History Programs at The W

Understanding the Past, Impacting the Future

Students on field trip at the War Memorial Building in Jackson, Miss.

Why History?

History prepares you to engage a changing world. History is the perfect major for the student who seeks to explore broad interests and who has an inquiring mind.

Research, Internships, Study Abroad, and More!

History majors engage in original research through the Capstone course offered in the senior year. Whether it is interviewing the women who desegregated the university or working at The W archives, you will gain significant research experience. Working in small classes and with one-on-one faculty contact, you will do history, not just study history. History includes opportunities to complete study abroad and internship experiences at local, state, and national museums and archives.

Students on field trip at the Moundville Archeological Site in Moundville, Ala.
Student reading in archives

Career Options

History has the traditional goals of a liberal arts program: to help students to read, write, and think effectively and independently. A history major is not only for those who want to become professional historians; many history majors become teachers, journalists, researchers, lawyers, just to name a few. Along with secondary teacher certification, W history majors may choose to get a public history concentration.

Mary Lou Peyton History Scholarships

The Mary Lou Peyton Scholarships provide history students with the resources to enhance their studies at The W through awards for tuition, study abroad, and internships. The scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to incoming freshmen or transfer students. Awards of up to $10,000 per year help history majors with education-related expenses and are renewable for up to four years. Additionally, awards of up to $5,000 help history students with expenses related to study abroad and internship opportunities.

Peyton History Scholarships

History Majors & Concentrations

https://www.muw.edu/hpg/History,%20BA
History is the perfect major for the student who seeks to explore broad interests and who has an inquiring mind.
https://www.muw.edu/hpg/History,%20BA%20-%20Public%20History
Interested in helping the public better understand the historical significance of the world around them? A history major with a concentration in Public History might be right for you.
https://www.muw.edu/hpg/History,%20BA%20-%20Teacher%20Certification
We offer excellent preparation for teaching history and social studies at the secondary (7-12) level.

Additional Opportunities

https://www.muw.edu/hpg/Study%20Abroad
History majors can apply for a Peyton Study Abroad Scholarship to cover the cost of traveling to another country.
https://www.muw.edu/hpg/Internships%20in%20History
History majors can apply for a Peyton Internship Scholarship to help cover the cost of taking an internship anywhere in the nation.
https://www.muw.edu/hpg/History%20Student%20Organizations
The W offers several co-curricular organizations for students interested in history.
https://www.muw.edu/hpg/Careers%20in%20History
History majors find that the independence of mind, critical thinking, research skills, and communication skills fostered by majoring in history apply to a number of careers.

Our Minors

Close up of a hand placing a pin in a map

The Department of History, Political Science, and Geography offers nine minors for you to choose from. Expand your studies with American Studies or Pre-Law courses. In the community or around the world, you can find the perfect minor that fits your interests.

Our Minors