​​History​

exploring the past for your future  

The Department of History is one of the largest producers of undergraduate history majors anywhere in the nation.

Students may pursue the traditional Bachelor of Arts in History, but students anticipating medical school may seek a Bachelor of Science in History, together with the Medical and Health Humanities minor. Students interested in museum careers may pursue a for-credit internship with one of more than a dozen regional partners, including our very own Sam Houston Memorial Museum on campus.

Our faculty of award-winning scholar-teachers has produced more than twenty books and dozens of articles in the last decade. With research interests including migration and cross-cultural exchange, religion and politics, urban space and the environment, race and civil rights, war and memory, the Department of History is committed to innovative scholarship, student engagement, and pedagogical excellence.

The Department is the co-editorial home (with Rice University) of The Journal of Southern History, the field’s scholarly journal of record. This partnership provides students with peerless opportunities to complete editorial internships and work with leading scholars. Students interested in the U.S. Civil War can also benefit from the work of our Civil War Consortium, which hosts an annual public conference and other events.

These opportunities, our state-of-the-art curriculum, and small class sizes truly set the department apart, making SHSU a great place to study history.

​​What’s the Difference Between the Two Degrees?​ 

​​The Bachelor of Science (BS) requires additional hours of a social science (e.g., psychology, sociology, political science, communication studies, etc.), whereas the Bachelor of Arts (BA) requires additional hours of a foreign language (e.g., Spanish, French, American Sign, etc.).​ 

​​Where and How Is This Program Available?​ 

​​Both the BA and BS programs in History are offered in person on our Huntsville campus or online. The online option allows you to complete your four-year degree with flexibility.​