Early U.S. history as a structured way to think historically
Explore early U.S. history while earning affordable, transferable college credit — with no application and no risk.
United States to 1865 (HST 109) is an online ASU history course offered through Universal Learner Courses for $25, with the option to add official ASU college credit for $400.
United States to 1865 (HST 109) is a college-level history course for people who want a disciplined, evidence-based understanding of how the United States took shape and how historians interpret that process.
In practice, the course is taken by learners who simply want to engage seriously with early U.S. history, alongside high school students earning optional credit, adults returning to academic study and learners completing general studies requirements. Because HST 109 emphasizes historical thinking rather than memorization, it is often used as a way to practice analyzing evidence, weighing competing interpretations and understanding how narratives about the past are constructed.
Learners enroll for $25, complete the full course and receive a final grade. Afterward, they decide whether adding official ASU credit for $400 fits their goals. For some, the course stands on its own as a meaningful exploration of American history. For others, it functions as a familiar foundational course that supports a return to college-level work.
This page explains what HST 109 covers, how the course works and how learners typically use it.