North Dakota 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 · 53 sections · 11 unique courses · Spring 2026 · Updated today
History coursework at North Dakota 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 53 sections across 5 NDUS 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 is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
| College | Sections | Courses | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck State College | 22 | 3 | 3 |
| North Dakota State College of Science | 10 | 3 | 2 |
| Williston State College | 8 | 5 | — |
| Lake Region State College | 7 | 6 | 2 |
| Dakota College at Bottineau | 6 | 2 | 2 |
History Availability Snapshot
How history sections are being offered across 5 colleges in North Dakota this term (53 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person44 (83%)
- online9 (17%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)19
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)12
- Asynchronous / TBA22
Start dates
Sections begin on 5 distinct dates. 2 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 26 distinct instructors across 5 colleges.
Common History courses
- HIST 104United States Since 1877(33 sections)
- HIST 102Western Civilization II(7 sections)
- HIST 103United States to 1877(4 sections)
- HIST 220North Dakota History(2 sections)
- HIST 101Western Civilization I(1 section)
- HIST 210United States Military History(1 section)
- HIST 221History of the American Frontier(1 section)
- HIST 239The U.S. and the Vietnam War(1 section)
- HIST 223History Of The Lewis & Clark Expedition(1 section)
- HIST 257The Cold War(1 section)
- HIST 299Special Topics in History(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 Dakota 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 Dakota. 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 Dakota’s history programs stack up.
Other programs in North Dakota
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.