Liberal Arts
& Sciences

History

Do you have a desire to relive the past? Do historical events like the Civil War pique your interest? Do you like to read historical novels or non-fiction? Then you should consider history as a major! A degree in history prepares you for careers for which a broad liberal arts background is essential. These possible career opportunities include numerous areas of private business and government service. For example, a history major who understands the history and culture of foreign countries could find employment with the government as a foreign-service agent, or with a multinational corporation in a variety of roles. Many students who pursue this major also go on and take additional professional training in such areas as law, religion, library science, and journalism.


Salaries

  • Median Starting Salary: Approx: $30,500*
  • After 5 Years Experience: Approx: $40,000

Department Homepage

Quick Facts

  • The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is the traditional liberal arts degree. It requires 36 hours of history and 10 hours of a foreign language and is generally the degree preferred by those pursuing further study in history.
  • The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree provides the student with the opportunity to take more history courses (45 hours) instead of a foreign language.
  • Both degrees allow students a wide variety of options at graduation including careers in private business or government service, additional professional training in history and other areas including law and library science, and careers in public history or in museum or archival work.
  • Many of those who pursue this major also undertake additional professional training in such areas as law, religion, library science, and journalism. Additional work beyond the undergraduate degree in history may also qualify one to teach history in college, or to follow careers in museum and archival work.

Career Opportunities

  • Historical Consulting
  • Education
  • Museum or Archival Work
  • Journalism
  • Law School

Major Requirements

  • General Education Requirement
  • History Requirement: 30 hrs
  • 10 hrs of foreign language
  • Seond Program of Study: 15-30 hrs

Clubs

  • Phi Alpha Theta Society
  • Society of Public Historians

August 2008: www.payscale.com: Historian