History, B.A., B.S.
History examines the lives of people, the consequences of ideas, and the products of human ingenuity. Historians engage in deep inquiry and persuasive debate. They craft narratives about the past based in evidence. The skills students gain through the study of history allow them to analyze and interpret evidence and evaluate how human societies change over time.
Students are admitted directly into this program.Program Overview
Choose from a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in history, or a minor in history or history of science, or select it as a teachable minor. Careful training in research, writing, critical reading, and interpretation makes history graduates attractive to a wide number of employers who value those abilities, especially in fields of law, library and museum work, finance, journalism, and public administration. Students also study history to advance their own liberal education and to train their minds.
Why Study History at Grand Valley?
- Graduates are accepted into top law schools and graduate programs
in history, museum studies, and library science.
- Faculty members are devoted to teaching, scholarship, and mentoring.
- Choose from research and internship opportunities for a well-rounded education that includes hands-on experience.
- Opportunities to engage with the community include public history projects and the Veterans History Project.
- Network through student organizations devoted to the program, including the History Club and Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society.
Career Insights
This tool shows an overview of potential career opportunities for this major. Actual salaries, employment opportunities, and job titles may change over time.
Location & Format
Undergraduate students in this major study at the Grand Valley Allendale Campus.
- Face To Face
Coursework
Students choose from a wide variety of coursework in the following areas:
- American history
- European history
- World history
- History journal
- Research methods and history writing
- Public history and museum studies
- History of science and medicine
Combined Degree Programs
Many GVSU undergraduate programs can be combined with an existing master’s degree program to save on tuition and get you into the workforce sooner. On average, you can save $8,500 by pursuing a combined degree and take up to four fewer courses than if earning the degrees separately.
Talk with an advisor about how you can build your combined degree from existing programs to further personalize your education and create your own niche area of expertise.
Admission Requirements
Visit the Admissions website for undergraduate requirements.
Helpful Links
For More Information
Department of History
gvsu.edu/history
D-1-160
Mackinac Hall
(616) 331-3298
“My history professors worked to move beyond simple retellings of historical events to focus on deep, interpretive analyses that place these events within a greater context of human understanding. For me, the entire experience, beyond improving my analytical and writing skills, has worked to provide indispensable resources for the rest of my life.”
HISTORY ALUMNUS