History Degrees Online

History helps us to understand past and present societies, to make intelligent decisions as citizens and voters, and to respond appropriately to future situations and challenges.

History is our collective memory and record of the past. It is the source of the social sciences and the coordinator and organizer of the humanities. History involves creativity and research, analytical reading and writing, thoughtful reflection and communication. This discipline provides an opportunity for variety and, at the same time, specialization. In history there is always room for a new view, a revision of existing evidence, a challenge to discover new sources.

History is used in every aspect of life. It is about societies, institutions, and cultures. History is useful and applicable everywhere and in everything we do, particularly in civic life.

Many of our students major in history to prepare to teach at all levels of the education system. At Shippensburg University we offer a B.S.Ed. degree in Social Studies–History, which prepares you to teach in grades 7 through 12. You can also minor in history as an elementary education major.

For students who do not want to teach, we also offer a B.A. degree in history. Many students in this program plan to use the history major as the springboard to graduate school, government service, and business careers.

A history major can also prepare you for a writing profession. Newspapers, magazines, journals, television, film, or any other field where writing is a major component frequently look to hire history majors because they can research, think, organize, and communicate. Many other fields also look for these skills.

Students interested in working for museums, historical societies, or archives often need a history major as a first step toward their careers. The department’s Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Public History Concentration introduces students to the specialized methods used by history professionals. History internships allow students to explore historical careers and to gain valuable work experience while earning credit towards their degrees. This combination of training and on-the-job experience provides a solid foundation for students who wish to pursue the advanced degree often required for employment in these fields.

One of the biggest fields for career opportunities is the variety of positions available in local, state, and federal government. History majors are extremely well prepared to take civil service exams successfully and to provide the skills needed and wanted in most government jobs.

The department’s curriculum emphasizes a global and comparative approach to the past. Therefore, history majors are expected to do work in three major areas: American history, European history, and non-Western history. Courses are also offered in the area of public history.

Within each of these fields, there is a broad variety of courses organized by topic or by time period. Students have opportunities to sample a range of topics. The B.A. program also requires one course in the theory and practice of history and a capstone seminar in comparative history during the senior year.

Our department offers courses in almost every world region during every major time period. While department faculty have distinguished research records, we are also committed teachers. For those who qualify, there is an active chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honorary society. This organization, dedicated to history, provides opportunities, such as student research conferences, for the best history students.

Nearby historical sites and institutions offer unusually rich resources for the study of history. Recently, students have arranged internships at such places as Gettysburg National Military Park, the U.S. Military History Institute, the U.S. Civil War Museum, the Cumberland County Historical Society, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Internships may also be arranged with approved historical institutions anywhere in Pennsylvania or the United States.
What opportunities exist for students majoring in other fields?

Every student who enters Shippensburg University must take HIS105 World History I and HIS106 World History II.

Students who are receiving Grade 4-8 certification may choose a concentration in Social Studies, which includes history.

Beyond that, non-majors may take as many history courses as time and their program requirements allow. There is a history minor available for interested students. One or more history courses are especially appropriate for those majoring in any social science field.

History is our collective memory and record of the past. It is the source of the social sciences and the coordinator and organizer of the humanities. History involves creativity and research, analytical reading and writing, thoughtful reflection and communication. This discipline provides an opportunity for variety and, at the same time, specialization. In history there is always room for a new view, a revision of existing evidence, a challenge to discover new sources.
Where is history used?

History is used in every aspect of life. It is about societies, institutions, and cultures. History is useful and applicable everywhere and in everything we do, particularly in civic life.
What kinds of career choices can I expect?

Many of our students major in history to prepare to teach at all levels of the education system. At Shippensburg University we offer a B.S.Ed. degree in Social Studies–History, which prepares you to teach in grades 7 through 12. You can also minor in history as an elementary education major.

For students who do not want to teach, we also offer a B.A. degree in history. Many students in this program plan to use the history major as the springboard to graduate school, government service, and business careers.

A history major can also prepare you for a writing profession. Newspapers, magazines, journals, television, film, or any other field where writing is a major component frequently look to hire history majors because they can research, think, organize, and communicate. Many other fields also look for these skills.

Students interested in working for museums, historical societies, or archives often need a history major as a first step toward their careers. The department’s Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Public History Concentration introduces students to the specialized methods used by history professionals. History internships allow students to explore historical careers and to gain valuable work experience while earning credit towards their degrees. This combination of training and on-the-job experience provides a solid foundation for students who wish to pursue the advanced degree often required for employment in these fields.

One of the biggest fields for career opportunities is the variety of positions available in local, state, and federal government. History majors are extremely well prepared to take civil service exams successfully and to provide the skills needed and wanted in most government jobs.
What is the curriculum?

The department’s curriculum emphasizes a global and comparative approach to the past. Therefore, history majors are expected to do work in three major areas: American history, European history, and non-Western history. Courses are also offered in the area of public history.

Within each of these fields, there is a broad variety of courses organized by topic or by time period. Students have opportunities to sample a range of topics. The B.A. program also requires one course in the theory and practice of history and a capstone seminar in comparative history during the senior year.
Why take history at Shippensburg?

Our department offers courses in almost every world region during every major time period. While department faculty have distinguished research records, we are also committed teachers. For those who qualify, there is an active chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honorary society. This organization, dedicated to history, provides opportunities, such as student research conferences, for the best history students.

Nearby historical sites and institutions offer unusually rich resources for the study of history. Recently, students have arranged internships at such places as Gettysburg National Military Park, the U.S. Military History Institute, the U.S. Civil War Museum, the Cumberland County Historical Society, and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Internships may also be arranged with approved historical institutions anywhere in Pennsylvania or the United States.
What opportunities exist for students majoring in other fields?

Every student who enters Shippensburg University must take HIS105 World History I and HIS106 World History II.

Students who are receiving Grade 4-8 certification may choose a concentration in Social Studies, which includes history.

Beyond that, non-majors may take as many history courses as time and their program requirements allow. There is a history minor available for interested students. One or more history courses are especially appropriate for those majoring in any social science field.