North Carolina 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.
51 colleges · 929 sections · 15 unique courses · Spring 2026
History coursework at North Carolina 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 929 sections across 51 NCCCS 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
History Availability Snapshot
How history sections are being offered across 51 colleges in North Carolina this term (929 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person502 (54%)
- online367 (40%)
- hybrid34 (4%)
- zoom26 (3%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)250
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)101
- Evening (5 PM and after)3
- Asynchronous / TBA575
Start dates
Sections begin on 31 distinct dates. 335 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 289 distinct instructors across 51 colleges.
Common History courses
- HIS 132American History II(335 sections)
- HIS 131American History I(276 sections)
- HIS 111World Civilizations I(175 sections)
- HIS 112World Civilizations II(123 sections)
- HIS 221African-American History(8 sections)
- HIS 236North Carolina History(3 sections)
- HIS 121Western Civilization I(1 section)
- HIS 122Western Civilization II(1 section)
- HIS 162Women and History(1 section)
- HIS 212Medieval History(1 section)
- HIS 223African-American Hist II(1 section)
- HIS 226The Civil War(1 section)
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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina. 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 North Carolina’s history programs stack up.
Other programs in North Carolina
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.