History, B.A.

Uncover the secrets of the human experience.

History students at Lewis learn to identify and analyze challenges and changes in how humans have organized and understood the world they inhabit – politically, economically, culturally, religiously, philosophically, scientifically and socially. Upon completion of the History degree, students will have mastered the skills that employers look for – written and verbal communication, problem-solving, and critical analysis.

Excellent Complement for Various Career Paths and Graduate Programs

• Pre-Law – The American Bar Association recommends a study of history as an excellent preparation for graduate study in law, and many Lewis students have gone on the successful careers in the field.
• Journalism – Many top schools of journalism require students to double major in subjects such as history, political science, sociology or psychology.
• Business – History is an especially appropriate pairing with degrees in international business, marketing and management. The ongoing shifts in the global economy and job market require broad knowledge and ability to think critically – both obtained with a degree in History. See also History minor for College of Business majors.

High School Teaching Licensure Option

Students may work towards the Professional Educator License to teach History to grades 9-12 in Illinois public and private schools. Students must declare majors in both History and Secondary Education. The History for High School Teaching Licensure program is fully approved by the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board and the Illinois State Board of Education.

Concentration in Public History Available

Public historians provide a great service to society through the study and preservation of heritage. History majors who plan to enroll in a graduate program in Public History or wish to pursue a career in local history museums and government archives are strongly encouraged to declare a concentration in Public History.

Apply Historical Concepts to 21st Century Job Markets

Lewis offers a new Computer Science + History (CS+History) degree program in which students learn to design, build and apply the tools and concepts of computer science to convey lessons of history to diverse audiences. Graduates of the program will be able to build and manage digital archives, create innovative ways to represent and interpret historical events, and much more.

Sample Courses:

• United States Colonial and National History
• A History of the U.S. Military
• The American Presidency
• Native American History
• History of the British Empire
• History of Ireland
• Germany: From Bismarck to Hitler
• France and Spain
• Russia: Ancient Times to the Present
• Public History

Career Options:

• Lawyer
• Journalist
• Librarian
• Teacher
• Economist
• Museum Curator
• Researcher
• Public Policy and Politics
• CIA/State Department Services

On Campus Opportunities

• History Honors Society

Admission Requirements

Please refer to the Office of Admission for application requirements and specific next steps.

Related Programs

• Secondary Education, B.A.
• Computer Science + History, B.A.

Testimonials

Ana Trujillo (Class of '19)

Chicago-Kent College of Law

"I started my college career as a wide eyed, naïve and enthusiastic student. I was ready to take on whatever college threw at me. Little did I know what it had in store for me. I was a double History and Sociology Major during my time at Lewis, and I can definitively say that these two programs were monumental to helping me grow into the person I am today." More...

Testimonials

Richard Maska (Class of '16)

Graduate Student in History

"I am indebted to Lewis’s fantastic roster of professors whose guidance as assistance gave me the opportunity to establish myself as a viable candidate for postgraduate studies." More...

Testimonials

Miguel Silva (Class of '17)

Social Studies Teacher

"The relationships I developed with my professors, the intensive amount of content knowledge they demanded, and the basic skills that I acquired are the reasons why I will forever be in debt to Lewis University’s history department." More...

Testimonials

Adrienne Gonzales (Class of '15)

Commercial Insurance

"Being able to properly research, write effectively, work hard, have a keen eye for detail, and speak confidently with your coworkers and clients are skills you can take anywhere. History also helps you to be more grounded in the world around you." More...

Testimonials

Kole Torres (Class of '17)

Masters Student in Education

"I believe that the skills I acquired through my internships give me a competitive edge. My internships provided mentorship, networking, and deepened my knowledge in Public History. These experiences have confirmed my passion to pursue a career in Museum Studies." More...

Testimonials

Melissa Churchill Lara (Class of '17)

Military Intelligence Officer - US Army

"Studying history at Lewis shaped my ability to connect cause and effect relationships from the past into meaningful data...I developed analytical skills throughout my history classes that I am able to apply everyday towards my career as an Army Office." More...

Testimonials

Lee Walby (Class of '16)

Pilot, Army National Guard

"Having been a history major at Lewis has been highly beneficial to me. Not only have I learned about history but I have developed the skills to understand and process large amounts of information. I apply these skills to all aspects of my life and these skills are very useful in any career field."

Testimonials

Luke Kramarz (Class of '14)

US Army

Luke has served with the US Army in Kosovo Peace Keeping Mission. More...

Testimonials

Tyson Polack (Class of '15)

Commercial Services Manager

"I believe that my studies and experiences at Lewis University got to where I am today. While earning a history degree to pursue a career in business may seem unconventional, in actuality it has given me a leg up. The writing and research skills I learned in the History program at Lewis has set me apart from my peers." More...

Testimonials

Taylor Cochrane (Class of '17)

Freshman World Affairs Teacher at Joliet Central High School

"I took away so much from the classes and the professors themselves that helped me be the teacher that I am today." More...

Testimonials

Tara Cochran (Class of '17)

US History 7th grade at Troy Middle School

"My time at Lewis in the History Department was full of valuable experiences. At Lewis, with the guidance of incredibly helpful professors, I was able to deepen my research skills and learn how to analyze historical events from various viewpoints. Because I was able to work on these skills at Lewis, I feel confident enough to pass them down to my students."

Testimonials

Brittany Russell (Class of '17)

Special Education/ESL teacher at Plano High School

"The professors and advisors truly care about the well-being of every student. The professors are willing to provide the students with one-on-one time if needed as well as mentor students through their chosen majors." More...