History students in costume

Introduction: What is History?

At the college level, the discipline of history involves not simply learning facts about the past, but sharpening skills of analysis and interpretation. As you critically evaluate primary documents as well as books and articles written by professional historians, you need to consider not simply what happened but why and how different perceptions of a particular moment in the past came to be formed. In our coursework, you will learn how to interpret evidence and craft your own interpretations of the past. The history faculty at Penn State Altoona aims to empower you as an independent thinker, researcher, and writer, confident in your knowledge and your ability to critically examine new information.

The skills of critical thinking, intellectual flexibility and clear argumentative writing that history majors cultivate are at the core of the liberal arts tradition. Mastery of these skills will enrich your life and, we hope, deepen your engagement with the present as well as the past, and with the global community as well as the local and national ones. They are also skills that are in high demand in a number of rewarding professions. History majors can go on to careers in the private sector, in public service and in the non-profit sector. We encourage you to think about and explore a variety of options, many of which require further study beyond your B.A. These fields include business, journalism, law, library science and information technology, medicine, museum work, public administration, publishing, social work, teaching, urban and regional planning. Graduate study in history itself is another path, either at the M.A. or Ph.D. levels. For even more reasons to study history, please consult Why Study History?

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Performer at History encampment

The history major at Penn State Altoona seeks to train students broadly yet also allow them the flexibility to pursue special areas of interest. A minimum of 37 credits in history is required for the major.

History majors begin by laying a strong foundation for studying the past by taking two of the three survey sequences in U.S. history, European history, and World history. Students in the major must also take the undergraduate seminar, History 302W, sometime in their sophomore or junior year. This course introduces them to essential questions concerning the philosophy of history, research methodologies, and historiography (which is the history of how history has changed over time). Students will then be prepared to meet the higher expectations in the areas of critical reading and research found in the 400-level courses, 12 credits of which they must complete.

The final requirement of the history major is the senior capstone, which forms the most distinctive feature of the Penn State Altoona history program. Students may pursue either the research track or the applied track, depending on their interests and career plans. The research track entails the writing of a senior thesis under the direction of a faculty thesis adviser on a subject of the student's own choosing. The applied track consists of an internship experience, again under the direction of a faculty adviser, at a site where the student can use and develop their essential skills in a professional setting commensurate with their intended career.

History graduates at Penn State Altoona will thus be both well trained and positioned for success as they then move on to either post-graduate study or right into a profession.

History Study Abroad in London

History majors are strongly encouraged to include study abroad in their educational program. Mastery of a foreign language and experience of a foreign culture greatly strengthen a history major's analytical abilities and open up all kinds of interesting career options. Students who decide to major in history are strongly encouraged to begin the study of a foreign language during their first year at the university. They should also work closely with the faculty adviser and the college study abroad office to identify the international program that best fits their interests. Study abroad is surprisingly affordable, too. For more information about study abroad at Penn State, meet with your faculty adviser and also consult the following sites:

History students visiting a historical site

Lots of students who are interested in history ask, "So what can I do when I graduate?" The answer is "Whatever you think will be interesting and rewarding." In addition to teaching at all levels, graduates with history specialties can find employment in journalism, archives, government service, and private sector business, to just name a few areas. Undergraduate preparation in history provides the kind of broad education and ability to think that leads to success in many fields.

For further information on career opportunities, consult the American Historical Association guidebook to Careers for History Majors as well as the subject headings below. Work with your faculty adviser to select complementary coursework and internships that will prepare you to pursue any of these career options. In perusing the list below, ask yourself the questions "So which of these areas can I see myself working in?"

Non-Profit Sector

  • Archives
    • Archivist
    • Records Manager
  • Heritage and Cultural Agencies
  • Historical Associations & Societies
  • Historical Projects
  • Libraries
    • Reference librarian
    • Catalog librarian
    • Research librarian
    • Technical librarian
  • Museums
    • Curator
    • Conservator
    • Education specialist
    • Publication specialist
    • Public Relations specialist
  • Planning Agencies
  • Research Institutions
  • Religious & Philanthropic Organizations
  • Teaching
    • Primary and secondary schools
    • College/University and Adult Education

Private Sector

  • Banking and Investment Services
    • Research/Analyst
  • Communications Media
    • Documentary Film making
    • Web-based News Agencies
    • Television and Radio
  • Consulting & Free-lance Assignments
    • Archives/record management
    • Cultural resource management
    • Historical research/writing/editing
    • Legal and policy research
    • Preservation/restoration
  • Insurance
    • Research/analyst
  • Publishing
    • Editors (book, journals, magazine, web)
  • Law
  • Management (general)
  • Marketing and Advertising
  • Public Relations
  • Travel & Tourism

Public Sector

  • Archives (federal, state, & municipal)
  • Departments of Education, Environmental Protection, etc.
  • Department of State - Foreign Service
  • Federal agency preservation offices
  • Government
    • Executive Branch
    • Legislative Branch
    • Judicial Branch
    • Federal
    • State
    • Local
    • Military Services
  • Historical Offices (general and military services)
  • Heritage/Cultural Agencies
  • Intelligence Services
  • National Park Services
  • Legislatures (administrative assistants & elected officials)
  • Libraries & Museums (federal, state & municipal)
  • Planning Agencies
  • State Historic Preservation Offices

History students visiting a historical site

Graduate study in history at the M.A. and Ph.D. levels is required for anyone who wishes to consider a career as a college professor. A number of the career paths above may also require or strongly advise graduate training. There are many factors to consider when choosing a graduate program that best matches your interests and career plans. You should work with your faculty history adviser during your junior year so that you can evaluate your options more fully. You may also wish to consult the following site sponsored by the American Historical Association.