History Teacher Degree at WGU
Are You Looking to Get a Degree in History?
If you’re thinking about enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program to become a history teacher, there are other educational routes to consider that can open a range of career options.
While WGU doesn’t currently offer a degree in history, this guide will explore how the knowledge and skills learned in other bachelor’s degree programs can be applied to a multitude of teaching jobs.
Needed Skills for History Teachers and Similar Professions
Being an educator takes passion, leadership, and patience, no matter what subject or grade level you teach. So, while the role of a history teacher does require specific knowledge of history and cultures, there are many core competencies that history teachers share with math and science teachers, including:
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Leadership skills
- Writing skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Computer literacy skills
- Emotional intelligence
- Patience
- Time management
Depending on your career interests and goals, you might want to consider the following degree programs related to teaching history.
B.S. Mathematics Education (Middle Grades)
This degree will prepare you to become a middle school math teacher and help students from fifth grade through ninth grade develop valuable math skills. Your coursework will include topics such as trigonometry, precalculus, and probability and statistics, as well as core teaching competencies.
B.S. Mathematics Education (Secondary)
This degree prepares you to do more than teach math—it ensures you're ready to work with high school students as they learn to solve complex problems, sharpen their critical thinking, and get ready for the challenges of college. Probability and statistics, calculus, math history, and educational foundations are just some of the courses included in this program.
B.S. Science Education (Middle Grades)
If you love science, you could share that passion with middle school students by earning this degree and becoming a middle school science teacher. WGU’s science teaching degree program includes coursework in general education, foundations of teaching, science, mathematics, pedagogy, science education, field experience, and a teacher performance assessment.
B.S. Science Education (Secondary Physics)
If you have an analytical mind, a drive for understanding the world we live in, and a passion for teaching, this degree will give you the skills and knowledge you need to become a physics teacher. Your program will include courses in general education, foundations of teaching, general science, mathematics, physics, pedagogy, science education, and more.
B.S. Science Education (Secondary Chemistry)
This teaching degree and teacher certification program is for aspiring high school chemistry teachers. It includes classes in general education, foundations of teaching, general science, mathematics, chemistry, pedagogy, and science education, which will give you the knowledge you need to be a great science teacher.
B.S. Science Education (Secondary Biological Sciences)
An online biology degree will prepare you with the knowledge and skills to teach middle and high school students how life on Earth works. Your coursework will cover topics including general science and advanced biology, as well as valuable teaching methods that can improve student outcomes.
B.S. Science Education (Secondary Earth Science)
The earth science education degree program focuses on competencies including astronomy, geology, meteorology, and oceanography. You’ll also take courses covering math, general science, pedagogy, and more, which will prepare you for a career teaching geoscience to middle and high school students.
$77,580
is the average annual salary for a high school math teacher.
Careers Similar to a History Teacher
Being a history teacher is a solid career choice if you’re passionate about history. But, if you’re more driven to share your knowledge in areas outside of just history, there are other career paths to consider, too.
With a degree in science education or mathematics, you can pursue a variety of teaching jobs. In these positions, you’ll have more career options to consider, a wider range of knowledge, and a competitive advantage over other job applicants.
To help you better understand your range of options, here are some jobs you could potentially land with the degree programs mentioned above.
What Does a History Teacher Do?
History teachers are both storytellers and instructors. They aim to create a fun and productive learning environment using different methods (i.e., textbooks and outside resources like primary and secondary materials, and relevant interactive media).
What Does a Science Teacher Do?
A science teacher instructs and guides students to explore and understand concepts in science, including problem-solving and ways to gather evidence to support ideas or decisions. Some science teachers also present science demonstrations or experiments.
What Does a Math Teacher Do?
A math teacher instructs students in the broad field of mathematics. This includes general math and/or any of the fields within mathematics such as algebra, geometry, statistics, and calculus.
What Does a Biology Teacher Do?
Biology teachers work in middle schools or high schools, helping students learn about the origin, distribution, structure, and function of all living organisms. They create lessons in the various subfields of biology, such as genetics and zoology, and they also supervise experiments.
What Does a Physics Teacher Do?
A physics teacher helps students understand the laws of energy, matter, force, and materials. As a physics teacher, you'll work in a middle or high school environment with learners from all kinds of backgrounds.
What Does an Earth Science Teacher Do?
As an earth science teacher, you'll help students study the physical aspects of Earth. This includes providing instruction about geology, the environment, nature, meteorology, oceans and bodies of water, and more. Some earth science teachers also teach students about solar systems.
4%
career growth is expected for both middle school and high school history teachers between 2019 and 2029.
Why Choose WGU?
WGU is dedicated to helping you achieve your educational goals by providing flexible, online degree programs that fit your busy lifestyle. And that’s just the start. Here are a few reasons a WGU degree is a smart choice.
- Low, flat-rate tuition means that no matter how many classes you take in a six-month term, the cost to you is the same.
- Competency-based education allows you to use your prior knowledge to move through coursework at the pace best suited for you. Complete courses as quickly as you master the material to potentially graduate faster and save money.
- Scholarships and financial aid options are available to remove any financial barriers that might be standing in the way of you and your dreams.
- Career-focused curriculum. Our degree programs are designed with your employment and success in mind. The skills you learn will translate directly to your work post-graduation.
Prepared for Success on the Job
*From a 2023 Harris Poll of 300 employers of WGU graduates.
100% of employers said that WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs.*
97% of employers said that they would hire another WGU grad.*
98% of employers said WGU graduates met or exceeded expectations.*
Which Degree Should You Choose?
Education
Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) – B.S.
An online teacher certification program for aspiring middle school math...
An online teacher certification program for aspiring middle school math teachers. Leads to teaching license in states that have a middle-grades math teaching license.
Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching licensure in your state.
- Time: 62% of grads earned this degree within 29 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 39 total courses in this program.
Candidates for this science teaching degree program often include:
- Aspiring junior high math teachers who currently lack a teaching license
- Substitute teachers
- Career-changers with a passion for math
- School paraprofessionals
- Others who feel the call to teach
This science teaching degree program includes requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This science teaching degree prepares you to be eligible for a teaching license in any of the 50 states.
Education
Mathematics Education (Secondary) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle school math teachers and high school math teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 60% of students finish this degree within 40 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 42 total courses in this program (43 for Washington residents).
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Trigonometry and Precalculus
- Probability and Statistics I and II
- Calculus I, II, and III
- Abstract Algebra
- College Geometry
This online math teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This online math teaching degree program helps students become eligible for math teaching certification.
Education
Science Education (Middle Grades) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle school science teachers. Leads to teaching license in all states that have a middle-grades general science teaching license.
Specific grade levels you are qualified to teach will vary depending on teaching certification in your state.
- Time: 62% of students finish this science teaching degree within 34 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 38 total courses in this program (39 for Washington residents).
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Heredity and Genetics
- Astronomy
- Ecology and Environmental Science
- Chemistry
- General Physics
This science teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school chemistry teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 65% of students finish this online chemistry degree within 37 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 39 total courses in this program (40 for Washington residents).
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Physical Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Educational Psychology & Development
- Biochemistry
This chemistry teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. Earn a chemistry degree online and be eligible for a teaching certification.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Physics) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school physics teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching license options in your state.
- Time: 62% of students earn this online physics degree within 49 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 39 total courses in this program (40 for Washington residents).
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Educational Psychology
- Physics: Waves and Optics
- Space, Time and Motion
- Conceptual Physics
- Physics: Mechanics
This physics teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. Graduates of this online teaching degree program will be eligible for teaching certification.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school biology teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on licensure in your state.
- Time: 61% of students earned this online biology degree within 38 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 37 total courses in this program (38 for Washington residents).
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Zoology
- Ecology and Environmental Science
- Health Sciences
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Heredity and Genetics
This biology teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching.
Education
Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) – B.S.
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring...
An online teaching degree and teacher certification program for aspiring middle or high school earth science teachers.
Leads to teacher licensure. Specific grade levels will vary depending on teaching license options in your state.
- Time: 63% of students earn this middle school teaching and high school teaching degree within 33 months.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 37 total courses in this program (38 for Washington residents)
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Ecology and Environmental Science
- General Physics
- Physical Geology
- Earth Systems
- Astronomy
This geosciences teaching degree program requires in-classroom observation and a term of full-time student teaching. This high school teaching degree program prepares you for teaching licensure in any of the 50 states.
