Department of History Programs

The Department of History’s comprehensive curriculum focuses on a deep understanding of the myriad forces creating our modern world and develops students’ analytical, communication, and problem solving skills. Faculty are nationally-recognized researchers whose broad expertise allows students to gain an understanding of American, European, and non-Western history. Students are taught to analyze complex evidence, to recognize bias in both contemporary and historical sources, and to understand how history is constructed.

Candidates for the bachelor of science in history are motivated to teach. In their pursuit to understand particular events and to know how and why things happened, they also consider how to relate this information to middle school or high school students. Often serving as coaches, team leaders, tutors, or assistants, their investigations into the human experience and research into the origins, nature, and effects of historical change become an exercise to hone their skills for the practice of teaching. Upon the completion of the degree and awarding of teacher certification, many of our graduates find employment in Connecticut schools. They often pursue master’s level work in history, the humanities, or the social sciences before perhaps moving on to doctoral work in education. Highly motivated candidates not only complete a student teaching internship, but also pursue internships in various local historical societies and museums. Our small faculty to student ratio allows students to conduct research with their professors and for the highly motivated to pursue departmental honors work.

The accelerated pathway program has been designed to provide high-achieving students intending to become secondary school social studies teachers with the opportunity to complete graduate coursework beginning in their junior year. In doing so, they can complete their B.S. in History 7-12 and an Accelerated M.A. in History in five years.

Candidates for the bachelor of arts in history value the investigation of the human experience. They come to the study history because they possess a great enthusiasm for research into the origins, nature, and effects of historical change. They seek to understand particular events and to know how and why things happened. This course of study prepares them to enter a variety of fields and industries that value critical thinking, the ability to conduct research, and an ease of communication. Upon the completion of the degree, some of our graduates pursue master’s level or doctoral work in the field or in allied studies while others find employment in administrative positions, social service work, business operations, national and international sales, local, state, & federal government, or non-profit endeavors. Our small faculty to student ratio allows students to conduct research with their professors, to experience internships in the field, and for the highly motivated to pursue departmental honors work.

Looking to deepen your historical knowledge? A Certificate in History at Southern might be your answer. Certificates provide extended study in a particular field (American, European, non-Western) similar to a graduate-level minor. Recipients have used their certificates to distinguish their academic records demonstrating competency in advanced historical coursework. Whether you are a secondary education teacher looking for enhanced content for your classroom, a graduate in an allied field wanting to add historical study to your skillset, or someone interested in history for personal development, a Certificate in History is for you.

The Master of Arts (MA) in History provides candidates with advanced historical coursework ranging from the Ancient to the Modern world in the areas of U.S., European, and Non-Western History. Southern’s History MA allows secondary education teachers to broaden and increase their knowledge base for their classrooms, while providing a firm foundation for other candidates interested in pursuing university teaching positions and advanced PhD level research. Our program grants maximum flexibility that caters towards individual student interests. Graduates of the program have found employment in the growing field of family history, teaching in the parochial schools, and have been placed in PhD programs such as Notre Dame and Columbia. Financial support is available in the form of Graduate Assistantships for teaching and research. Our faculty enjoy a small student to faculty ratio and are always willing to help.

A minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 with at least 18 credits of history is required for admission.
Interested applicants who do not meet school or departmental requirements should consult the History Graduate Coordinator before taking courses as a non-matriculated student.

Explore History with Southern.

Students seeking a minor in history wish to enhance their studies with an historical investigation into the human experience. Perhaps a particular course piqued their interest or the study of history provides a path for parallel research into the origins, nature, and effects of historical change. Majors in the arts, sciences, humanities, and social sciences are all well- served by a minor in history.