Bachelor's in

History
First Choice,
Only
Choice

Request Info About History
Loading...
Loading...

Bachelor's in History

About the History Program

Through the history curriculum, students will be grounded in important thematic trends in both American and world history. Students will pursue a deep understanding of national histories or themes in historical knowledge at a high level. But they will also be able to pursue a specific interest and choose to concentrate their studies in a variety of fields, including American or European history, or the histories of Asia, Latin American and the Middle East. Students interested in the practical application of their historical studies have many opportunities to learn about museum and digital history methods and also participate in internships that can give them hands-on experience.

What Can I Do With a History degree?

You can preserve our past and teach people about who they are, become a lawyer or a public servant, analyze data, unearth artifacts or run a company! History is a broad based field that seeks to teach skill sets that are applicable across a wide range of professions. Students can go on to become researchers or advocates; caretakers of the past in museums and heritage sites; or analysts and policy makers for the future in a corporation or the government. A history degree is a gateway to every advanced degree that depends on critical and efficient reading, clear and effective writing, an ability to grasp details and to understand the interconnections between seemingly separate events, trends and people. This is why famous actors, billionaire CEOs and presidents have all started with a history degree.

placeholder

Why Choose a History Degree?

  • Small Class Sizes
    Students are never a faceless name in a giant auditorium. Introductory courses have 49 students and all upperlevel courses have a limit of 25, giving students a more individualized classroom experience.
  • Experienced Faculty
    You will be taught by full-time faculty members who bring their own scholarly expertise and research into the classroom to enhance your learning experience and inspire you with their passion for their field.
  • Research with Faculty and Experiences in the Community
    History majors have numerous opportunities to collaborate with faculty in undergraduate research projects. Furthermore, satisfying, hands-on experiences are part of the undergraduate training for students in our program through the Old Stone House, and a variety of internship opportunities.
  • Support and Guidance
    Every student is assigned an academic adviser within the department to help students make decisions about educational and career goals. More than 90 percent of our students are accepted into their first graduate program of choice. We are dedicated to opening doors for our students beyond the obvious career paths of teaching and museum studies.
  • Long-lasting Relationships
    Our students go on to work all over the world in a wide range of careers. But they still return as members of our alumni advisory board and as participants in a wide variety of career events and celebrations.
SRU sign square
SRU plaque sign in stone pillar
Two SRU student sitting and smiling
SRU sign round
SRU's rocky standing with parents and students
Old Main Building
Residence halls at night with moon
SRU's clock by residence halls
Old Main shot from arch front
SRU's rocky kneeling with parents and students standing

A degree in history has prepared me for my career as an environmental social scientist because I learned that environmental problems are fundamentally about people. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the History Department!

Nikol Damato ‘21, Graduate Student
Department of Marine Affairs, University of Rhode Island

History BA

Students looking at painting

History, Bachelor of Arts (BA)

In order to make informed decisions about the future, you must have a solid understanding of the past. As a history student at SRU, you will have an understanding of the scope of history and insight into how events of the past are shaping current events.

Catalog | Curriculum Guide
Old Main Building

History - Certificate

For a listing of this program’s undergraduate certificates and related offerings, visit SRU’s official program catalog page.

Catalog | Program List


Career Outcomes

Whether continuing their education after earning their bachelor’s degree or not, graduates of the department have secured careers in the following areas:

  • Curator, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton, Ohio
  • Procurement Agent, Boeing, Washington, D.C.
  • Lawyer, prominent Cleveland, Pittsburgh and regional law firms
  • Director, Daughters of the American Revolution Museum, Washington, D.C.
  • Secondary Education History Teacher
  • Regional Director, Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania
  • Heritage Officer, State of West Virginia
  • Field Archaeologist, ERO Resources, Denver, Colorado
  • Contracting Officer, National Background Investigations Bureau, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Director, SRU Planetarium
  • Professor, national and international colleges and universities

Internship Opportunities

Whether continuing their education after earning their bachelor’s degree or not, graduates of the department have secured careers in the following areas:

  • Curator, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton, Ohio
  • Procurement Agent, Boeing, Washington, D.C.
  • Lawyer, prominent Cleveland, Pittsburgh and regional law firms
  • Director, Daughters of the American Revolution Museum, Washington, D.C.
  • Secondary Education History Teacher
  • Regional Director, Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania
  • Heritage Officer, State of West Virginia
  • Field Archaeologist, ERO Resources, Denver, Colorado
  • Contracting Officer, National Background Investigations Bureau, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Director, SRU Planetarium
  • Professor, national and international colleges and universities

Clubs & Organizations

  • Phi Alpha Theta History Honorary Society
  • The Old Stone House - Local, historic inn and museum in Slippery Rock, PA

Resources

From application tips to academic information and support, we provide the guidance and tools you need to start strong and stay on track. Our resources are here to help you make the most of your SRU experience.

People smiling
Person doing well