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Undergraduate Major

History Major (BA)

A bachelor's in history will teach you about the past and empower you to make informed decisions to create sustainable change for the future.

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  1. Academics
  2. Undergraduate Degree Programs
  3. History Major (BA)

At a Glance

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Major & Minor

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On Campus

College/School
Campus Location
  • Chester, PA

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Explore the History Major

Through your history major, you'll explore not only the names and events that make the textbooks, but engage with the authentic lives of the diverse people of the world. From the soldiers of World War I to enslaved people in the Caribbean to samurai in Japan, you'll constantly be uncovering new stories.

You'll put what you learn in small, discussion-based classes to work right away through opportunities like internships, research projects, and community engagement events. Explore resources like our on-campus museums and archives, join a cultural immersion trip into Philadelphia, or study abroad to learn the history of an international city.

When you graduate, you'll hold a distinguished résumé of learning experiences and the confidence to excel in careers in education, business, government, and beyond.

History Major Program Options

The history major will teach you both an understanding of societies, economies, political systems, and conflicts, and the skills to research, analyze, write, and persuade.

This interdisciplinary major consists of courses across the College of Arts & Sciences, and allows for you to choose an area of specialization, with new classes constantly being added. A minimum of 6 semester hours of advanced history is required in each category: U.S. history, European history, and non-Western history.

You'll complete your degree by compiling a portfolio including a research project, essays and source analyses, self-assessments, and a résumé.

View Loading... requirements for the history major.

College is about exploration. At Widener, you'll complete a general education curriculum that supports just that. You'll have the flexibility and freedom to dive deep into the topics that spark curiosity, challenge your mind, and power your personal and academic growth. 

Along the way, you'll cultivate critical, meaningful skills employers seek, including:

  • How to make a difference in a diverse world with an inclusive mindset
  • How to write and edit for clear, compelling communication
  • How to analyze data and make decisions using critical thinking

It all starts with ASC 101: Thinking Through — a selection of around 40 course topics that will encourage you to go deeper and examine complex issues that shape our world and our ways of relating to one another. When you dive into the possibilities, you're sure to find multiple courses that inspire and intrigue you, regardless of whether they align with your major! Think of it as an opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone and truly learn something new. Then, in your senior year, you'll come full circle with a capstone course that takes your Thinking Through topic to new heights strengthened by everything you've cultivated along your college journey.

Digital humanities is a rapidly growing, interdisciplinary field that seeks to apply humanistic reasoning and research to important questions related to technology, such as social sustainability, big data, and privacy. Work in digital humanities includes public humanities, data mining/visualization, web design, textual analysis, educational technology, and ethics and technology.

View curriculum and coursework requirements for the digital humanities specialization.

Prepare for a rewarding career teaching social studies with secondary education certification in history. This comprehensive certificate permits graduates to teach social studies courses like history, political science, economics, geography, and world cultures in middle and high schools.

You'll put your knowledge in history, economics, political science, comparative political systems, geography, non-Western cultures and historical and social science research methods to work with professional education courses, field experiences, and multiple student teaching placements.

You'll graduate with the competency and knowledge base required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to sit for your certification upon graduation.

View Loading... requirements for the history secondary education certification.

Widener's pre-professional pathways give you the flexibility to follow your interests while preparing for a professional career.

History majors can participate in the following pathways:

*Students with a high level of academic potential may be eligible for the “3 + 3” program with a Widener law school where you can earn a bachelor's degree in history and a juris doctor degree in just six years.

Take Your History Degree Further

Through Widener’s Accelerated Advantage program, you can earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree with only one additional year of study—saving you valuable time and money. Master's degrees can be earned in allied health education (MEd), business administration (MBA), criminal justice (MCJ), organizational development and leadership (MA), and public administration (MPA).
 
While Widener does not offer a master’s degree in the same field as this major, you can still select from a variety of powerhouse master’s programs that will enhance your job opportunities and prepare you for rapid career growth.

Learn more about our Accelerated Advantage 4+1 Program

Worried about landing a paid internship? Widener's Experience MORE! program helps bridge the gap for Arts & Sciences students in unpaid or underpaid internships, meaning awardees can get both the experience and the paycheck. You'll also receive support with your cover letter, interview prep, and finding an impactful internship.

Recent internship sites include the Philadelphia Union, Museum of Arts & Sciences (Smithsonian affiliate), Delaware County Office of Sustainability, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, United Health Services of Delaware, and more! 

Hear from student awardees about their experiences

Pair Your History Major with a Minor or Certificate 

Legal Studies Certificate

Advantages

Looking towards law school? Learn the basics of business law, American government, and philosophical concepts with a legal studies minor.

Outcome

Lawyer

Political Science Minor

Advantages

Develop your understanding of politics and power from domestic, international, and comparative perspectives and learn how to legally solve confrontations.

Outcome

Political Advisor

African and African American Studies Minor

Advantages

Explore the experiences of Africans and African-descended peoples while examining theories of race and how race intersects with other fields.

Outcome

Archivist

Anthropology Minor

Advantages

Learn the inner workings of cultures around the world to understand how the past shapes our present day lives.

Outcome

Archaeologist

Accounting Minor

Advantages

Dive into accounting and business law courses that will prepare you for a career investigating and preventing financial fraud.

Outcome

Forensic Accountant

Career Outlook & Outcomes for History Majors

Recent Employers

  • Kennedys CMK
  • Cozen O’Connor
  • TD Bank
  • Chester County School District
  • EF Education First

Industry Growth

Employment of archivists, curators, and museum workers is expected to increase by 12% by 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Projections.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Exceptional Law & Graduate School Placements

Recent Widener history graduates have attended distinguished law schools and received advanced degrees at universities nationwide.

Potential Careers

  • Law
  • Education
  • Government
  • Public history
  • Public relations

Why Study History at Widener?

Hospitality Study Abroad Students

Learn Beyond the Classroom

At Widener, you'll bring history to life through immersive projects and experiences. Students have created a virtual walking tour of historic sites on campus, sponsored a Humanities Summer Camp for middle school students, and arranged an archival “treasure hunt” for community members.

History majors also present their research at conferences regionally and internationally, and you can earn course credit for internships at archives, historic sites, and advocacy organizations.

Whether you join an urban excursion to investigate historic Philadelphia architecture or study abroad in China for a semester, you'll find the history major filled with worlds of possibility.

Faculty member mentoring student at high top table

Experience Mentorship & Support From Day One

We want to get to know you and see you succeed. Professors will pay attention to how you learn and what you want to accomplish. Your Personal Student Success Team—faculty and peer mentors and liaisons for campus resources—will make sure your first year runs smoothly.

Without skipping a beat, you’ll have what you need to make Widener your second home. And you’ll know how to invest in the greater community, from professional opportunities in Philadelphia to volunteer experiences in your new backyard.

Lean more about faculty mentorship
Explore resources for academic & career support
Find support for health & wellbeing

Our Faculty

Yufeng Mao
Yufeng Mao
Associate Professor

“My research and teaching focus on East Asian and world history. I'm interested in how China, Japan, and Korea have historically interacted with each other, with the West, and with the rest of the world. My classes aim to help students critically assess original documents and form coherent arguments supported by historical evidence."

Richard Hopkins
Richard S. Hopkins
Chair of History

"Students become historians by "doing history" – they learn to think critically about the past, to develop research questions and conduct research, . . . and to have fun! History is an endlessly fascinating inquiry into the human past that can yield essential insights into the human present."

Jordan B. Smith
Jordan B. Smith
Associate Professor of History

“I help students recognize that history surrounds us. We visit museums and reflect on the human relationships that created a painting, a chair, or a teacup. And we connect classroom lessons on slavery, the constitution, or the Civil War to ongoing public discussions. Students leave my classes asking new questions about the past and present.”

View All Faculty Explore Faculty Research Interests

Recent News

L to R: Ryan Raiker, Col. Tom Vossler, Donya Moore, Jill Borin, and Marcia Zaruba O’Connor pose with their awards.

The 2023 Alumni Awards: A Family Affair

The 2023 Alumni Awards recognized the accomplishments of Jill Borin, Donya Moore, Col. Tom Vossler, Ryan Raiker, and Marcia Zaruba O’Connor at an intimate ceremony.

View All College of Arts & Sciences News

Admissions & Aid

Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!

Admissions

Applying to Widener is easy—and free! Simply complete our Widener Application or the Common Application. You'll also need your official high school transcript and either an admissions essay or your SAT/ACT scores. We're a test-optional school, so there's no need to submit both.

Know you're interested in applying to Widener but unsure if you're ready to zero-in on a major? You can apply as an Exploratory Studies student with an undecided major. This program will help you start your college journey on the right foot while you explore which undergraduate program is the right fit for you.

When to Apply​

We accept applications on a rolling basis—there are no hard deadlines. Apply when you're ready and we'll take a look as soon as we receive your app. 

Key dates to keep in mind:​

  • October 1: FAFSA opens for the next academic year (Widener's school code is 003313)​
  • November 1: Early Action deadline and decision notifications begin​

What to Expect After Applying​

Once we receive your application and all materials, you can expect to hear back from us quickly. Along with your application decision, you'll also find out about any merit-based scholarship awards. You're automatically considered for merit scholarships as soon as you apply—you don't need to apply separately.

Learn more about the application process

If you apply before November 1, you are considered an Early Action applicant which comes with benefits like:

  • Receiving your admissions decision by Thanksgiving
  • Early consideration for merit-based scholarships
  • Early notification of financial aid offers, including need-based awards
  • Priority enrollment for summer registration—where you sign up for classes!

All applications are non-binding, so why wait? Apply today!

Our admissions team will help you make the most of college-level credits earned after high school. We maintain strong partnerships and articulation agreements with numerous local community colleges and also accept a wide range of course credits earned at accredited colleges and universities.

Curious about how many credits may transfer? Email your transcripts to transfer@widener.edu and our transfer coordinator will personally review your coursework as an unofficial credit evaluation. Applicants are given priority during busy seasons, but you don't have to apply to work with our transfer coordinator. 

Transferring doesn't have to be a guessing game—share your stats and we'll take it from there! 

Learn more about applying as a transfer student

Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.

Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process. 

This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.

Learn more about applying as an international student
Learn more about life at Widener as an international student

Financial Aid

Because Widener is a private institution, we're able to offer financial assistance that brings an exceptional education within reach. Complete your admissions application today to determine your financial aid package, including scholarships and grants.

Widener FAFSA Code 003313

Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to getting you the financial assistance to make the cost of college—an investment in your future—affordable. This free, online application is the gateway to grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education offers billions of dollars in financial aid to eligible students. Widener gets in on the action, too, annually awarding aid to students with need. 

You and at least one parent or caregiver will need a separate FSA ID to access the Federal Student Aid's online system and serve as your legal signatures. Make sure to create your unique FSA IDs before you get started. Our school code is 003313.

 

    Paths to Savings

    Nearly 100% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid

    Nearly 100% of new full-time undergraduate students receive significant financial aid offers that reduce out-of-pocket costs and make a Widener education not only affordable, but well worth the investment. In fact, once your total financial aid is calculated, the cost of a Widener education is often equal to if not lower than other competitive universities–but with far superior outcomes for your career and earning potential.

    The first step to see how much aid you qualify for is submitting the FAFSA.

    Scholarships Start at $100,000 Over 4 Years

    (including $20,000 per academic year for transfer students)

    Funding you don't have to pay back after graduation? That's a win-win! Scholarships and grants are a way for the university and other organizations to honor the academic, merit, and talent-based achievements of our students.

    4+1 Students Save Time & Tuition

    In the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you can save up to a year of tuition by pursuing a master's degree—resulting in thousands of dollars in savings. During your fifth year of study, you can also apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships to further reduce education costs. To learn more about graduate scholarships and assistantships, please speak with your academic advisor during the spring semester of your senior year.

    More About Tuition & Financial Aid

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    Explore All Undergrad Programs Undecided? Check Out Exploratory Studies