Become a history teacher by earning your History Education bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana

Do you have a passion for the past you want to share with others? Earn your bachelor’s degree in history, with a concentration in history education, and complete your secondary teaching licensure to teach history or take on other educator roles with an historical focus.

As a history major at UM, you’ll ask bold questions about the past to discover answers that can transform how we understand today’s world. You’ll work closely with faculty who are acclaimed researchers and award-winning teachers, exploring everything from the ancient Mediterranean to modern Latin America. You’ll also have unique opportunities for undergraduate research, internships and other field-based learning experiences that allow you to take your studies beyond the classroom and into the world.

95%

of our courses are taught by full-time faculty with PhDs in history. 

5

faculty have won the Cox Award for Teaching Excellence; 2 were nominated for CASE Professor of the Year. 

100%

of students complete an original research project with faculty mentors. 

What can you do with a history education degree?

Students who choose the history education concentration are generally interested in teaching history in secondary school classrooms. However, this program provides strong preparation for other career pathways as well that involve history pedagogy and historical research — such as positions in archives, museums and historic preservation. Learn more about what you can do with a history degree.

History teacher jobs

  • History Teacher (grades 5-12)
  • National Park Ranger
  • Archivist
  • Librarian
  • Museum Curator
  • Historical Consultant
  • Writer

History teacher salary

How much can you expect to earn as a history teacher? According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, high school teachers earn a median pay of $62,870 per year, nationally. Middle school teachers in the United States earn an average of $60,810.

Other degree options for history at UM

Montana Teacher of the Year (2019), Dylan Huisken, graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in History from the University of Montana in 2013.

Experiential learning in the history education program

If you like the idea of getting hands-on learning experience in the field, you’re in the right place. As a history education major at UM, you’ll have numerous and diverse opportunities for experiential learning through internships, community engagement projects, research and study abroad.

Undergraduate research in the history program

Work with our award-winning faculty on cutting-edge research on issues such as democracy, race, gender, social justice, war and violence, and international relations. All of our history majors complete an original history project working with a faculty mentor.

Internships and community engagement

Apply your classroom studies to real-world experiences in Missoula and around the globe. Internship programs with historical societies, museums and other local organizations are a great way to develop your professional skills and connect with potential career opportunities. Our history majors have also participated in a variety of community engagement projects such as the Black Solidarity Summit and the University of Montana and Missoula County Covid-19 Oral History Collection Project. View a gallery of projects for the history bachelor’s degree.

Study abroad for history education majors

Teach history in other parts of the world. Students in the history education program at UM have studied abroad in places such as Germany and Wales. Learn more about study abroad opportunities at the University of Montana.

Career development in the history education major

At UM, we are here to help you succeed in your career as well as in the classroom. It begins with the dedication and mentorship of our faculty. In addition to being leading researchers who are known around the world, our history faculty have won more teaching awards than any other department here at UM.

There are so many ways to get involved and make lasting connections in the history education program at UM. Clubs such as the UM History Society and Phi Alpha Theta host events and hold networking opportunities. Lectures, workshops, conferences and friendly get-togethers provide students, faculty and alumni with additional opportunities to share ideas and good times.

Scholarships for history majors

Get extra help paying for your history degree. Each year, we award more than $15,000 in scholarships to majors in history. Learn more about scholarships in the history program.

Explore classes for the degree in history education

Coursework for this program explores the history of societies from ancient Athens to the early-21st-century United States. To complete the history teaching degree, you’ll need to complete the Teacher Education Program through UM’s Department of Teaching and Learning.

View all classes for the concentration in history education at the University of Montana.