university counselor to see how you may transfer credits into the master’s program.
To become a history teacher at the K-12 level, you will likely need to hold state-level certification in addition to a bachelor’s or graduate degree in education.3 To become a college history instructor, you will need to have at least a master’s degree with a focus in history education or a graduate certificate in history. For requirements specific to your state, check with the state board of education or speak with a GCU university counselor.
GCU’s graduate certificate in history offers five courses, all online, so you can benefit from earning an education on a more flexible schedule. You will have access to knowledgeable faculty and learning resources throughout the program.
If you are ready to build upon your knowledge of history and pedagogy, complete the form on this page to continue your education at GCU. Our university counselors are available to help answer your questions and set you on the right path for your career goals.
1 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Postsecondary Teachers, retrieved on Jan. 19, 2023.
2 Retrieved from Intelligent, Best Master’s in History Degree Programs of 2022, in July 2022.
3 Teacher Certification Degrees. (n.d.). History Teacher Career Guide. Retrieved on July 19, 2023.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course examines world history as a set of thematic concepts, highlighting the significant historiographical questions, examples, and resources for study of historical global themes such as population; economic networks; power, authority, and government; class, race, and gender; cultural expression; science, technology, and environment; and spiritual life and moral codes
Course Description
This course examines U.S. history as a set of thematic concepts, highlighting the significant historiographical questions, examples, and resources for study of historical themes such as migration and immigration; religious and philosophical thought; the republic and democracy; industrialization, business, and labor; prosperity and consumerism; reform movements and social justice; and war and society in U.S. history.
Course Description
This course introduces students to applied studies in history. Students have opportunities to engage in applied (public) history practice with focus toward using these methods in the classroom. Emphasis is placed on the resources and opportunities provided by museums, historic places, and archives for teaching secondary and postsecondary courses.
Course Description
This course investigates the history of the American West as both a region west of the Mississippi River, and an ideology that shaped cultures, economics, and politics, from frontier to modern America. Using historiography and applied research, students examine the diverse cultures and dynamics that made the American West a unique place in American history.
Course Description
This course explores historical perspectives of race, class, gender, and ethnicity as lenses of stratification, identity, and experience that shape the historical record. Through historiography and applied research, students examine the contextual perspectives of race, class, gender, and ethnicity that shape our understanding of the past.
- GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
- Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
- Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.