History
Professionals in this field research, interpret, and communicate knowledge about past events. They solve problems related to historical accuracy, cultural understanding, and archival preservation. Work settings include academia, museums, government, and research institutions, with a mix of independent study and public engagement.
Common Job Titles: Archival Researcher Cultural Resource Specialist Historian History Teacher Museum Researcher
Related Academic Programs
What can you do with an English degree? Everything! It is among the most versatile of college degrees.
With the B.A. in English from Penn State Behrend, you’ll learn to reason critically, write cogently, construct and deconstruct ideas and arguments, and verbalize opinions and judgments—meaning you’ll develop a diverse set of skills that will prepare you for almost any career field.
Penn State Behrend offers the innovative interdisciplinary-based Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ENTI) minor to students in any major.
The minor equips students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset; think critically and “outside the box” to sense opportunities; develop value propositions; and create sustainable value in fast-paced socio-technological environments. The minor at Penn State Behrend currently offers the New Ventures Cluster, although additional clusters will be made available.
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences offers an interdisciplinary German Studies Certificate (GERSC BC) available to all Penn State Behrend students. The German Studies Certificate, which requires 16-17 credits, may serve as a “bridge” to Penn State’s German Minor.
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences offers an interdisciplinary Global Awareness Certificate (GLBLBC). Open to all Penn State Behrend students, the 12-credit certificate program equips students to deal more effectively with the globalizing world in which they will live and work.
The 18-credit History minor is designed to complement a wide range of social studies and humanities majors by affording students the opportunity to examine change and development in human societies over time. Students are free to select courses in the topics, geographical areas, and time periods that most suit their needs and interests.
At the heart of our History major is the idea that stories—those of individuals, communities, and societies—matter. In exploring these stories, you’ll gain an understanding of how and why the past has shaped the present and build a foundation for becoming an engaged, empathic citizen in a global society.
With Penn State Behrend’s B.A. in History, you’ll develop expertise in research, critical analysis, documentation and writing, cultural awareness, and effective communication—precisely the competencies that employers want in new hires and those necessary to advance in leadership and executive positions.
The 18-credit minor in Latin American Studies offers students in any degree program the opportunity to enhance their education with a foundation of knowledge about Latin America. The program explores disciplines like history, political science, and anthropology, examining them through the lens of Latin American experiences.
This minor can provide an essential knowledge base for students interested in pursuing careers with global companies or organizations, or for students interested in pursuing graduate studies.
The Latin American Studies minor might also be of particular interest to students interested in a study-abroad experience.
Penn State Behrend has forty-plus degree programs. But if one isn’t the perfect fit for you, you can plan your own path with the B.A. in General Arts and Sciences.
As Penn State’s most flexible degree program, the B.A. in General Arts and Sciences is a choose-your-own-adventure major. You’ll work closely with advisers to assemble a curriculum that meets your personal interests and career goals.
If the workings and interactions of state, national, and international governments fascinate you, consider pursuing a degree in political science.
Behrend’s B.A. in Political Science emphasizes the development of key intellectual skills, ingraining the habits of questioning, debating, challenging, and shaping persuasive arguments. You’ll be expected to master effective writing, speaking, and reasoning skills—all of which will make you a desirable candidate to any number of employers.
This 18-credit Politics and Government minor allows students to develop research, writing and analytical skills in the many related fields in the study of politics, such as American Government, Public Policy and Administration, Comparative Politics or International Relations.
Because the policy making process and the processes of globalization affect us in virtually all areas of our lives, the minor is appropriate for supporting the study of any major. Similarly, the minor provides an invaluable understanding of the political world that is useful in any career that has an impact on or is affected by public life.
With the 18-credit Politics and Public Policy minor, students can develop a deep understanding of how the policies that affect our daily lives are formulated, funded, and implemented. The minor explores the political and governmental processes behind these decisions, and gives students a framework for how to analyze the impact and effectiveness of those policies.
This minor is useful to students pursuing any number of degree programs, giving them a background to bring expertise to their chosen major—particularly in how their field intersects with government regulation.
This 18-credit Trauma Studies certificate offered at Penn State Behrend provides the core information and competencies for students interested in pursuing research and applied experiences in trauma studies. The certificate is open to all majors; students will be provided with an interdisciplinary understanding of the psychological, historical, sociocultural, political, and physiological aspects of the effects of trauma. It will also provide students a greater understanding of the unique economic, occupational, physical, medical, and interpersonal needs of those recovering from trauma.
Women’s Studies & Gender Studies (WMNST) at Penn State Behrend asks students to think about the impact of gender in their lives and to interpret both their own experiences and social expectations. The WMNST minor is interdisciplinary; students take courses in a variety of fields, including communication, history, literature, political science, psychology, and more.
To obtain a minor in Women’s Studies, students are required to complete 18 credits of coursework, 6 prescribed and 12 supporting. The supporting credits, which students choose from a program-approved list, must include at least 3 credits each in arts and humanities and natural or social sciences, and 3 credits focusing on non-Western women or on women of color in the United States. A total of 6 credits must be at the 400 level.
When students complete the minor requirements, they receive a certificate, and the minor is noted on their official transcript.