The study of history gives students the analytical and communication skills necessary to succeed in today's workplace. It is also essential for being an informed citizen. The history major covers an array of subjects: the Roman Empire, modern U.S. foreign policy, China's Cultural Revolution, medieval Islam, the American Revolution and many, many others. Every major takes an introductory seminar on historical writing and analysis, and the major concludes with a senior colloquium that allows students to conduct in-depth research on a topic of their choosing. History is a flexible major. That makes history an excellent choice for students who plan to study abroad or who want to complete a double major in another discipline.
Students sometimes ask, "what can you do with a history major?" The answer is practically anything you want. History majors have attended some of the top graduate programs in the country. Many become teachers, but history majors also go into law, medicine and business, as well as careers in technology, international relations, politics and the media. Majoring in history prepares students well for the intellectual flexibility and ability to think outside the box that today's job market demands.
Undergraduate Awards for Majors
The Philip M. Marston Scholarship, an award of $500, is available to students who are interested in colonial or New England history and have demonstrated financial need. There are course requirements for this scholarship. More details are available from the history office.
Each spring, the members of the departmental undergraduate committee choose history majors to receive the following prizes in history:
- The William Greenleaf Prize is given for the best senior colloquium paper. Award candidates must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.2 in history courses. Individuals may nominate themselves or may be nominated by faculty members.
- The Allen Linden Prize for the best senior history thesis is funded by the Signal Fund.
- The Charles Clark Prize is for the best essay or research paper submitted by a history major and is funded by the Signal Fund.
Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society, is an international scholastic organization dedicated to promoting historical study on the undergraduate and graduate levels. Admission to the UNH Psi Pi chapter is open to undergraduates with an overall grade-point average of 3.0, a grade-point average of 3.4 or better in history courses, and completion of HIST 500 Introduction to Historical Thinking.
Five-Year BA/MA Program
The History Department offers our majors an opportunity to complete an accelerated Master's Degree in history in as little as one additional year of study. Eligible seniors and juniors are able to take up to 12 credits in graduate history courses, which will count both toward the completion of the history B.A. requirements, and the history M.A. requirements. This accelerated option is available for both the standard track M.A. and the museum studies track.
To be eligible for the program students must have a GPA of 3.2 or higher. Students also must have completed 96 credits by the time they enter the accelerated M.A. program.
Students should apply before April 10th of their junior year. Students interested in applying must complete the UNH graduate studies application. Applications will include two letters of recommendation, a cover letter, a writing sample and a UNH transcript. GRE scores are NOT required. Students should also submit a cover letter and an endorsement from a member of the History Department directly to the graduate director, Professor David Bachrach at [email protected].
If you are interested in applying for the accelerated M.A. program, or would like additional information about the program, please contact Professor David Bachrach.