Bachelor of Arts, History Major

At a glance

Credential: degree
Credits: 90 or 120
Next start: monthly

AU’s History major is designed to not just teach you dates and events, but to equip you with the critical thinking skills needed to make sense of the present

35
Average age
94%
Employment rate
^$45k
Median income
97%
Student satisfaction

Source: 2024 AU institutional data and 2024 Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS)

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About Bachelor of Arts, History Major

The rapid changes in the economy, technology, and society of our era are part of longer patterns of continuity and change. The study of history helps place current issues and events in context, offering insight into how the past informs decisions in the present.

The history program at Athabasca University will help you to:

explain historical continuity and change to better understand events and ideas over time
critically analyze evidence from past events and historians’ interpretations
identify key historiographical debates, including the theories and methods historians use
communicate historical findings and their implications clearly and effectively

Athabasca’s history major leads you through the periods, people, and places that excite your interests as you gain skills for a wide range of careers. Investigate how people understood and shaped their world across diverse cultures and eras, from ancient civilizations to the modern age. AU offers a variety of history courses, from cultural history, social or political history, to the history of gender or ideas, with strengths in Europe and North America, and a growing number of courses in global history and the history of the Middle East and Africa.

You’ll build strong analytical and communication skills and learn how historians approach complex questions about the past. It’s not just about learning what happened. It’s about developing the tools to interpret history and explain why it matters today.

Admission requirements

There are no formal admission requirements for either the 3-year or the 4-year program. All you need is to be 16 or older. You can enrol anytime and start right away, regardless of your previous education.

Program details

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts, History builds strong analytical, research, and communication skills through the study of the past. The program is designed to help you:

understand historical continuity and change to place events and ideas in context
analyze and interpret historical evidence and scholarly perspectives
engage with the theories and methods historians use to understand the past and offer perspectives on the present
communicate historical insights clearly and effectively

Routes and options

The Bachelor of Arts, History Major is an online degree program, with both a 3-year and a 4-year option. There are no set start dates – you can enrol at any time and register for courses right away.

Bachelor of Arts, History Concentration (3-year online degree)

A 3-year degree is a well-respected and marketable credential in Canada and the United States.
It does not provide direct access to graduate-level studies.
You can extend your 3-year degree to a 4-year degree at a later date, if you wish. Learn more about degree conversion.

Bachelor of Arts, History Major (4-year online degree)

A 4-year degree fully prepares students for most graduate programs.
The 4-year BA program allows you to pursue either a double major or a minor.
- Double majors must meet the requirements for both majors, which may restrict course selection or require additional credits above the 120 required for the BA.
- You should talk to an academic advisor about your program and courses if you’re considering a double major.
- To earn a minor you must complete 30 credits in that subject area.
List of minors:
- Anthropology
- Canadian Studies
- English
- French
- Global Studies
- Humanities
- Inclusive Education
- Labour Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Economy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Women's and Gender Studies
AU does not offer an Honours BA.

Completing this certificate puts you on your way to achieving your Bachelor of Commerce, General or Bachelor of Commerce, Major in Indigenous Business.

Finish the concentration option in 3 years of full-time study, the major option in 4 years, or work at your own pace and take as long as you need. There is no time limit for completion. The program may be completed faster if transfer credit is applied toward your degree.

How to apply

You can apply to AU online, anytime. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.

How to enrol in an undergraduate program

Transfer and advanced credit

If you have previous post-secondary education or significant life and work experience that relates to this program, you may be eligible for transfer credit or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). This could mean fewer courses to get your AU degree.

If you transfer credit, you must complete a minimum of 30 credits at AU.

Learn about transfer and advanced credit at AU

Request and send your transcripts if you want us to consider your previous post-secondary education for transfer credit.

Learn more about MyCreds

Tuition and fees

Once you have paid the initial application fee, tuition is pay-as-you-go for each course registration. Course fees vary depending on your location and other factors.

Estimated program costs are available in the Calendar.

Financial aid and awards

We are dedicated to supporting your academic goals and committed to helping you overcome financial barriers by providing many funding and award options.

Explore financial aid and awards

0 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
0 credit total	$938	$938	$875	$875

1 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$223	$223	$207	$207
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
1 credit total	$227.50	$227.50	$211.50	$211.50

3 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
3 credit total	$953.50	$953.50	$890.50	$890.50

4 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$892	$892	$828	$828
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
4 credit total	$1,181	$1,181	$1,102	$1,102

6 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,338	$1,338	$1,242	$1,242
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
6 credit total	$1,636	$1,636	$1,525	$1,525

9 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$2,007	$2,007	$1,863	$1,863
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
9 credit total	$2,318.50	$2,318.50	$2,159.50	$2,159.50

0 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
0 credit total	$1,125	$1,125	$1,062	$1,062

1 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$223	$223	$207	$207
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
1 credit total	$227.50	$227.50	$211.50	$211.50

3 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
3 credit total	$1,140.50	$1,140.50	$1,077.50	$1,077.50

4 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$892	$892	$828	$828
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
4 credit total	$1,368	$1,368	$1,289	$1,289

6 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,338	$1,338	$1,242	$1,242
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
6 credit total	$1,823	$1,823	$1,712	$1,712

9 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$2,007	$2,007	$1,863	$1,863
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
9 credit total	$2,505.50	$2,505.50	$2,346.50	$2,346.50

0 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
0 credit total	$1,722	$1,722	$1,659	$1,659

1 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$223	$223	$207	$207
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
Out of country fee	$261	$261	$261	$261
1 credit total	$488.50	$488.50	$472.50	$472.50

3 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$669	$669	$621	$621
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
3 credit total	$1,737.50	$1,737.50	$1,674.50	$1,674.50

4 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$892	$892	$828	$828
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
4 credit total	$1,965	$1,965	$1,886	$1,886

6 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,338	$1,338	$1,242	$1,242
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
6 credit total	$2,420	$2,420	$2,309	$2,309

9 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$2,007	$2,007	$1,863	$1,863
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$181	$181	$166	$166
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$88	$88	$88	$88
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
9 credit total	$3,102.50	$3,102.50	$2,943.50	$2,943.50

Courses

Our carefully designed program offers a wide range of courses, covering everything from Canadian and European history to global perspectives, all while meeting rigorous academic standards for both junior and senior-level credits.

To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Bachelor of Arts, plus those specific to your major, minor or concentration.

Our program course plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you’ll take them in. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.

Program requirements

Program course plan

Calculate course fees

Additional links

Bachelor of Arts program requirements
History concentration program requirements

Courses to explore

Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program. Please consult an advisor to confirm any course planning, as some of these courses may not apply to you.

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Career options

Unlock diverse career paths with a BA in History from AU. From research and education to roles in government, museums, and cultural organizations, your understanding of historical contexts can be a valuable asset in various professional fields.

Some careers could include:

historic interpreter
national/provincial park interpreter
Parks Canada service supervisor
historic researcher
records manager
museum technician/assistant
museum interpreter volunteer coordinator
heritage assistant
preservation/restoration assistant
immigration officer
foreign service officer
events coordinator
writer
archival assistant
lobbyist
collections manager

Resources and links

Additional information that you need to know about AU and this program.

Program resources

Additional resources

Program contact

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