What Can You Do with a History Major?
Law, teaching, museums, libraries, and entrepreneurship—these are just a few of the careers our history majors have pursued after graduating from our program. Really, the better question might be what can’t you do with a history major from the University of Baltimore.
History majors develop a diverse set of skills that they can put to use on the job market, including information literacy, research, writing, and analysis. Employers in law, business, government, and non-profit organizations are looking for these skills now more than ever, because they can’t be easily automated or outsourced.
Some of our majors use their history degrees as springboards to law school or graduate school in education or library science. Others go directly into the job market with their history B.A.’s. Either way, as you acquire the historical tools and methods, you’ll learn how to think critically, be a more engaged citizen and understand local, national and world affairs.
Career Success Story
“My history professors have been some of my biggest influences as an educator and constantly challenged me to consider and understand perspectives outside of my own, a skill that has taken me farther than I could have ever imagined, and for that, I’ll be forever grateful.”
–D. Watkins, B.A. ’09, M.F.A. '14, bestselling author of The Beast Side and We Speak For Ourselves
Read more history alumni career success stories.
Concentrate your studies by taking a cluster of courses.
Interested in a particular period or field of history? These clusters allow you to take multiple courses in the area that interests you.
African American History
- HIST 204: African American History to 1865
- HIST 205: African American History since 1865
- HIST 240: Everyday Lives—History of Popular Music
- HIST 364: Civil Rights in U.S. History
- HIST 381: American Cities
- HIST 382: History of Baltimore
Asian History
- HIST 324: Modern China
- HIST 326: Modern Japan
- HIST 328: Modern Korea
European History
- HIST 310: Ancient Civilizations
- HIST 312: Age of Revolutions
- HIST 313: Europe, 1815-1914
- HIST 314: Europe, 1914-1945
- HIST 315: Europe since 1945
- HIST 390: Film and History—Legal Battles on the Screen
Law in History
- HIST 325: Prisons and Police in U.S. History
- HIST 330: Immigration and Law in U.S. History
- HIST 331: English Law to 1689
- HIST 340: American Legal History
- HIST 364: Civil Rights in U.S. History
- HIST 390: Film and History—Legal Battles on the Screen
- HIST 434: American Constitutional History
- HIST 440: History of Common Law
- HIST 484: Great Trials
Public History
- HIST 380: The Chesapeake World
- HIST 382: History of Baltimore
- HIST 396: Introduction to Public History
- HIST 490: Internship
- HIST 496: Seminar in Public History
In addition, you can choose a public history specialization, which combines standard history coursework with an internship and courses in public history and other majors so that you gain practical experience in a variety of professional settings where historians work, including:
- museums
- archives
- government
- historical societies
- living history sites
- preservation groups
- businesses
- nonprofit organizations of all kinds.
Minor in history.
Not a history major but still interested in studying history? You can earn a history minor in 15 credits. Learn more about the history minor requirements.
Hear From a History Major
"My reading, writing and analytical thinking skills have flourished as a result of my studies. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to get students involved in history by organizing guest speaker events and local field trips to historic sites as president of UBalt's History Club. My advice for anyone pursuing a degree in history is to seek connections with people with similar historical interests and keep in touch with them. Building a network will help you visualize the numerous possibilities that a history degree can unlock."
-Lexzander Nebel Ernst, history major
Read "What You Need to Know About Becoming a History Major".
Video: Why you should consider majoring in History at The University of Baltimore
Watch this short webinar with program director Joshua Davis to learn more about what The University of Baltimore's History program offers and what you can do with a history degree.
Academic Options
Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's
The University of Baltimore offers an accelerated option that lets you take up to 9 graduate credits that "double count" toward both your B.A. in History and the M.A. in Legal Studies—saving you time and money! Get a head start on your graduate degree while saving up to $9,000.
Helen P. Denit Honors Program
As a Helen P. Denit Honors scholar, you'll become a vital part of a University-wide community of thinkers, doers, strivers, motivators and leaders. There is no single honors curriculum—at UBalt, you can customize your academic experience through your selection of honors and enhanced courses.
Law School Early Entry Option
Earn both your undergraduate and law degrees in a minimum of five years through the Law School Early Entry Option to the UBalt School of Law. Learn more about the Law School Early Entry requirements for the History program.
Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society
Learn how you can qualify to join UBalt's Tau Mu chapter of the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society.
Contact Us
Joshua Clark Davis
program director
email: jdavis@ubalt.edu | phone: 410.837.5978
view Prof. Davis' faculty profile
Deidre Ferron
academic adviser
email: dferron@ubalt.edu | phone: 410.837.5023
Kelly Venable
academic adviser
email: kvenable@ubalt.edu | phone: 410.837.1929
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For more information about undergraduate admission, please contact the Office of Admission at admission@ubalt.edu or 1.877.ApplyUB.