History
History is a key component of a liberal arts education. At Methodist University, you won’t simply memorize a long list of dates, names, and places. You will attempt to comprehend the past on its own terms, consider the factors that lead to history change, enhance your understanding and appreciation of other cultures, and consider the human experience over time and place.
Common Career Paths
While many undergraduate degrees lead to jobs directly tied to their major, history majors have access to many jobs in a variety of industries. Some of the more well-known careers for history majors include librarian, museum archivist, history professor, historian, or researcher. However, you may have not known about other jobs including park ranger, journalist, writer, business consultant, or lawyer.
Common Salary Ranges for Graduates
As mentioned above, there’s a long list of career opportunities for those with history degrees. But, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average annual salary for the following positions (which may require additional education) in North Carolina in 2021:
- History teacher (postsecondary): $79,490
- Historian: $73,790
- Archivist: $58,430
Average Tuition Cost
The average cost for an incoming residential freshman to attend MU is less than $18,000 – similar to the cost of attending one of the big-box public schools, but with the enhanced value of a highly-regarded private school with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
While tuition varies, depending on a student’s financial aid package, it’s important to know that the average financial award for an incoming residential freshman at MU is more than $34,000.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
More than 97% of MU students receive some form of financial aid, with the University offering more than $24 million annually to students for scholarships. If a student is active military, family of active military, or a veteran, they may also qualify for MU’s military education benefits.
Interested in Methodist University’s History program?
If you have questions, see the FAQ below or reach out to Dr. Patrick O’Neil using the contact info at the bottom of the page. If you’re ready to apply today, click the button below!
Frequently Asked Questions
While many undergraduate degrees lead to jobs directly tied to their major, history majors have access to many jobs in a variety of industries. Some more well-known careers for history majors include librarian, museum archivist, history professor, historian, or researcher. However, you may have not known about other jobs including park ranger, journalist, writer, business consultant, or lawyer.
Similar to other majors, an internship isn’t necessarily required to earn your degree or even earn a job in a field related to history. However, internships provide great opportunities for you to expand your knowledge while gaining valuable workplace experience that could place you in a better position to earn a job related to history.
Major Requirements
The History major consists of 45 credits distributed as follows:
Required Core Courses
24 credits
| *HIS 0900 History Capstone (0) | HIS 2160 History of Science (3) |
| HIS 1030 World History I (3) | HIS 3000 History in Theory and Practice (3) |
| HIS 1040 World History II (3) | HIS 3250 Modern History (3) |
| HIS 2010 United States History I (3) | HIS 3700 Contemporary World History (3) |
| HIS 2020 United States History II (3) |
*Note: All History majors must complete a required capstone course. Simultaneously to taking HIS 0900, the student will select a 3000 level or higher course approved by the History Department and make a capstone presentation to the department.
Electives
Select seven History courses (21 credits) from the following list:
| HIS 2040 U.S. Women’s History (3) | HIS 3610 The Civil Rights Movement (3) |
| HIS 2170 Race and Ethnicity in Global Perspective (3) | HIS 3620 History of North Carolina (3) |
| HIS 3010 Topics in Modern Asian History (3) | HIS 3800 Topics in U.S. Social and Cultural History (3) |
| HIS 3110 Ancient History (3) | HIS 3810 Topics in European Social and Cultural History (3) |
| HIS 3120 Medieval History (3) | HIS 3820 History and Gender (3) |
| HIS 3130 Renaissance and Reformation Europe (3) | HIS 3850 Special Topics in History (3) |
| HIS 3160 The Age of Crusades (3) | HIS 4210 American Military Experience (3) |
| HIS 3170 The Middle Ages on Film (3) | HIS 4220 Post WWII America (3) |
| HIS 3220 Early Modern History (3) | HIS 4300 History Museum Internship (3) |
| HIS 3310 Topics in Latin American History (3) | HIS 4550 Senior Seminar: The Craft of History (3) |
| HIS 3550 American Slavery (3) | HIS 4990 Independent Study in History (3) |
| HIS 3600 American Civil War and Reconstruction Era (3) |
Minor & Associate of Arts Concentration Requirements
The History minor and Associate of Arts subject concentration consists of 18 credits distributed as follows:
Required Courses
9 credits
| HIS 1030 World History I (3) | HIS 3000 History in Theory and Practice (3) |
| HIS 1040 World History II (3) |
Electives
Select three History courses (9 credits) at the 2000 level or above.
Contact
Patrick O’Neil, Ph.D.
