BA in History
Overview
The study of history is a distinctive and vital part of a well-rounded liberal arts education. It is essential to understanding the complex interplay of continuity and changes over space and time; to explaining the development and decline of cultures, institutions and ideas; to illuminating not only how past worlds become our present but also what is possible for our future. History provides concrete and sometimes sobering lessons, but it is also a source of inspiration and hope.
The Department of History at Minnesota is a great place to pursue the study of the past. We are unusual in the range and variety of courses we offer, from the ancient and medieval to the history of the recent past, all around the globe. We also offer many ways to learn outside the classroom through hands-on research opportunities, internships, foreign study, and service-learning. As a history major, you'll acquire important critical analysis, research, and writing skills that are applicable across all disciplines and in a variety of professions. As a major, minor, or student in a single course, the historical study will give you the skills, context, and perspective you need in order to think about and understand ourselves and our world.
As a history major, you'll identify an area of concentration where you'll dig deeper into historical questions through primary source analysis with faculty mentors to guide your intellectual development.
Learn more about declaring a history major and participating as an honors student.
Flexible and Great for Double Majors
One of the hallmarks of the history major is its great flexibility and vast course offerings. Our faculty and academic advisor work closely with you to tailor your degree to your interests and goals. For any questions about how the history major can work for you, speak with the department’s academic advisor.
Due to the flexibility of the history major and the critical skills gained through historical inquiry, many students combine a history major with other majors. History majors also have great success entering a variety of graduate and professional school programs. Whether you are interested in a career in law, medicine, business, or anything in between, a BA in history is an excellent foundation for any career.
Transfer Guide
If you are exploring or planning to transfer to CLA, learning more about your intended major is important.
Click on the ” Full Requirements” button above to see all of the major requirements, and any limits or restrictions on certain kinds of courses or credits. Every major has a requirement of a minimum number of upper level credits or courses that must be taken through their department. Some departments also have limits to the number of 1xxx or 2xxx level courses that can count towards major requirements.
Courses to Prepare for the Major
There is no specific course that students are required to take to prepare for the History major. If you are considering a major in History, you are encouraged to take introductory history courses to explore your interests. These courses provide a useful background for future courses. Up to three 1xxx-level courses can count towards the History major requirements.
A grade of C- or better is required in all courses approved to satisfy major requirements.
Transferring Courses and Credits
Use Transferology to help you plan your courses for the major. Remember, when using Transferology, look for courses that transfer as direct equivalents to UMTC major courses.
Check Transferology to see if an evaluation already exists for courses you would like to use towards the major. If you find a course that has not been evaluated, you can submit an evaluation request to find out if your course is equivalent to a specific UMTC course. A copy of the course syllabus is required for the evaluation.
Declaring the Major
Transfer students must apply and be admitted to the College of Liberal Arts in order to declare a major. Check out the information on the History declaration process on the Advising page.
BA Second Language Requirement
The BA degree does have a second language requirement. Consider completing or starting your second language before you transfer to CLA. Be sure to talk with a CLA transfer advisor about any questions.
Who Can Help as You Plan Your Transfer
- CLA Transfer Advising - CLA Transfer Advisors are ready to assist you as you plan your transfer to CLA. The Transfer to CLA website provides additional information to help you in your transfer exploration and planning.
- History Department Advising - The departmental advisor can answer questions that are specific to the major.
- Office of Admissions - Requirements for admission to CLA are not the same as the requirements to declare a major. Read through the CLA Transfer Admissions requirements to learn more, and contact the Office of Admissions with any questions.
If you are a current UMTC student or a UM-Rochester student, you will use the
Change of College application process.
Career Paths
All liberal arts degrees help CLA students develop their Core Career Competencies, and history majors develop specific skills that are applicable to lots of different careers. These skills include extensive understanding of history and historical patterns, analysis and research skills, strong verbal and written communication skills, and critical thinking and flexible problem-solving skills.
Students who take the SuperStrong Interest Inventory receive a three-letter interest code, which identifies their top three areas of interest, work activities, potential skills, and personal values. The interest code "SEI" is often associated with this major, however, the SuperStrong assessment can help you understand how your interests connect to a variety of majors and career options. You can learn more about common employer types and occupations associated with this major. You can also see CLA specific examples of alumni careers below.
Internship & Job Search Websites
- Handshake
- American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
- Minnesota Association of Museums
- National Emerging Museum Professionals Network
- Museum Employment Resource Center (MERC)
- Museum Jobs Online (includes internships)
- Museum Employment
- Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
- Idealist (Nonprofit positions in the US and internationally)
- USA Jobs
- Public Service Careers (Check out “Why Public Service?”)
Student Groups
Professional Organizations
- American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works
- Association of Midwest Museums
- Minnesota Association of Museums
- American Historical Association
- American Association for State and Local History
- National Council for History Education
- American Historical Association
- Institute of Historical Research
- World History Association
- American Association of Museums
- National Council on Public History
- Organization of American Historians
- Society of American Archivists
- National Emerging Museum Professionals Network
Graduate Programs in History
This is a small sample of programs alumni have uaed to find graduate programs in this field, search the Grad School Directory or Peterson's Guide.
- Master of Arts, History Museum Studies, State of New York College at Oneonta. Postgrad job: Director, Mill City Museum
- Master of Arts, History, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Postgrad job: Public Programs Specialist, Mill City Museum
- Master of Arts, Art History, the University of St. Thomas
- PhD, History, University of Pennsylvania
Alumni Career Examples
Below is a small sampling of what alumni with this major have pursued, organized by the most common career fields they go into (although keep in mind that there are alumni in all eight of the career fields). You can also utilize the LinkedIn's Alumni Tool and the Maroon and Gold Network to further explore alumni career pathways and connect directly with professionals.
Click to expand each accordion panel below for opportunities pursued by alumni in this major!
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Intern, Minnesota State Senator Mike Jungabuer
- Intern for Latino-Latina Community, Minnesota DFL
- Immigration Services Intern, International Institute of Minnesota
- Congressional Intern, U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison
- Intern, Office of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
- Constituent Outreach Intern, Office of Governor Mark Dayton
- Republican Intern, Minnesota State Senate
Entry-Level
- Paralegal Specialist, United States Army Reserve
- Legislative Assistant, Minnesota State Senator John Pederson
- Paralegal, Lofstrom Law Firm LLC
- Legislative Assistant, Minnesota House of Representatives
Experienced
- Research Law Clerk, Tobacco Control Legal Consortium
- Foreign Service Officer, Department of State*
- Senior Public Health Specialist, City of Minneapolis*
Graduate Programs
- JD, Law, University of Chicago. Postgrad job: Law Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit
- JD, William Mitchell College of Law. Postgrad job: Law Clerk, Office of the Commissioner of Human Services, Minnesota Department of Human Services
- Master of Arts, Public Policy, University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Postgrad job: State Representative, State of Minnesota
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Oral History Intern, Minnesota Historical Society
- Intern, National Museum of Ireland
- Creative Engagement Intern, Weisman Art Museum
- Curator Intern, James Ford Bell Library
- Evaluations Intern, Minnesota Historical Society
- Museum Studies Intern, Exhibits Development Group
- History Day Mentor, History Day Minnesota
- Conservation and Education Intern, Westminister Archives Centre
- Interpretative Program Intern, Mill City Museum
- Textile Conservation Intern, Minnesota Historical Society
- Museum Studies Intern, Exhibits Development Group
- Collections Intern, Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center
- Digitization Intern, Minnesota Historical Society
- Artistic Collaborator, Voice to Visions
Entry-Level
- Historical Interpreter, Minnesota Historical Society
- Historic Site Interpreter, Minnesota Historical Society
- Oral Historian, Minnesota Historical Society
- Museum Evaluator, Minnesota Historical Society
Experienced
- Associate Director of Planned Giving, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Interpretative Programs Assistant, Minnesota Historical Society
- Project Associate for Newspaper Digitization, Minnesota Historical Society
- Communications & Brand Manager, Bell Museum of Natural History
- Visitor Services Supervisor, The National September 11 Memorial & Museum
Graduate Programs
- Master of Arts, Museum Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Intern, Danfoss Inc.
- Communications Analyst, 3M
- Global Communications Intern, 3M
- Copywriting Intern, Footlocker
Entry-Level
- Loan Documentation Specialist, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
- Merchandise Coordinator, Macy’s
- Financial Educator, Wells Fargo
- Recruiter, Pro Staff
- Personal Banker, Wells Fargo
- Broker Account Executive, UnitedHealth Group
- Assistant Promotion Director, MNN Radio Networks
- Business Development Associate, CEB
Experienced
- Team Lead, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
- Sourcing Specialist, HealthPartners
- Organization Effectiveness Training Coordinator, Target
- Senior Recruiter, Cargill
- District Manager, Wells Fargo
- National Renewal Account Executive, UnitedHealth Group
- Project Coordinator, Infinity Promotions
- Business User Consultant, Target
- Senior Merchandise Specialist, Target
- Workflow Coordinator, Deloitte
Graduate Programs
- Master of Business Administration, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Postgrad job: Manager Talent Acquisition, Ecolab
- Master of Business Administration, University of St. Thomas
- Master of Science, Human Resources Management, Capella University. Postgrad job: Recruiter, HealthPartners
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Entry-Level
- AmeriCorps Program Coordinator, Rise Inc.
- Rise Fellow, New Sector Alliance
- Archives Technician, Minnesota Public Radio
- Youth Development Specialist, YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis
- Administrative Assistant to Vice President of Finance & Administration, Science Museum of Minnesota
- Summer Institute Intern, World Without Genocide
Experienced
- Human Resources Assistant, Leadership, Empowerment and Development (LEAD)
Graduate Programs
- Master of Arts, Gender and Women's Studies, Brandeis University
- Master of Arts, Philanthropy and Development, Saint Mary's University. Postgrad job: Director of Development, Major Gifts, University of Minnesota.
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Entry-Level
- Principle Office and Administrative Specialist, Department of American Indian Studies, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Student Personnel Coordinator, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Program Associate, Events and Communications, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Literary Leaders Program Assistant, The New York Public Library
Experienced
- Program/Project Specialist, University of Minnesota-College of Liberal Arts
- Assistant Director of Business Development, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Graduate Programs
- Master of Arts, Educational Policy and Administration in Higher Education, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Master of Library & Information science, Dominican University
- Master of Education, Social Studies, University of Minnesota
- Master of Arts, Multicultural College of Teaching and Learning, University of Minnesota