Social Sciences

History—BA

Unravel the Riddles of the Past to Create a Better Tomorrow

Curious how our world has been shaped by choices made in the past? A Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Michigan Tech could be key to unlocking your future.

This degree program blends history with specialized subjects for an excellent liberal arts education. Think of history as society’s collective memory. Like an individual requires an accurate memory to function effectively, a society must maintain an accurate collective memory to thrive.

By investigating and learning about the past, you help impact the future. With a Bachelor’s of Arts in History, you lay the foundation for a variety of careers in law, government service, libraries and museums, education, the creative industries like film, television, and publishing, and for information-gathering positions in businesses and non-profit organizations.

Social Sciences is also the proud host of the annual Michigan History Day district 1 competition each year in late Feb. or early March.

A Technological Approach to History You Can Only Get at Michigan Tech

Michigan Tech adds an additional dimension to your studies. You will explore the rich tapestry of human settlements and economic growth through a digital lens. Utilizing data visualization and analytics, you’ll uncover patterns and connections within historical events, shedding new light on past narratives. You’ll build analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills essential for assessing historical sources and interpreting historical narratives. You’ll delve into physical and digital archives, collaborate with experts from various fields, and explore cultural preservation using innovative techniques. This unique amalgamation empowers history enthusiasts to contribute meaningfully to preserving and disseminating our shared human heritage.

Take courses you're most passionate about in anthropology, archaeology, history/sociology, and the environment. Other electives and the University’s general education program, allows you to pursue interests in other areas like business, communications, or the arts, too.

Passionate Pursuits: Pave Your Own Pathway to the Past

Our curriculum is adaptable to your interests. Choose a general area of historical focus and study what you're most passionate about, such as American or European history, the history of technology, environmental history, or patterns of industrialization and deindustrialization.

Learn about patterns of change over time in three general areas: US history, European history, and global history. In addition, select more specific history courses within general categories and examine your area of interest from other disciplinary perspectives. As a capstone project, choose between a thesis or to research two questions of a historical nature and summarize your findings in essays written as class assignments. 

Other electives and Tech’s general education program allows you to pursue interests in other areas like business, communications, or the arts.

Why Study History?

Peter N. Stearns, former editor-in-chief of The Journal of Social History, explains a number of reasons to pursue the field of history in his article “Why Study History” from the American Historical Association.

  • History helps us understand people and societies.
  • Understand the importance of history in our own lives.
  • History contributes to moral understanding.
  • History provides identity.

Degree Courses

A Master’s Degree in Your Plans?

Earn an Accelerated MS degree in Industrial Heritage and Archaeology. You can do it in just one additional year at Michigan Tech with your BA in History.

  • 4+
    faculty-led study away programs
  • 7
    minors to pair with your degree
  • 90%
    undergraduates involved in research

Tomorrow Needs History Experts

Studying history prepares you to adapt to an ever-changing world. By understanding the past you can link the challenges of today to impactful solutions. You will be ready to tackle all kinds of complex ethical and historical questions that require attention like climate change, social justice, immigration, and society’s development. Or be ready to analyze data and tell pertinent stories in business.

Career Opportunities for History Majors

You don’t need the word ‘historian’ in your job title to apply what you know. By studying the past you’ll build in-demand skills for many future career paths, like:

  • Archivist
  • Community Organizer
  • Curator
  • Dramaturge
  • Editor
  • Educator
  • Executive Officer, US Army
  • Genealogist
  • Historian
  • Historic Preservationist
  • Journalist
  • Law Firm Administrator
  • Librarian
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Marketing Coordinator/Specialist/Manager
  • Paralegal
  • Patent Attorney
  • Policy Analyst
  • Public Affairs Specialist
  • Research Analyst
  • Strategic Intelligence Officer
  • Teacher
  • Writer

Companies Hiring Michigan Tech History Majors

These are just some of the companies hiring history majors:

  • Amazon
  • Apple
  • Citicorp
  • Exelon
  • Discover Financial Services
  • Ford Foundation
  • Lucasfilm
  • Michigan Department of State
  • Microsoft
  • Morgan Stanley
  • National Park Service
  • Tesla
  • US Department of State

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying history at Michigan's flagship technological university.

Watch Michigan Tech History Major video
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"The faculty made me feel like this is some place that actually cares about their students. And also the environment up here, whether it’s the campus or the Keweenaw in general, it’s something that is just amazing."Will Fiedler ‘22, BA History

Study History at a Technological University

Studying history at a technological university opens doors to a wide range of career opportunities. Graduates with a comprehensive understanding of historical contexts and proficiency in modern technologies are sought after in many industries. Fields such as digital humanities, cultural heritage preservation, museum curation, and historical data analysis offer exciting prospects. Moreover, in a world where information is rapidly disseminated, history professionals play a crucial role in promoting accurate and well-researched narratives. By studying history at a technological university, students can merge the past and the present, building a future that values and learns from the lessons of history.

  • Get personalized attention: With a student:faculty ratio of 4:1, our smaller department ensures your academic advisors and professors know you and understand your interests and needs. You can receive the guidance you need in a timely fashion. They can better help pair you with research, internship, and job opportunities that meet your needs and provide valuable experience.
  • Customize your anthropology education: Tailor your degree to fit your individual pathway. At Michigan Tech, our programs span anthropology, history, policy and community development, social science, and sustainability science and society. That interdisciplinary approach gives you exposure to different areas of the social sciences. Choose from 7 different minors in the department (American Studies, Global Community Development Partnerships, Global Studies, Historical Studies, Law and Society, Social and Behavioral Studies, and Sustainable Science and Society), or add any one of 80+ minors across the university.  
  • Study Abroad: Take part in one of our faculty-led study away/abroad programs. Study sustainability in Costa Rica or the Western USA via Amtrak.
  • Jumpstart Your Career: You'll complete at least one capstone co-op, internship, or research project to deepen your learning and build your resume. Position yourself for many impactful jobs with a certificate in public policy. Get a master's in just one additional year in environmental and energy policy and boost your earnings potential and employment options.
  • Dive Into Discovery: Do undergraduate research. Research is the best way to understand how human behavior is organized, how people make collective choices, and how social structures and daily practices change over time. You’ll work alongside Michigan Tech faculty and researchers conducting research to help communities and policy makers make informed choices in environmental and energy policy and industrial heritage. Study the diverse cultural heritage of copper mining in the Keweenaw, analyze the development of labor markets or public education choices, analyze migration patterns, 

Undergraduate Majors in Social Sciences

Not sure which major is the right fit? No problem.
Just declare the General Sciences and Arts major, give yourself time, and decide when you arrive on campus.
To learn more speak to an academic advisor.

Undergraduate Minors

Enhance your knowledge beyond your field of study. Explore a passion outside your major. Students from all majors can add a minor in the Social Sciences. To learn more, speak to an academic advisor.

  • American Studies
  • Global Community Development Partnerships
  • Global Studies
  • Historical Studies
  • Law and Society
  • Social and Behavioral Studies
  • Sustainability Science and Society

Tomorrow Needs You

Supercharge your history skills at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for navigating complex historical sources and interpreting information with precision. 

"Up here the world seems a lot smaller. And it makes it really easy to practice history. Lots of old mining operations, even military operations are up here that you can study and learn about."Ben Imig ‘24, BA History