Free Online U.S. History Courses from Top Universities

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If you want to take a college-level course in American history, consider saving yourself the tuition money and trying one of these non-credit courses instead. Course topics include the history of a specific state and important time periods in U.S. history.
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Free U.S. History Courses

Here are some online U.S. History courses offered free by three top universities: Utah State University (USU), the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Utah.

Utah State University (USU)

USU has two U.S. History courses worth taking a look at: History of Utah and U.S. Institutions. History of Utah is a reading and writing intensive course that focuses on events of historical importance within the state. U.S. Institutions explores the origins and evolution of the Constitution.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT's Open Courseware provides several course topics in American history. The Places of Migration in United States History focuses on immigration to the U.S. since the mid-19th century. The Civil War and Reconstruction inspects the causes and effects of the Civil War between 1861 and 1865.

University of Utah

The University of Utah has allowed Studyblue to post terms and tests from their American Civilization 1700 course. This course scans American civilization from the colonial period to the present.

Free Online U.S. History Courses at a Glance

Course & SchoolProgram LevelFormatAssignmentsQuizzes & ExamsDownloadable
History of Utah course from USUUndergraduateExternal Reading ResourcesYesNoNo
U.S. Institutions course from USUUndergraduateText LessonsNoNoNo
The Places of Migration in United States History course from MITUndergraduateText LessonsYesNoYes
The Civil War and Reconstruction course from MITUndergraduateText LessonsYesYesYes
America in the Nuclear Age course from MITUndergraduateExternal Reading ResourcesYesNoYes
America in Depression and War course from MITUndergraduateExternal Reading ResourcesYesNoYes
War & American Society course from MITUndergraduateExternal Reading ResourcesYesNoYes
Prohibition and Permission course from MITUndergraduateExternal Reading ResourcesYesYesYes
Out of Ground Zero: Catastrophe and Memory course from MITUndergraduateExternal Reading ResourcesNoNoYes
The Emergence of Modern America 1865-Present course from MITUndergraduateExternal Reading ResourcesYesNoYes
American Civilization 1700 course from University of UtahUndergraduateStudy/Test MaterialsNoYesNo

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Public Admin - Government and Policy
      • Master of Public Admin - Government and Policy
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Arts in History for Secondary Education (ITL)
      • Bachelor of Arts in History for Secondary Education (ITL)
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • PHD: History
      • PHD: History
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
      • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
    Certificate
      • CTG: History
      • CTG: History
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Penn Foster High School

    Program Options

    High School Diploma
      • HS Diploma
      • HS Diploma
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Master's
      • MSPRO - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
      • MSPRO - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
  • University of Maryland Global Campus

  • Cambridge, MA

    Harvard University

  • Mount Pleasant, MI

    Central Michigan University

  • New York, NY

    Touro College

  • Western Governors University

Featured Schools

The schools and programs listed below are popular educational options, and tuition varies based on program and location

Grand Canyon University

  • Master of Public Admin - Government and Policy
  • Bachelor of Arts in History for Secondary Education (ITL)

What is your highest level of education?

Liberty University

  • PHD: History
  • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
  • CTG: History

What is your highest level of education?

Penn Foster High School

  • HS Diploma

What is your highest level of education?

Purdue Global

  • MSPRO - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity

Which subject are you interested in?

University of Maryland Global Campus