Shape the Future
A History degree from St. Edward's University helps you understand how the past influences the world we live in today. As you explore diverse cultures, historical events and influential ideas across centuries, you'll develop the research, analytical thinking and communication skills to examine complex questions from multiple perspectives.
Why earn your History degree at St. Edward’s?
Through faculty mentorship, original research and hands-on experiences in archives, museums and historical institutions, you'll learn how to uncover evidence, interpret stories and connect the past to today's challenges. Whether you're preparing for law school, graduate study, education, public history, business or public service, you'll graduate ready to think critically, communicate effectively and lead with confidence.
Join a Community of Historians
Continue your learning outside the classroom through organizations like Hilltop Historians and Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society. Attend guest speakers, collaborate with classmates, participate in academic events and become part of a community that shares your passion for understanding the past.
Explore History Beyond the Classroom
Bring history to life through internships, archival research and experiential learning. From museums and libraries to historical collections and cultural institutions, you'll gain hands-on experience working with primary sources while applying what you learn in meaningful, real-world settings.
Conduct Research That Matters
History majors don't just study history—they create it. Work alongside faculty mentors on original research projects, present your findings at the St. Edward's Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE) or professional conferences, and gain experience using the same research methods as professional historians.
Academic Excellence
Learn from Faculty Who Know You
Small class sizes create opportunities to build lasting relationships with award-winning professors who become trusted mentors throughout your college experience. They'll help you refine your interests, prepare for graduate school or your career, and support your success long after graduation.
Life as a History Major at St. Edward's University
History is about asking questions, uncovering evidence and discovering the stories that shaped our world.
You'll analyze primary sources, conduct archival research, debate historical events, present your findings and collaborate with faculty on meaningful research projects. Outside the classroom, you'll connect with classmates through student organizations, attend guest lectures and gain practical experience through internships that bring history to life.
Every experience helps you become a stronger researcher, writer and critical thinker while preparing you for a wide range of careers.
A Highly Successful History Program
History majors graduate with more than historical knowledge—they develop research, communication and analytical skills that prepare them to thrive in graduate school and careers across law, education, museums, public history, nonprofit leadership, business and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions about a History Degree from St. Edward's University
As a History major, you’ll explore the people, events and ideas that have shaped societies around the world — and use the past to better understand the issues we face today. You’ll examine topics such as civil rights, war and conflict, political and social movements, and cultures across different regions and time periods.
Along the way, you’ll learn to think like a historian: asking meaningful questions, evaluating primary and secondary sources, considering different perspectives and building evidence-based interpretations. You’ll develop strong research, critical thinking, writing and communication skills that prepare you to make informed arguments, navigate complex information and bring historical perspective to the challenges of today.
Find what you need to apply and important deadlines. When you are ready, there are three ways for you to apply to St. Edward’s:
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Degree Plan
Major Requirements: The Bachelor of Arts in History requires 37 hours of History major courses, which include introductory courses in U.S. and World history, and advanced courses in U.S., European, and World History. Through these courses students build skills that help prepare them for future interests in a broad range of career fields.
Electives: In addition to History classes, students complete 29 hours of elective courses in any area of study they choose. These courses do not have to relate to the History major.
General Education Requirements: The History degree requires up to 54 hours of general education courses that students complete over four years in addition to their major courses and electives.
View and download the full degree plan for our History major (PDF).
A few examples of courses students in this major take:
- Introduction to Historical Methods – This class is designed to introduce students to how historians think, analyze, research and write. The course will engage in a shared research project examining historical artifacts found in local archives. Topics vary by semester.which will vary by semester.
- Civil Rights and Social Wrongs – This course is a survey of the evolution and development of the concept of civil rights in the United States. The course explores issues of power, race, gender, and class in U.S. society.
- Wars of the 20th Century – This course investigates the causes and consequences of conflict focusing on how people understood European wars and how they impacted different populations.
Yes. Students who wish to broaden their knowledge of history are encouraged to pursue a minor in History. Take the Introduction to Historical Methods class and 15 more hours of courses on topics of your choosing, 9 of which are upper division.
To get a History minor, students must complete 18 total hours of coursework.
Required Coursework (18 hours):
- Introduction to Historical Methods (required)
- Five History elective courses, with at least three upper-division courses
Yes. With our Accelerated Graduate Pathways, you can complete your BA in History and one of three master’s degrees in as little as five years, saving time and money. See details and requirements.
- History to Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- History to MS in Business Analytics and Applied AI
Success coaches and academic advisors guide you through undergraduate and graduate courses to maximize benefits.
Research Opportunities
Students majoring in History are challenged to pursue research projects. You’ll be required to produce research papers in particular subjects and will have multiple opportunities to produce work worthy of presentation.
Delve into Professional Research Methods
As you progress through your coursework, you are trained in historical methods where you learn how historians think, argue, research and write. You’ll learn how to design a research project, frame a key question of inquiry, locate primary and secondary sources, read them critically, reach an evidence-based interpretation, and present your work. You’ll discover how historians draw on other disciplines such as statistics, psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology and political science.
Access Historical Archives
Austin has a large number of archives and other sources of historical materials for students to use. This provides firsthand experience with archival materials. The Introduction to Historical Methods course and the Senior Research Seminar both invite students to use local archives, such as those at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library, the Briscoe Center for American History, the Texas State Archives and the Austin History Center. In these classes, you’ll engage with materials produced by the people in the era you are studying. You’ll learn how to use original documents from this time period to inform your historical projects.
Present Your Work at Conferences
As a History major, you may present at conferences such as the World History Association of Texas, Phi Alpha Theta (history honor society) and St. Edward's Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE).
Apply for Prestigious Fellowships
Current students have the opportunity to apply for the McNair Fellowship. Our graduates have also been awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship.
History majors go on to a variety of careers and graduate schools from St. Edward’s.
Here’s a sample.
- Archivist for the Texas State Archives and Library Commission
- City attorney
- Graduate student in the Master of Arts in Museum Studies at George Washington University
- Graduate student in History doctoral program at Texas A&M University
- English Teaching Assistant in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program
- Law students at The University of Texas at Austin and Duke University
- Teach for America corps member
- Social Studies teachers at area middle and high schools
Internships
By interning with an organization focused on the preservation and teaching of history, you’ll improve your research and organizational skills and get a firsthand look at the complex decisions that are part of historical interpretation. History students have recently interned at the following:
- Texas Historical Commission
- Washington Center Internship Program
- Texas General Land Office
- Texas Military Forces Museum
- Bob Bullock State History Museum
- Texas State Cemetery
- Texas State Library and Archives Commission
- Texas State Historical Commission, Archeology Lab
At St. Edward’s, our faculty are outstanding scholars, thought leaders, teachers and mentors who bring energy and enthusiasm to our vibrant learning community. They take pride in getting to know you, helping you achieve your goals and celebrating your successes.
View a list of our faculty members and their contact information on the Department of History and Leadership webpage.
Preparing for Your Future in History
A History degree prepares you to ask thoughtful questions, analyze evidence and communicate ideas with clarity—skills that are valued in nearly every profession. Whether you're pursuing law school, graduate study or careers in museums, archives, education, public policy, business, communications or nonprofit leadership, you'll graduate with the research, writing and critical thinking abilities employers seek.
Through internships, faculty mentorship and original research experiences, you'll build a strong foundation for a career centered on curiosity, lifelong learning and meaningful impact.
Making an Impact
History students at St. Edward’s have opportunities to conduct original research, work closely with faculty mentors and share their scholarship through publications and academic conferences. Their work explores important historical questions and demonstrates the depth of research, analysis and writing students develop through the program.
Student Scholarship
- Alyssa Durnil: “‘Tiocfaidh Ár Lá, Our Day Will Come’: Tracing the Origins of Ireland’s Support for Palestine,” Yale Historical Review 11, no. 1 (2021): 91–109.
- Alexa Jaimes: “‘¡Luchar Para Estudiar!’: Student Movements in Chile and Argentina through Blogs and Ephemera, 2010 to 2013,” McNair Program Scholars Research Journal 13 (2022): 66–79. Mentored by Dr. Daniel P. Glenn.
- Pedro Galvan: “Secession in Texas: Division Amongst the People,” McNair Program Scholars Research Journal 14 (2023): 24–33. Mentored by Dr. Daniel P. Glenn.
- Robin Long: “Starving, Marching, and Armed: Soldiers’ Wives in Confederate Mobile,” delivered at the 2026 Alabama Historical Association meeting in Fairhope, AL, April 2026. Mentored by Dr. Daniel P. Glenn.