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.
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The History degree program at Marshall University is comprised of a diverse department of faculty, students and staff. 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.
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.
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.
- Teachers
- Research Analysts
- Archivists
- Curators
- Journalists
- Lawyers
There are four distinct minors in History from which students may select. Each requires 15 hours. Other requirements are listed below. You can become a minor by going to your college office and filling out a form.
If you have any questions about the minor or becoming a minor, please email the Department Chair, Dr. Greta Rensenbrink.
The History Minor
The general History Minor gives you the broadest course options and will make sense for most students. For this Minor, you can take any classes offered by the department. The only limit is that you can only count two of the five general survey classes (HST 101, 102, 103 and 230,231).
Courses: Up to two of these: HST 101, 102, 103, 230, 231. All other courses offered by the History Department are acceptable.
United States History
If you want to focus on U.S. History, take this minor. Both of the general surveys of United States History (HST 230 and 231) can be used to fulfill the requirements of this minor. All other courses in United States History offered by the History Department are acceptable.
If there are Special Topics classes or new classes not listed here that you think might count, email the department and we can let you know.
Courses: All United States History classes can count toward this minor. These include: HST 125, 230, 231, 250, 303, 305, 312, 323, 333, 342, 343, 344, 347, 350, 360, 365, 404, 405, 407, 409, 411, 414, 423, 424, 433, 434, 440, 433.
European History
This minor is for those who want to deepen their understanding of European history. Only two of the general surveys of World History (HST 101, 102, 103) can be used to fulfill the requirements of this minor. All courses in European History offered by the History Department are acceptable.
If there are Special Topics classes or new classes not listed here that you think might count, email the department and we can let you know.
Courses: Up to to two of: HST 101, 102 and 103. Any of: HST 205, 206, 219, 220, 223, 304, 306 345, 406, 421, 425, 426, 428, 430.
World History
World History includes everything except U.S. and European. Only two of the general surveys of World History (HST 101, 102, 103) can be used to fulfill the requirements of this minor. All courses on the history of Africa, Asia, the Developing World, Latin America, and the Middle East offered by the History Department are acceptable.
If there are Special Topics classes or new classes not listed here that you think might count, email the department and we can let you know.
Courses: Up to two of: HST 101, 102, and 103. Any of: HST 208, 260, 301, 302, 311, 313, 361, 376, 378, 380, 423, 435, 436, 439, 442, 445, 446.