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History Major

History

Historians study the people and events of the past to better understand and meet the challenges of the future. Our history majors learn to think like historians, perform careful research, and communicate what they find in meaningful ways.

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100+ 
COURSES TO CHOOSE FROM

1:11
FACULTY-STUDENT RATIO

220 
UNDERGRADUATE HISTORY MAJORS

23
AVERAGE UPPER-LEVEL CLASS SIZE

Total Credit Hours: 120

History Courses (39 hours)

General Education (45 hours)

Electives (36-57hours)

 

Download Full Requirements

Requirements for Research Option

For other checksheets by year, click here.

What You'll Study

  • 120 credit hours for a Bachelor of Arts in History, including Virginia Tech's Pathways 
  • 39 credits of history courses, including Introduction to the Research University, Historical Methods, and Critical Readings and Analysis
  • History Research Seminar, with an option to complete a senior thesis or semester-long research project
  • A sequence of two survey courses to give a broad overview of a region or theme in history
  • Deeper study of courses in the following themes:
    • Empires, Colonialism, and Globalization
    • Ideas, Traditions, and Cultures
    • Science, Technology, Environment, and Medicine
    • Conflict, War, and Peace

Related Links

History Department Course List Forms to add a major, minor, or option

What is a Major in History?

Studying history offers you new ways to think about people, places, and events in the past. In the process, it also helps you develop critical thinking skills, conduct research, analyze sources, craft arguments, and uncover the diverse ways that the past continues to shape the present.

Why Study History?

We pride ourselves on an innovative curriculum, an emphasis on learning outside the classroom, and close-working relationships between our award-winning history faculty and our students, who leave well prepared for graduate or professional school. Graduates often go into teaching, business, government, and other careers that value analytical thinking and strong research and writing skills.

Beyond the Classroom

Majoring in history at Virginia Tech means joining an active and welcoming community. Our faculty work side-by-side with you to advise you on pursuing research interests, presenting and publishing your work, and preparing you for a career after graduation. Our award-winning Phi Alpha Theta chapter and the history club hold regular get-togethers, service projects, and events like Stump the Chumps — our annual student-versus-faculty trivia challenge.

 

 STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

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We place a strong emphasis on undergraduate research, so there are many opportunities to submit papers to conferences and publish research in peer-reviewed journals like Philologia or our own Undergraduate Historical Review.

History majors can also apply for the Undergraduate Research Scholarship. Details can be found here!

 

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

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Immersing yourself in a culture is an important aspect of being a history major, so we encourage students to conduct hands-on study. We sponsor study abroad programs and partner with local historical organizations and public history projects, where you can participate in preservation and get valuable experience. Our department also operates the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies, which sponsors outreach opportunites for students.

 

STUDY ABROAD

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Our program offers hands-on work in public and digital history as well as local, regional, and national internships. Work with faculty like Tom Ewing and Amy Nelson on digital history projects.

 

INTERNSHIPS

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What Our Students Are Saying

Careers and Further Study

Andrea completed a two-year contract with the Newseum in Washington, D.C., where she worked as a research associate developing website content, assisting with documentaries for upcoming exhibits, and preparing materials. She now works as the Digital Content Coordinator at the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois.

Andrea Ledesma, '14

Andrea completed a two-year contract with the Newseum in Washington, D.C., where she worked as a research associate developing website content, assisting with documentaries for upcoming exhibits, and preparing materials. She now works as the Digital Content Coordinator at the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois.

Catherine studied abroad in London for three weeks over winter semester her senior year while pursuing her bachelor's in History. She's now attending the University of Maryland to work on a master's degree in Library and Information Science.

Catherine Fravel, '15

Catherine studied abroad in London for three weeks over winter semester her senior year while pursuing her bachelor's in History. She's now attending the University of Maryland to work on a master's degree in Library and Information Science.

History major and International Studies minor Michelle worked as an intern in the office of Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, where she did research on cybersecurity and health care and interacted with local government officials. Michelle pursued a Master's Degree in Applied Quantitative Research from New York University and has been working at the Legal Services Corporation as a research analyst.

Michelle Oh, ‘15

History major and International Studies minor Michelle worked as an intern in the office of Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, where she did research on cybersecurity and health care and interacted with local government officials. Michelle pursued a Master's Degree in Applied Quantitative Research from New York University and has been working at the Legal Services Corporation as a research analyst.

Quinton was a cadet, majored in history, and earned three minors including residential property management, leadership studies, and war and society. He completed three internships with Beacon Communities LLC, a Boston-based property management company. After graduation, he commissioned in the United States Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant.

Quinton Cookis, '18

Quinton was a cadet, majored in history, and earned three minors including residential property management, leadership studies, and war and society. He completed three internships with Beacon Communities LLC, a Boston-based property management company. After graduation, he commissioned in the United States Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant.

Courtney served as a research intern for the Appomattox Civil War Museum, where she researched and interpreted Freedmen’s Bureau records to create the Enacting Freedom: Black Virginians in the Age of Emancipation exhibit displaying the experiences of African Americans during the Civil War era. She also interned at Historic Smithfield Plantation, Monticello, and Mount Vernon.

Courtney Ebersohl, '19

Courtney served as a research intern for the Appomattox Civil War Museum, where she researched and interpreted Freedmen’s Bureau records to create the Enacting Freedom: Black Virginians in the Age of Emancipation exhibit displaying the experiences of African Americans during the Civil War era. She also interned at Historic Smithfield Plantation, Monticello, and Mount Vernon.

Abbey pursued a degree in history while also completing undergraduate research. She credits her courses and projects that developed her argument analysis and research and writing skills in preparation for her future career. Abbey is completing a Master’s in Public Policy and J.D. joint program with the goal of becoming a policy analyst and advisor attorney.

Abbey Basa, ’21

Abbey pursued a degree in history while also completing undergraduate research. She credits her courses and projects that developed her argument analysis and research and writing skills in preparation for her future career. Abbey is completing a Master’s in Public Policy and J.D. joint program with the goal of becoming a policy analyst and advisor attorney.

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Rosemarie Klosky, '22

While at Virginia Tech, Rosemarie had the opportunity to complete a capstone research paper focused on the role graffiti played in aiding women protesting in Cairo during the 2011 Arab Spring. She was also given the chance to be a peer mentor for an Introduction to History class where she acted as a resource for students. After graduation, Rosemaire plans on attending George Mason University to earn a Masters in Secondary Education with a History and Social Science Concentration.

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What do I do with a history major?

Our students earn real-world experience that helps them land a job when they graduate and history training that's relevant regardless of their career path. Many choose to go on to graduate school to pursue research interests and an advanced degree.

Here are some common jobs our graduates take after graduation:

  • Museum Curator
  • Legislative Staffer
  • Intelligence Analyst
  • Publishing Coordinator
  • Inventory Specialist
  • Law Associate
  • Secondary Educator 

 

 

Related Programs

Minor in War and Society Minor in Russian Area Studies Minor in Asian Studies
 History and Social Science Education Master's in History