Research and Investigate
Analyze evidence, uncover patterns, and turn information into insight.
- Historian
- Researcher / Marketing Analyst
- Archaeologist
- Genealogist
- Intelligence Specialist
What Do History Majors Study?
History majors study how people, ideas, and institutions change over time. You’ll learn historical methods like archival research, evaluating primary and secondary sources, and writing persuasive arguments. Courses often span regions and time periods, and many programs include seminars that build writing and research skills.
At Willamette, our courses emphasize discussion, collaboration, and long-term projects. Discuss the history of health, ancient civilizations like Rome, or local history in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. By the time you graduate, you’ll have a versatile set of skills you can apply to different fields.
What Skills Do You Learn?
By studying history, students develop skills such as:
- Critical Thinking. Analyze evidence, evaluate diverse viewpoints, and build persuasive, well-supported arguments.
- Writing and Communication. Craft clear arguments and convey complex ideas through papers, reports, and presentations.
- Cultural Awareness. Understand diverse perspectives by studying historical contexts and global cultures.
- Research and analysis. Evaluate primary sources, gather and synthesize evidence, and draw well-supported conclusions.
- Problem-Solving. Analyze complex questions through patterns, inconsistencies, and evidence gaps.
- Creative thinking. Develop interpretations and make connections across ideas and events.
- Time management. Plan and complete multiple projects under tight deadlines.
- Teamwork. Collaborate on research papers, projects, or presentations with a variety of backgrounds and specialties.
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Write and Communicate
Craft clear, persuasive stories and messages for diverse audiences.
- Writer
- Editor
- Journalist
- Content Creator
- Content Strategist
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Protect and Interpret the Past
Preserve, interpret, and share history through institutions and public work.
- Archivist
- Curator / Museum Curator
- Art / Artifact Conservator
- Cultural Resource Manager
- Historical Consultant
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Lead and Organize
Coordinate people, projects, and ideas to drive outcomes.
- Project Manager
- Human Resource Manager
- Labor Organizer
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Advocate and Advise
Apply perspective to policy, law, and public decision-making.
- Attorney
- Policy Analyst
- Caseworker
- Foreign Service Officer
Is a History Degree Worth It?
A history degree can be deeply rewarding, giving students the flexibility to apply their skills across a variety of industries and career paths. According to the Hamilton Project, history majors earn competitive lifetime incomes, with strong earning growth at higher career levels.
Pursuing a history degree is a great choice for those interested in graduate school and want a flexible major. Build transferable skills that stay with you regardless of your job title or career path.
Is History a Good Major?
If you enjoy reading, writing, and exploring different perspectives, a history degree is a great choice. Students who pursue a humanities degree, like history, consistently perform better on the GRE, LSAT, MCAT, and GMAT. History majors also experience a lower unemployment rate than the national average.
Students develop valuable skills like problem-solving and critical thinking, both qualities that employers value. They learn to find patterns, assess large amounts of information, conduct research, and defend viewpoints. It's a great major for students who are passionate about history, but also want to develop transferable skills.
Real-World Examples
Connect your classroom discussions and lectures to real-world applications. Willamette students have worked and interned in a variety of locations that show how versatile a history degree can be. Recent examples include:
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Internships
- Aurora Colony
- Bush House Museum
- City of Salem, Office of Historic Preservation
- Deepwood Museum & Gardens
- Geer Crest Century Farm
- Howard Gottlieb Archival Research Center
- National Academy of Public Administration ·
- Oregon State Archives
- Tahoe Heritage Foundation
- Tallac Historic Site
- The Oregon Black Pioneers
- Willamette Heritage Center
- Willamette University Archives and Special Collections
- Willamette Week
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Employers
- Americorps
- City of Salem
- Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation
- Manitou Springs Heritage Center
- Office of Management and Budget
- Office of Senator Jeff Merkley
- Oregon Department of Justice
- Oregon Governor’s Office
- Salem Keizer School District
- U.S. State Department
“Willamette prepared me very well for graduate school in terms of workload and work-life balance. The skill set I had built over a few years at Willamette made my Master’s program pretty easy to step into. I was very thankful for that.”
Aubrey Grace Means ‘15
Why Choose Willamette for History?
Take the