Why Study History?
Learn valuable research and critical thinking skills that will provide a foundation for whichever career you choose.
Where Our Alumni Work
Studying history doesn’t limit you to becoming a historian. When you graduate, you’ll take sophisticated skills of analysis and judgment into a global marketplace. Our graduates know how to find information, how to organize many pieces of evidence, how to see the play of causes and interactions in events.
Our alumni work in a huge variety of occupations, drawing from an education that encouraged them to be inquisitive, thoughtful and adaptable. To give you an idea of where your degree can lead, here’s a list of job titles for some of our alumni:
- Archivist, North Carolina State Archives
- Graduate Student, Georgetown University
- Cultural Resource Manager, National Park Service
- Major, U.S. Army
- Equine Veterinarian
- Teacher, Alamance County Schools
- Curator, North Carolina Museum of History
- Director of Hospital Pharmacy Operations
- Advertising and Marketing Manager, Forbes Inc.
- Attorney, North Carolina Department of Commerce
- Editorial Assistant, Thomas Jefferson Foundation
- Business Analyst, GlaxoSmithKline
- Research Associate, University of Georgia
Small Classes, Big Opportunities
Our department is the ideal size for one-on-one learning and interaction. Our freshman classes are often 35 students, versus 400 at other schools. Advanced classes are even smaller.
Our professors will be there to guide, counsel and mentor you – inside and outside of class. Being a history student at NC State means taking part in a small-college experience at a large university. You have access to clubs, special events and all that NC State offers – but in a much more personal setting. It’s the best of both worlds.
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History and Law School: An Ideal Match
Relevant in a Changing World
The study of history specializes in change. It teaches us to appreciate how complex most situations really are. History students come to see how individual motives and perspectives combine with multiple influences in shaping the future. They appreciate how unpredictable the future may be, given unexpected and unintended consequences. In a changing world, the understanding of change is ever more relevant. History sharpens our hindsight, which must be clear if we expect to wisely judge current challenges and issues.
When you study history at NC State, you’ll learn from an innovative, diverse group of faculty members dedicated to providing a superior education. Read about the differences our faculty and students are making, and imagine what you could do here.