History is powerful. History majors are encouraged to visualize, feel, and experience history. You will gain a solid grounding in American, European, and World history while being introduced to past and current historiography and take part in current debates in the discipline. USF’s History program emphasizes skills such as critical thinking, research, information literacy, writing and oral presentation.
USF’s history classes are taught in small settings, led by engaging, interesting faculty. Students can explore world changing events in a global perspective, rather than the traditional European focus, or take a class on “History in Film,” which helps students evaluate and critique the historical narratives found in pop culture. There’s also “Digitizing History,” where students learn about digital preservation and techniques for effective online presentations of history for the public.
USF’s History degree is also based on experiential learning, encouraging students to gain experience outside of traditional classrooms at museums and other historical sites. This flexible program gives students a lot of leeway to take courses that suit their interests. Students are exposed to a variety of different ideas and sources, and can focus in depth on issues that most intrigue them.
Concentrations
- European
- Non-Western
- United States
- History/Social Science Secondary Ed. (9-12)
Accreditations
The University of St. Francis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Testimonial
“The professors in the department always conducted their classes expertly and challenged the students, while also being supportive. One of the best things they did was to prepare me for the workload of grad school and educate me in the nuances of the history field. Many of the books assigned in their classes were later assigned to me in grad school, and having already read them as an undergrad, I felt like I had an advantage.”
-Adam Carston ’14, Happy Medium Ventures
What Can You Do With This Degree?
The History major is a great one for students who would like to attend law school or graduate school, but there also are many other things that history majors can do. A USF degree prepares students for a number of options, including work in government, museums, writing and publishing. The USF History program’s creative approaches to learning arm graduates with problem-solving skills that are valued by employers. More than 90 percent of USF History graduates find employment or continue their education within six months of graduation.
Grow Through Real-World Experience
Students in the History program gain valuable hands-on experience through volunteer opportunities and internships at sites around the region. Our students have found rewarding internships at sites like the Joliet Historical Museum, the First Division Museum in Cantigny, the Will County Forest Preserve, and the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Those desiring to teach history are mentored by both history and education professors, and are placed in excellent local schools for in-classroom student-teaching experiences.
