About the Department

The Department of History at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers programs leading to BA, MA, and PhD degrees. With its faculty of outstanding scholar-teachers, the Department offers a wide range of courses in American, European, Asian, African, and Latin American history, as well as in topical areas such as the history of religion, science, sports, and women. The strength of the department lies in the quality of instruction and scholarship offered by its faculty. About half of the current faculty have received distinguished teaching awards, and the faculty as a whole has authored or edited over a hundred books.

Several hundred Nebraska undergraduates either major or double-major in History, and a large number of students choose to minor in the field as well. The department also serves the undergraduate population at large, teaching thousands of students each semester both in survey courses and in upper-division specialized courses. Despite the size of its enrollments, the History Department takes pride in the fact that the overwhelming majority of its courses are taught by permanent faculty rather than by graduate students or part-time instructors.

History faculty work closely with other campus departments and interdisciplinary programs, including English, Anthropology, Political Science, Modern Languages, African and African American Studies, Latino and Latin American Studies, Native American Studies, Women's Studies, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Judaic Studies, 19th Century Studies, the Center for Great Plains Studies, the Humanities Center, and the program in Human Rights and Human Diversity. The Department sponsors or co-sponsors many visiting speakers, and every two years hosts the Carroll R. Pauley Symposium, a major event at which several significant scholars drawn from around the country present their work on a common theme.

A Career in History

History majors receive training in skills--careful research, critical analysis, and cogent writing--that make them attractive candidates for a wide range of employment opportunities. The history program is intended not only to provide knowledge for students who are pursuing careers in education, but also to give instruction that will aid those with professional interests in law, journalism, library, and museum work; in local, state, and national government; and in business where a knowledge of domestic and foreign affairs is particularly useful.

History majors have done internships with a wide variety of people and institutions, including the Nebraska State Historical Society, the ACLU, Nebraska state senators, United States senators, immigrant advocacy groups, and Disneyworld.

History graduates follow widely divergent career paths. Some of our more distinguished alumni include a professor at Harvard University, a reporter for Cable News Network, a National Geographic photographer, the director of admissions at Princeton University, a corporate lawyer in Japan, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, and the current Chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The Program

The main objective of the History curriculum is to broaden the cultural horizons and historical perspectives of its students. The program for majors is designed to develop that breadth of vision. Students take at least 32 credit hours of history courses, with distribution requirements structured to ensure that you will learn about the various cultures and periods of history. In addition, all majors take a seminar on historical methods.

Our graduate program is among the oldest in the country. The department offers M.A. and Ph.D. programs, and offers a highly personalized learning atmosphere, in which professors and students work closely together.

Resources

Special honors sections of the Western Civilization and American History survey courses are available for students admitted into the University Honors Program. Visiting faculty from the University of Hannover in Germany and other institutions frequently offer special topics courses. Phi Alpha Theta, the history honorary society, sponsors various talks, films, and other history related activities. The chief advisor sends a newsletter to majors every semester, providing information about special courses, visiting speakers, registration information, scholarships, and important deadlines.

Activities

UNL students have access to hundreds of activities and groups related to specific academic, social, cultural, or political interests. Involvement in any of these organizations builds leadership, communication, and organizational skills and helps you to make new friends with those who have similar interests. Phi Alpha Theta, the history honorary society, is open to all students who have taken at least 12 credit hours of history with a 3.2 GPA in those courses and a 3.0 GPA overall. Internships can be arranged for academic credit through the History Department's chief advisor.

High School Preparation

History majors must meet the entrance requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. We also strongly recommend preparation in a foreign language. Students who obtain scores of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement exams in American or European history will receive three hours of departmental credit for each exam.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The History Department annually awards the Ed Hirsch Scholarship to one or two upper-division history majors who have demonstrated academic excellence. The department also presents the Glenn Gray Memorial Award to the outstanding undergraduate of the year. Regrettably, the Department has no scholarships for first-year students.

You can be considered for any undergraduate scholarships--including those offered through the History Department--by completing the University's Application for Freshman Scholarships and returning it to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid by the deadline published on the application. If you are a transfer student, you should complete an Application for Transfer Student Scholarships and submit it by the published deadline on the application. Applications are available through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and most Nebraska high school and community college advising offices. (Note: Applying for admission is a criterion for scholarships consideration.)

To be considered for need-based federal and state financial assistance complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after January 1 of the year in which you are seeking aid as possible. Most federal and state aid is awarded on a first-come-first-served basis, so it is important to apply early and submit income tax information as soon after it is requested as possible. For information about financial assistance for graduate students, please click the link for Graduate Programs and look under "Fellowships and Assistantships."