History Degree

The study of history is critical for an understanding of the human experience. Through the study of history, students develop an understanding of who we are, where we came from, how and why society has changed over time, and how humans have interacted with each other and with the natural world. Hiram’s history major prepares students for active citizenship and informed, thoughtful decision-making throughout their lives.

4-Year Undergraduate Degree

  • School of Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences
  • Course Catalog

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History Major Program Summary

Being a history major is much more than just memorizing the events of the past. History students must develop a greater understanding of the patterns, causes, and effects of human behavior and existence. Students will complete historical research and write about history with authority and valued insights. Plus, the Hiram College history program works closely with students to help them with career planning and preparation.

The history program also brings speakers to campus to discuss career opportunities for students to explore beyond our history major. Alumni have gone on to become business leaders, lawyers, teachers and professors, political leaders, government workers, librarians, and leaders in nonprofit organizations.

Career Paths for Those Pursuing a History Degree

Upon graduating from Hiram College with your history degree, there are numerous career roles that you can pursue, including the following:

  • Lawyer
  • Historian
  • Librarian
  • Museum archivist
  • Park ranger
  • Business consultant

History students may participate in extramural programs which give them an opportunity to study history in the field. Our history degree program offers study trips to various North American and international locations. For more information on all the trips that we offer, visit the study abroad page. 

Hiram also holds several academic accreditations, ensuring that our programs meet rigorous educational standards. Learn more by visiting our accreditation page.

Life at Hiram Outside the Classroom

While pursuing your history degree at Hiram, you have the opportunity to be a part of a community that is dedicated to student involvement. That is why we have over 20 clubs and organizations geared toward student interests both inside and outside of the classroom. Some of our extracurriculars fall into the following categories:

  • Academic societies
  • Special-interest groups
  • Cultural groups
  • Sports organizations
  • Political action groups

For more information about the clubs and organizations that you can join while pursuing your history major, please contact our team directly!

What Makes Hiram College Unique

Situated in the village of Hiram, Ohio, Hiram College offers a convenient centralized location that attracts students from nearby cities such as Akron, Cleveland, and Youngstown, as well as from Columbus and western Pennsylvania.

Along with this, when choosing Hiram College for your history degree, you’ll be choosing a college that is dedicated to individual student success. With that in mind, some of the reasons students choose our history major include:

  • A 10-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio that makes for intimate and interactive classrooms
  • A career development center that provides Hiram students and alumni with the resources they need to pursue a worthwhile career with a history degree
  • A student body that is culturally diverse and comprised of both minority and international students
  • The opportunity to expand on undergraduate education through our various graduate programs

Degree Requirements and Tuition Costs for History Majors

The history major at Hiram College is designed to provide students with both a broad and deep understanding of historical perspectives across regions and time periods. To receive a history degree, students will need to fulfill core academic requirements, major-specific coursework, and key experiential milestones.

The degree completion requirements to expect as a history major include:

  • Credit hours – Complete a minimum of 120 semester hours, including electives, general education, and 38 hours in the history major
  • Grade point average – Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in both overall and history degree coursework
  • Capstone experience – Complete both the Junior Seminar and Senior Seminar as part of your history major’s culminating academic work
  • Urgent challenges curriculum – Fulfill Hiram’s core curriculum focused on real-world application, interdisciplinary learning, and skill development

Tuition and fees can vary depending on your enrollment status, housing, and additional experiences. For a full breakdown of costs, please visit our tuition and fees page for more information.

FAQs About Our History Degree and More

One of the best aspects of a history degree is its versatility. As outlined above, careers in law, education, archiving, business, and more are all possible, with government roles also being a viable option. The knowledge and skills you will develop when part of a history major are exactly what many employers are looking for, as your organizational abilities, research aptitude, and analysis expertise are all incredibly transferrable to variable industries.

At Hiram, we’re dedicated to student growth and development, and that is shown in the many programs, services, and facilities that we provide. When you take part in our history major, you’ll gain access to elements like:

Be sure to visit our links for more detailed information or reach out to our team with any questions and we’ll be happy to help.

It’s easy! Simply go to our campus visit page and choose from weekday or Saturday options. We also have virtual visits available for weekdays and Saturdays as well, along with special events that can be great meet-and-greet opportunities.

Students earning a history degree at Hiram will build a versatile set of skills that are in demand across a wide range of industries. Rooted in the discipline of historical study, these skills include:

  • Advanced research
  • Source evaluation
  • Evidence-based analysis
  • Understanding of global perspectives
  • Ethical reasoning
  • Critical thinking
  • Interpretation of primary sources
  • Informed decision-making

Along with the capstones mentioned previously, as a history major you can expect to complete 8 history courses distributed across geographic regions in a 3-3-2 format. This includes:

  • 3 courses in one region
  • 3 courses in a second region
  • 2 courses in the remaining region

You will also need to complete 2 courses in French, Spanish, or additional history electives. To see the full list of courses, visit the history degree section of the Hiram course catalog.

Take Your Next Steps Toward Earning Your History Degree Today

If you are ready to take the next steps toward starting your history major in northeast Ohio, apply to Hiram College today.

And if you have any additional questions about our history degree, please contact our admission team today. We look forward to reviewing our program details and discussing your future at Hiram College!

Faculty

Merose Hwang, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair of the History Program, Program Coordinator for the Asian Studies Minor and the Peace Corps Preparatory Program
Hiram Tuition Guarantee – Your tuition costs are locked in for all four years of your undergraduate experience.

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