History

About the Major

History teaches students to understand the human social conditions through the systematic study of the human past. As a history major, you will learn to see and interpret cause and effect and gain experience in research and writing. A historical perspective enriches any other field of study and serves as an excellent foundation for a wide range of liberal arts graduate programs. The courses will also provide you a solid basis for professional training in such fields as law, business, environmental affairs, historic preservation, public administration, and government. The history major offers three concentrations: U.S. history, European history, and African/Asian/Latin American history.

Skills and abilities this major develops include: critical thinking, strong writing skills, research, public speaking, and problem solving (IU School of Liberal Arts, 2018).

Engaged Learning Experiences

Regardless of your major or future career, engaged learning is vital to your present and future. It makes you more marketable for jobs and professional schools upon graduation, it enables you to build deeper connections with faculty and staff in your field of study, and it makes your learning personal by connecting your interests and values with the curriculum from your classes. Check out the three ideas below for places to get started, or learn more at IUPUI’s Institute for Engaged Learning website.

Service Learning

We believe strongly in our power and responsibility to help others. Each year our students, faculty, and staff work to improve neighborhoods in Indianapolis and beyond through service learning courses, community-based research and service projects, and partnerships with local organizations. If you want to make a difference, too, you have a home here.

Career Services

The Office of Career Development prepares, supports, and advises students each step of their career path--like finding internships and building your resume. They serve undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni and recent graduates.

Study Abroad

Choose among programs in 50+ countries and nearly 20 languages, including English. Both shorter and longer immersion programs are available

Opportunities After Graduation

An IUPUI history major graduate has many opportunities in various fields, including public relations, nonprofits, business development, and more. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2017), the field of public relations is expected to grow at an average rate of 6%, and the field of social and community service management is expected to grow at 10%. Employment for historians is expected to grow slower than average at a rate of 2% from 2014 to 2024. Candidates with a master’s degree or a Ph.D. will have the best opportunities.

For the May 2019 graduating cohort, the average starting salary for IU School of Liberal Arts graduates from IUPUI was $38,937, and the median salary was $36,350. The median starting salary for liberal arts graduates was $50,000 for the class of May 2019 according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE, 2020).

(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)

History majors often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas: political science, law, government, historical preservation, museum studies, library science, international relations, journalism, historical administration, education, and theology.

Quick Facts

Sample Coursework

American history
Nature of history
Colonial America
Soviet culture
The Renaissance
Ancient Rome
History capstone

Possible Careers

Marketing research
Museum educator
Nonprofit program coordinator
Paralegal*
Politician campaign worker
Project manager
Research analyst

*This career requires additional training or education.

Where could I work?

Indiana Historical Society
Community and social services
Education
Ivy Tech
Nonprofits
State of Indiana

Complementing Interests

CConventional

SSocial

IInvestigative

Get your interest code

Where to Get More Information

IU School of Liberal Arts

American Historical Association

National Council on Public History

Arts, Humanities, and Human Services Cluster

This major is part of the Arts, Humanities, and Human Services (AHHS) cluster. The AHHS cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in art and design, education, general studies, journalism, liberal arts, and social work. The AHHS cluster partners with students on their academic advising and career plans to guide them into their degree-granting schools.

Learn about the AHHS cluster

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