Associate of Arts

Associate of Science

Bachelor's of Arts

Bachelor's of Science

Historical Studies

Explore the people, events, and ideas that shaped the world with SUNY Empire’s online degree in historical studies.

Customize your program to match your interests (like U.S. history, global conflicts, or cultural movements) while building research, writing, and analytical skills for careers in education, public service, law, museums, or journalism.

- Students seeking an associate degree in Historical Studies will complete at least 12 credits of coursework in Historical Studies, demonstrating a foundation for advanced level learning/course work in the discipline. The history faculty expects that bachelor's degree programs in historical studies will consist of the following elements and allow students to acquire specific enabling skills and competencies. The courses listed below will meet each foundation, though these lists are not exhaustive.
- Foundation # 1: Introductory Learning The history faculty expects that bachelor's degree programs in historical studies will consist of the following elements and allow students to acquire specific enabling skills and competencies. The courses listed below will meet each foundation, though these lists are not exhaustive. Course List Concentration in American History
- HIST 2025
  
  US History to 1865: What Does it Mean to be a Free Nation?
- HIST 2030
  
  US History From 1865 to the Present
- Concentration in Historical Studies
- HIST 1070
  
  Global History from the 1500
- HIST 1075
  
  Global History to 1500
- HIST 1115
  
  Western Civilization I
- HIST 1120
  
  Western Civilization II
- HIST 2025
  
  US History to 1865: What Does it Mean to be a Free Nation?
- HIST 2030
  
  US History From 1865 to the Present
- Concentration in Global History
- HIST 1070
  
  Global History from the 1500
- HIST 1075
  
  Global History to 1500
- HIST 1115
  
  Western Civilization I
- HIST 1120
  
  Western Civilization II
- Foundation #2: Breadth The intention of this foundation is for mentors and students to locate one or more courses that broaden the learning in the concentration. Breadth might be defined in terms of geography, time period, national or cultural experience, or, even, methodology. A concentration in American History or Historical Studies, for example, might include one or more courses on Africa, China, or Europe.
- Foundation #3: Diversity
- HIST 1010
  
  African- American History to 1861
- HIST 1015
  
  African-American History: 1861 –1941
- HIST 1030
  
  American Military History
- HIST 2013
  
  Race in United States Politics
- HIST 2025
  
  US History to 1865: What Does it Mean to be a Free Nation?
- HIST 2035
  
  Women & Work in American History
- HIST 2045
  
  American Environmental History: Introduction
- HIST 2050
  
  History of American Medicine and Public Health: Introductory
- HIST 2055
  
  History of American Families and Children: Introductory
- HIST 2060
  
  History of Social Welfare: Introductory
- HIST 2065
  
  Long Island History: Introduction
- HIST 2137
  
  The Civil War: Introduction
- HIST 3060
  
  American Environmental History
- HIST 3070
  
  American Immigration
- HIST 3085
  
  American Labor History
- HIST 3086
  
  U.S. Unions since the 1960s
- HIST 3090
  
  American Military History: Advanced
- HIST 3100
  
  American Religious History I
- HIST 3110
  
  American Urban & Suburban History
- HIST 3115
  
  American Women's History
- HIST 3152
  
  History of Social Welfare in the US: Advanced
- HIST 3190
  
  Fashion in U.S. History
- HIST 3200
  
  Food in American History
- HIST 3230
  
  Health & Wellness in American History
- HIST 3237
  
  History of the American Presidency
- HIST 3242
  
  American Religious History II
- HIST 3250
  
  History of American Popular Culture
- HIST 3255
  
  History of American Sexuality
- HIST 3272
  
  History of American Families and Children: Advanced 4
- HIST 3320
  
  Jews of Russia Poland Ukraine: 1772-1917
- HIST 3345
  
  Modern American History
- HIST 3385
  
  New York State History
- HIST 3440
  
  American Ethnic History
- HIST 3590
  
  Hip Hop America: The Evolution of a Cultural Movement
- HIST 3605
  
  Madness in American History
- HIST 3630
  
  The Civil Rights Movement
- HIST 3635
  
  Foundations in American History: Advanced
- HIST 3650
  
  Civil War History
- HIST 3655
  
  Adirondack History
- HIST 3665
  
  Long Island History: Advanced
- HIST 3690
  
  History of Antisemitism
- HIST 3710
  
  Jews in US History: 1654-present
- HIST 3715
  
  Movin' on Up: Class in America in the Movies
- HIST
  
  3720 The Holocaust
- HIST 4005
  
  Mad Men Mad Women: History of Women in the Twentieth Century
- HIST 4010
  
  Rock and Roll History
- Foundation #4: Links to Other Disciplines At least one course must link the student’s program to other disciplines, including but not limited to anthropology, economics, literature, political science, psychology, and sociology. The department encourages mentors and students to choose courses outside of the department that supports learning in the student’s concentration. A concentration in World History might, for example, incorporate a course outside of the discipline in economics (e.g., ECON 3110 Social and Economic Contexts of Globalization), literature (e.g., LITR 3140 West African Literature), or political science (POLI 3065 International Politics and Relations). Foundation #5: Independent Inquiry, Research, and Analysis At least one upper-level course must require the student to conduct independent inquiry and research. In that course the student is asked to evaluate primary and secondary sources that record and interpret the past toward completion of a final research project, documented using the Chicago Manual of Style. One or more of the following courses, equivalent transcript credit, or prior learning will meet this guideline:
- Course List
- HIST 3005
  
  19th Century Eastern Europe
- HIST 3012
  
  Hillary vs. Trump: The 2016 Presidential Election
- HIST 3050
  
  American Colonial History: Advanced
- HIST 3090
  
  American Military History: Advanced
- HIST 3110
  
  American Urban & Suburban History
- HIST 3125
  
  Ancient Rome: Republic & Empire: Advanced
- HIST 3152
  
  History of Social Welfare in the US: Advanced
- HIST 3180
  
  Enlightenment: Advanced Research
- HIST 3207
  
  Age of Jackson
- HIST 3212
  
  Age of Reagan
- HIST 3215
  
  Generals of the American Civil War
- HIST 3217
  
  Progressivism & Normalcy
- HIST 3222
  
  The Liberal Ascendancy
- HIST 3225
  
  German Nationalism 1800-Present
- HIST 3227
  
  Federalists and Jeffersonians
- HIST 3232
  
  The Great War 1914-1918
- HIST 3237
  
  History of the American Presidency
- HIST 3242
  
  American Religious History II
- HIST 3245
  
  Historiography & Methods
- HIST 3260
  
  History of Christianity
- HIST 3260
  
  History of Christianity
- HIST 3272
  
  History of American Families and Children: Advanced
- HIST 3277
  
  French Revolution
- HIST 3282
  
  Europe in the Global Age: 1950-present
- HIST 3305
  
  Imperial Russia
- HIST 3315
  
  Jews of Habsburg Austria: 1670-1918
- HIST 3320
  
  Jews of Russia Poland Ukraine: 1772-1917
- HIST 3325
  
  Jews & Germans: 1770-1933
- HIST 3345
  
  Modern American History
- HIST 3345
  
  Modern American History
- HIST 3355
  
  Modern Russia
- HIST 3370
  
  Nationalism in Modern Europe
- HIST 3375
  
  Native American Histories & Cultures: Advanced
- HIST 3382
  
  History of New York City
- HIST 3400
  
  Pirates & Privateers
- HIST 3420
  
  Revolutionary America: Advanced
- HIST 3495
  
  The Great Depression & the New Deal
- HIST 3510
  
  The Reformation
- HIST 3535
  
  World War II
- HIST 3500
  
  History of Warfare in Western World
- HIST 3570
  
  Women in the Middle East
- HIST 3635
  
  Foundations in American History: Advanced
- HIST 3650
  
  Civil War History
- HIST 3665
  
  Long Island History: Advanced
- HIST 3670
  
  Barack Obama & His Presidency
- HIST 3675
  
  History of America in the 1960s Era
- HIST 3685
  
  History of American Politics: 1974-2008
- HIST 3690
  
  History of Antisemitism
- HIST 3705
  
  History of the US Navy
- HIST 3710
  
  Jews in US History: 1654-present
- HIST 3715
  
  Movin' on Up: Class in America in the Movies
- HIST 3720
  
  The Holocaust
- HIST 3725
  
  The Evangelical Right in American Politics and Culture
- HIST 3730
  
  The Tea Party in American Politics
- HIST 4006
  
  History of Conservative Talk Radio, Media, and U.S. Politics
- HIST 4015
  
  Multiethnic Empire: Habsburg Austria -1740-1918
- HIST 4020
  
  Senior Thesis I: Research
- HIST 4025
  
  Senior Thesis II: Writing & Presentation
- HIST 4122
  
  Contemporary Issues in US Immigration
- Students need at least 24 advanced level credits in their concentration area for bachelor’s degrees.

Ready to Apply?

The deadline for the Fall 2025 term is August 1. How to Apply

What you'll learn

Understand key historical developments
Analyze primary and secondary sources
Explore diverse perspectives in history
Connect history with other disciplines

An online bachelor’s or associate degree in historical studies can lead to a wide range of careers that value critical thinking and research. Possible career paths include:

Educator or Researcher
Museum or Cultural Heritage Professional
Journalist or Writer
Public Policy or Government Professional
Historic Preservation Specialist

Career Services

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Find what you enjoy in life and focus on that.

Michael

B.S. in Historical Studies (‘23)

Take the First Step Toward a Career in Historical Studies

We're here to support you every step of the way, making your journey to a historical studies degree as enriching and meaningful as possible. Our dedicated advisors will help you explore major events and ideas, strengthen your research and analytical skills, and move closer to a career in education, public service, museums, law, journalism, or related fields.

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Put your past experience toward your degree. Use transfer credits, work experience, or life skills to get a head start, save money, and earn your degree faster.

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Apply for a Historical Studies Program

Make sure you have all the admissions requirements and complete your application to be ready for our next term!

How To Apply

Next start term

Fall 2025

Deadline to apply

August 1

Start Your Degree

as soon as September 2, 2025.

Our experienced faculty bring decades of real-world expertise in historical studies. They’re here to help you build the skills to analyze historical events, interpret primary sources, and understand how the past shapes today’s world. This prepares you for thoughtful, impactful work in education, research, public service, and beyond.

All Faculty

Anthony Anadio

Visiting Assistant Professor

Anna Bates

Professor

Historical Studies

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