Iowa Community Colleges
History Programs
History coursework at community colleges in this state. U.S., world, and topical history sequences for transfer-track liberal-arts students.
5 colleges · 101 sections · 24 unique courses · Fall 2026
History coursework at Iowa community colleges serves two student groups: liberal-arts transfer students completing their gen-ed history requirements, and history majors finishing their first two years before transferring to a four-year history program. The 101 sections across 5 Iowa Community Colleges colleges this term cover US history surveys, world civilizations, and topical electives.
Like other transfer-oriented humanities programs, the value isn't in the associate as a terminal credential — it's in the credit transfer + smaller class sizes + lower tuition for the same content. Students serious about history careers (teaching, archival, academic) continue to bachelor's and often graduate programs; the CC associate is step one of a longer path.
Colleges offering History
| College | Sections | Courses | Online | Awards/yr | 5-yr earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Community College | 30 | 12 | — | — | — |
| Kirkwood Community College | 23 | 7 | 14 | — | — |
| Eastern Iowa Community College District | 21 | 7 | 12 | — | — |
| Iowa Western Community College | 16 | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | 11 | 5 | 5 | 2 | — |
History Availability Snapshot
How history sections are being offered across 5 colleges in Iowa this term (101 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person60 (59%)
- online37 (37%)
- hybrid4 (4%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)23
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)17
- Asynchronous / TBA61
Start dates
Sections begin on 8 distinct dates. 17 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 27 distinct instructors across 5 colleges.
Common History courses
- HIS 151U.S. History to 1877(31 sections)
- HIS 152U.S. History Since 1877(25 sections)
- HIS 110West Civ: Ancient-Early Modern(9 sections)
- HIS 111West Civ: Early Modern-Present(4 sections)
- HIS 117W Civ I: Ancient and Medieval(3 sections)
- HIS 251US History 1945 to Pres(3 sections)
- HIS 118W Civ II: Early Modern(2 sections)
- HIS 257African American History(2 sections)
- HIS 126West & World I Prehistory-500(2 sections)
- HIS 221Holocaust/Genocide:Mem & Lit(2 sections)
- HIS 254American Indian History(2 sections)
- HIS 131World Civilization I(2 sections)
Frequently asked questions
- Is a history major worth pursuing if I'm starting at community college?
- It can be, if you have a clear post-bachelor's plan. History majors land in teaching, law, journalism, publishing, museum work, and government — the major teaches research and writing skills employers value, but the credential alone doesn't open doors. The CC associate is a cost-effective way to complete the first two years; the bachelor's, and often a graduate or professional degree, do the actual career-positioning.
- Do US history and world history requirements transfer between schools?
- Yes — these are general-education staples that articulate cleanly across Iowa public colleges. Specialized history electives (regional, topical) may transfer as upper-division-history-elective credit rather than counting toward a specific major requirement; the structured AA-in-history pathway minimizes this risk.
- What jobs are available with a history associate alone?
- Few that specifically use the history content — entry-level office work, retail management, customer service. The skills built (research, writing, analysis) transfer to many entry roles, but the credential signaling is weaker than career-track associates. Most history students continue to a bachelor's; the associate is step one.
- Can I become a history teacher with just an associate degree?
- No. K-12 social studies teaching requires a bachelor's plus a teaching certification in Iowa. Postsecondary history teaching at community colleges and four-year programs requires at least a master's, usually a Ph.D.
Compare History programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Iowa’s history programs stack up.
Other programs in Iowa
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.