Albert Einstein once said that a college education was not primarily about learning facts but about “training of the mind to think.” As a major, you will explore American history with primary sources and discover an appreciation for societies other than your own. The higher thinking skills we teach are transferable to a wide range of professions including teaching, law, government, the pursuit of research graduate degrees, and business management. An article in the Los Angeles Times shows that mid-career salaries of history majors are on par with those holding a business bachelor’s degree, and this does not include those who went on to law or graduate school.
Today everyone has access to more data than they can ever consume, but we will teach you how to critically evaluate the significance and utility of large amounts of information from contemporary sources and from the analyses of historians. You will also gain the confidence to conduct self-directed learning and define your own research questions and goals. As a history major, you will have the opportunity to produce a senior thesis project for your employment portfolio to demonstrate your ability to work with large amounts of information to formulate a focused historical question and an argument in response, and use relevant evidence to support that argument. Most importantly, you will be able to express and defend your argument orally and in writing. There is no employer who does not want someone with these skills. Come join our faculty who offer courses that explore the histories of the U.S., Europe, Latin America, East Asia, and Ancient Greece and Rome.
As a history major, I had countless opportunities to expand my thinking, collaborate with peers and explore new concepts. The amazing professors in this department provided me with the skills and the inspiration to follow my dream of becoming a history teacher.
In addition to the major and minor, multi-disciplinary minors are available in:
Sacred Heart University proudly recognizes our faculty for their scholarly achievement through their outstanding publishing efforts and industry experience.
History is the systematic, critical study of the past. It seeks to understand and explain the course of human development, that we may better comprehend the path that has led to the present, with the understanding that the present itself is inextricably linked to the past and future. Historians gather, evaluate, and organize evidence, creating a coherent explanatory narrative. The craft of history develops a variety of abilities, including research, critical thinking, problem-solving, and the clear presentation of ideas. These skills have general application to many fields of endeavor. In addition, the breadth of knowledge imparted by a major in history creates a cosmopolitan perspective much sought after in today's interconnected world.
The history classes I took at Sacred Heart taught me so much about content and skills but they also showed me what type of teacher I wanted to be. I look back at my time as a history major with so much joy and would love to be able to go to just one more class!
A history of western civilization class with Professor Bethany Wade
A history of western civilization class with Professor Bethany Wade
A history of western civilization class with Professor Bethany Wade
Medieval spices students used in a history of western civilization class
Students in a history of western civilization class working with a medieval cookbook alongside medieval spices
Students in a history of western civilization class working with a medieval cookbook alongside medieval spices
Students in a history of western civilization class working with a medieval cookbook alongside medieval spices
