History B.A.

About This Program

If you love to study the past and are interested in understanding the world today, then the History major is the right choice for you! Classes are taught in every time period of human history covering every region over the globe, and the four subplans in our major offer you the flexibility to focus on a specific area of interest while still receiving a firm foundation in world history and in the methods that historians use to reconstruct the past. Through rigorous coursework and an array of optional internships with both public and private sector employers, you’ll develop the analytical skills, communication abilities, and real- world experience that are sought after in various professions.

• The History major at UMD is unique thanks to our four subplans, allowing you to tailor your education to suit your own interests and career goals:
• The Global History subplan introduces you to major world cultures and provides you with the skills to work critically with a diverse array of source materials in different media.
• The Public History subplan prepares you for a career in museums, archives, libraries, and other cultural heritage organizations so that you can share your love of history with public and private audience on the local, state, and national levels.
• The History and Social Science subplan combines the study of history with social science disciplines like political science, sociology, and anthropology to provide you for civic oriented careers like education, law, government, and public service.
• The Specialist History subplan is our most rigorous and customizable. If you select this track, you’ll work with professors to develop a specialized course of study that will prepare you to pursue graduate work in history and related fields.

Program Highlights

• Our program offers both a Public History major concentration and a Museum Studies Certificate
• Faculty lead student trips to countries all over the world, including Ireland, Panama, Poland, and Jamaica
• Our Global History subplan is designed to be paired with other majors, from Biology to Political Science to Psychology and beyond
• History professors publish books and articles with leading academic presses and journals
• Our History and Social Science subplan was created in close coordination with the Education Department to complement the Teaching Social Studies major, allowing you to earn a degree in History and a teaching license at the same time

Research & Experiential Learning

• Every History major completes an original research project in our capstone seminar course, and receives financial support and faculty guidance to present their research projects at professional history conferences
• Internships at a variety of museums, libraries, archives, and other history and heritage organizations on campus, regionally, and internationally in Ireland
• Opportunities to help organize events like UMD’s annual Twin Ports Festival of History. You can also assist with Minnesota History Day, serving as a research mentor for middle and high school students or a judge at the Minnesota History Day Northeast Regional Competition, hosted yearly on campus

Student Internships

• Douglas County Historical Society
• Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council
• Eagle River Historical Society
• Minnesota Historical Society
• Richard Bong Veterans Center
• SWCA Environmental Consultants
• Superior Public Museums
• UMD, Kathryn A Martin Library

Potential Careers

• Museums and culture heritage
• Social studies education
• Law - attorney and paralegal
• Library and information science
• Government and civil service
• Management and administration
• Business and sales

Scholarships

In addition to scholarships awarded annually by the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, the History Department awards majors each year from our five scholarship funds:

• Shogren-Meyer Scholars Award
• UM Washburn Memorial Scholarship
• JL Washburn Memorial Scholarship
• Maude Linquist Scholarship
• Bathory/Lane Reaching Higher Scholarship

Additionally, the History Program Experiential Learning Fund supports opportunities for History majors outside of the traditional classroom, from internships to study abroad and undergraduate research.

Get Involved

• History Club
• Alumni Mentorship Program
• Twin Ports Festival of History
• Minnesota History Day
• Northern Great Plains History Conference
• History and Museum Studies internships 

Requirements

Refer to the link below for more detailed information about the program, admission requirements, sample plans, and contact information.

History B.A.

Related Programs

• Museum Studies
• African and African American Studies Minor
• American Indian Studies B.A.
• Political Science B.A.
• International Studies B.A.
• Environment, Sustainability, and Geography B.A.
• Teaching Social Studies B.A.A.