Bachelor of Arts in History

About

Students and faculty in the Department of History explore the forces that drove past events and shaped the present. Our faculty members have a wide range of teaching and research interests, from the ancient world to the recent past. We encourage students to design degree programs that enable them to both pursue their own historical interests and obtain a broader understanding of history across time and place. In addition to the knowledge conveyed through the study of the past, students of history obtain practical skills that empower them no matter what career direction they take. History students learn to read widely and critically. They develop analytical and writing skills and gain experience with oral communication, all of which can be employed in any career or profession. Tens of thousands of attorneys, teachers, civic and business leaders, military professionals, and others have developed successful careers as a result of their decision to study history. The intellectual skills and cultural sensitivity that history teaches can be applied in all walks of life. People who study history learn to ask questions, think for themselves, and become better citizens. The Department of History is a community of students and faculty with a shared commitment to exploring the past. Faculty members are dedicated to student success and are active in advising, teaching, mentoring, and supervising research projects. Students in the Department of History build analytical skills, learning to weigh and interpret evidence and present their findings in writing. Career paths ranging from law and business to government and education demand the skills that history students gain. 

Career Path 

Graduate career path includes Historian (Research, Writing, Archival Work), Museum Curator/Archivist, Heritage & Cultural Resource Manager, Archaeological Assistant (with further training), Teacher (Primary, Secondary, with certification), Library & Information Specialist, Academic Research Assistant, Genealogist / Family History Researcher, Policy Analyst (Government/NGO), Public Historian (Community Projects, Oral History), Tourism & Heritage Guide, Cultural Program Coordinator, Writer / Author (Historical Focus), Journalist (Historical/Political Reporting), Publishing Assistant (History/Academic Press), Legal Assistant / Paralegal (History majors often transition into law), Civil Service Officer, Political Analyst / Diplomatic Services, International Development Officer (NGOs, UN, etc.).