BA History

Exploring the world through history allows learners like you to build a solid educational foundation by developing critical thinking skills that can lead to exciting careers in history or even future graduate education. A bachelor’s degree in History from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, prepares you for challenging and diverse career opportunities in research, industry, academics, government and law, among others.

History is one of the broadest disciplines in the academic world—spanning geographies, centuries and peoples. Marshall University exposes History majors to stimulating student interaction, an emphasis on analytical and critical thinking, communications skills, and chronological, cultural and geographic diversity. Our B.A. History students view the world through many different lenses. In the History bachelor’s degree program at Marshall, you can select from a variety of interdisciplinary, history-related minors including:

The History degree program at Marshall University is comprised of a diverse department of faculty, students and staff. Each semester we offer more than 50 courses (including a number available fully online) that meet the needs of more than 2,000 students per year. Currently, our Department of History serves about 100 undergraduate History majors and 25 graduate students.

Our faculty has been repeatedly recognized with teaching awards for demonstrating outstanding classroom instruction and interaction with students.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for the employment of History majors is projected to grow 6%-11% over the next seven years, outpacing average keeping pace with job growth across the nation. With a bachelor’s degree in History from Marshall University, you will find a variety of career options available to you. Many students studying History will become:

Many students who earn a bachelor’s degree in History from Marshall University in West Virginia also go on to pursue additional education at the graduate or professional level. Marshall History majors have been accepted to study at many top-level universities. Additionally, Marshall offers a robust graduate program in History that includes certificate programs in Public History and Appalachian Studies.

Our History majors are offered opportunities to work with Clio, an app created by Marshall University historians to link the public with nearby historical sites in West Virginia and across the United States. Clio boasts more than 7.6 million page views and has been widely touted by the National Park Service, the Library of Virginia and Discover Wisconsin.

Outstanding History students are invited to join the Marshall University chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the national honor society for history.

You can learn about black history through Marshall’s Carter G. Woodson Lyceum. Dr. Woodson was one of the leading educators of the 20th century—a former West Virginia coal miner considered the Father of Black History.