"Pursuing graduate work in history allowed me to develop skills that serve me well in my industry. The critical thinking required in the study of history lends itself well to finance. Numbers and objectivity go well together. I use research techniques every day. There is a great deal of research – especially of technical documents like system manuals – in my current role. My background helps me find key information quickly when presented with significant amounts of data. Effective communication – like the ability to take complex concepts and simplify them for a broader audience – is expected." Devin Brogan

Field Trip

The Department of History offers courses taught by full-time faculty who hold doctoral degrees in History with particular strengths in teaching and research in American, African American, Modern European, and Local and Community History. A sampling of our courses include U.S Constitutional and Legal history, the Mongols, the History of Baseball, Epidemics in Modern Society, Ethnic Entrepreneurship, and even Rock & Roll!  The department also houses the programs of Geography and Religion.  Students interested in History can work towards a

  • Bachelor’s degree in History
  • Master’s degree in History
  • Minor in History, Geography, or Religion
  • Field major in International Studies 
  • Certificate program in Museum Studies, Asian Studies, and Great Plains Studies 

The department offers students various opportunities for applied learning in history, including the opportunity to publish in the department's scholarly journal, the Fairmount Folio, and also to apply for funds for conference presentation and travel. can take advantage of a range of awards and scholarships including opportunities to get funding for conferences. Master's students may apply for a graduate teaching assistantship.

Alumni have gone on to successful careers in business, law, museums, academia, historic preservation, archives and records management, the military, teaching, libraries, publishing, consulting, the medical profession, and the ministry.  Our students and alumni have published their research in outlets from award winning academic scholarship to photo histories to contract work to graphic novels to historical romances!  They have produced documentaries, created museum exhibits, preserved historic structures, conducted oral histories, given guided tours, done guest appearances on television, and created programs that give back to their communities. 

» Learn more about the Department of History