History (BA)

Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in History at Indiana State?

Explore the past, present, and future, and learn to appreciate the unity and diversity of the human experience at Indiana State University.

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Study the Past to Understand the Present

Historians develop critical thinking and analytical skills to understand change, especially with an eye toward understanding how the past has shaped the present. The history program at Indiana State provides students an array of hands-on experiences, including undergraduate research, study abroad, field studies, and opportunities to attend and present at scholarly conferences.

Learn from Our Excellent Faculty

Instructors in the Department of History are passionate teachers and researchers with practical experience in the United States and around the world. They are committed to helping you excel academically as you discover and explore your own historical interests. Small class sizes allow you to work one-on-one with your professors and collaboratively with classmates.

Faculty often lead field trips to museums and cultural sites of interest, both nearby and as study-abroad excursions to global destinations. Thanks to the Indiana State Advantage and generous alumni support, a wide array of experiences is available each year.

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What You'll Learn in the History Program

The BA in History introduces you to a variety of ways to approach knowledge across the Humanities and Social Sciences. You can take courses on world regions from the United States to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. We also offer thematic courses on a wide variety of subjects including labor studies, environmental history, social and cultural history, emerging technologies, public history, and much more. You can complete our Bachelor of Arts in History degree in four years of full-time study and will have great flexibility in choosing your course of study.

We partner with many local institutions to provide support and hands-on experience for students, including the Vigo County History Center, the Eugene V. Debs Foundation, and CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center. Students interested in the application of history in public settings, including archives, libraries, museums, national parks, memorials, and landmarks may choose to add a Museum Studies minor.

Transfer Credit

Indiana State University accepts credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities within the United States, and from selected schools located outside the United States. Credit also may be granted for military training and experience. Previously earned college credit can be applied toward completion of the program per Indiana State's transfer guidelines.

Transfer Guidelines

Career Possibilities for History Majors

Our BA degree in History provides you with a flexible set of skills vital for a long, successful, and dynamic career. Many businesses and organizations hire History majors for their analytical, intellectual, and communication skills.

Graduates are well prepared to work in a variety of settings, including business, government agencies, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, museums and interpretive centers, media organizations, and libraries. Many also choose to continue into graduate studies to pursue careers in law, government, or advanced research. We have a network of alumni working in numerous fields who will help you transition to a fulfilling career using your History degree.

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A Passion for History, Political Science, and Law

"Indiana State is a good place to find opportunities and discover your niches. My academic programs are small, so I'm able to know my classmates really well. We work together. We don't compete against each other. We have the same goals, and we cheer each other on."

Kaleigh Weidman is triple-majoring in history, political science, and legal studies. Outside of her studies, she has founded the nonprofit organization Our Time for Change to support civic education, and she is active in Indiana State's Honors College, Student Government Association, Gamma Phi Beta, and other campus groups. With her academic journey guiding her toward law school, Weidman is already making a difference on campus, in the local community, and beyond.

Learn Kaleigh Weidman's story.