why history
Why History?
History majors and minors at Western are well-positioned for the job market. As a historian-in-training, you will learn to ask questions that matter. You will become a proficient communicator and researcher. You will develop skills to gather information independently, think and respond critically, and make thoughtful and accurate judgments, all while creating broad historical knowledge. As a prospective teacher educator, you will also develop as a creative problem solver able to overcome obstacles, master any responsibility, and lead with confidence.
Discover Our Programs
Programs Grid
Undergraduate Majors
We offer programs of study in History and Public History designed to specialize in many disciplines and career paths
Graduate Studies
Above all, graduate students in our programs go on to produce new scholarly research about the past that is beneficial to understanding our world
Pull quote
Our department is a community of faculty and students with a passion for the people and events, both the grand and the common, that have shaped the changes and continuities of the human experience through time. We strive to model and teach the skills of evidence-based research, critical thinking, and effective communication that are necessary for success as historians and citizens of our complex, information-rich world.
—Dr. David Benac, Chair-Dept of History
MLK Section Break
Student Resources
Student Resources
Student Award Winners
2024-25 Student Award Winners
Cassandra Kipp | Moira Cooper | Brayton Phillips | Ella Nelson |
Grace Green | Dean Wetzel | Samantha Garvin |
Jacob Walsh | Peter Noreen | Zachary Potter-Zimmerman |
Pluto Foucher
Pride points
91%
of College of Arts and Sciences graduates are working or continuing their education.
—2024-25 Career Outcomes Report
91%
of College of Arts and Sciences graduates working full time were satisfied with their job.
—2024-25 Career Outcomes Report
100%
of history graduates are working or continuing their education.
—2024-25 Career Outcomes Report
