5 Reasons to Get a Master’s Degree in History

A master’s degree in history can help prepare students to work in a variety of fields that are research-related. The degree can also provide students with a wide range of transferable skills. These skills may include expressing clearly, advancing arguments and ideas, assessing and investigating material, organizing material, and basing conclusions on sound research.

Five Reasons to Get a Master’s Degree in History

1. Greater Access to Career Options – Historians with a master’s degree in history may be able to teach at the community college level. There may also be opportunities available to work at museums, research centers and libraries. There is also a periodic need for historians who can provide the research needed to advance restoration projects.
2. Greater Access to Alternative Career Options – Graduates with a master’s degree in history may not always choose to work strictly as historians. There are other career duties that do not include analysis and research. Several alternative career options involve helping preserve historical artwork, and working as preservationists in historical societies and government institutions, etc.
3. The Ability to Illuminate the Past and the Future – The historian’s role can be that of teacher, politician, historian, government employee, or education publisher. The applications of a master’s degree in history are far-reaching. Publishing, journalism, charity and the volunteer sectors are possible career destinations as well.
4. Starting a Business – Historical fiction is a possible area for history writers to develop a niche. Accuracy and genuineness can go a long way in helping improve the art of storytelling. There is always a need, somewhere in the world, for people who can share and interpret the history of a location. Tourist guides often give tours on bus rides, walking, or by horse. They can make tours fun and informative for tourists.
5. To Enter, the Field of Law – Studying for a master’s in history can prepare students for the rigors of law school. Lawyers must be able to argue persuasively using historical data. Some historians even choose to serve as litigation support specialists or to become paralegals.

Famous People who received a Degree in History

You should also know that there are some very famous people out there that received a master’s degree in history. Here are a few of them listed below:

1. Woodrow Wilson: Woodrow Wilson was 28th President of the United States. He is also known for leading the United States through the First World War and developing the League of Nations, which is where United Nations is derived from. He was also a known advocate for woman’s suffrage. Wilson received his history degree from Princeton University.
2. Jimmy Buffett: A little known fact about the famous singer and song writer is that he has a history degree from Auburn University. Some of his most famous songs are Margaritaville, Come Monday, and Volcano. He has also made some brief cameo appearances in movies like Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Urban Cowboy.
3. Sacha Baron Cohen: Yes, the man who brought you the famous character Borat also has a degree in history from Cambridge University. He has also starred in other movies such as The Dictator and Talladega Nights with Will Ferrell. Cohen is also known for performing comedy as well.
4. John Lithgow: The famous actor from 3rd Rock from the Sun received a degree from Harvard University in literature and history. While Lithgow isn’t the most famous of actors, he has recently taken up roles in movies like Interstellar and Planet of the Apes. He was also the voice of Lord Farquaad in Shrek.
5. George W. Bush: The 43rd president of the United States received his history degree from Yale University. He is well known for leading the United States through the tragedy of the terrorist attacks on September 11th and leading the war on terror against Osama Bin Laden and Suddam Hussein.

History is always with us. It is created each and every moment. It is an opportunity for the world to study the past and learn from both its wins and losses. There will be those who claim that a master’s degree in history will be life-limiting. Ignore the rhetoric and realize that you are the captain of your fate and the master of your soul.