Why Major in History?

A history major at The George Washington University has a range of options and opportunities.  There is probably no better city in the United States in which to study history than Washington, D.C.  History is literally made here, sometimes in front of your own eyes. Many of our courses make field trips to places such as the Museum of American History, the National Gallery of Art, or the Folger Shakespeare Library.

The study of history offers many rewards. Our faculty is one of the best in the university and several members of our department have received teaching awards. We have a curriculum for undergraduates that encourages students to learn about different regions, topics and approaches to history. A history major will develop abilities that are highly valued in all professional careers: strong writing skills, critical thinking, and research techniques. Each major has an opportunity to participate in a research seminar that puts the student in touch with the extraordinary abundance of historical documents available in Washington, such as the Library of Congress (one of world's greatest libraries), and the National Archives.

The study of history as a major provides students with a variety of skills and employment opportunities in diverse fields. Majors are well-equipped to flourish in and contribute to our ever more global society, since history requires its students to open their eyes to divergent beliefs and practices throughout time and space. Possessing practical skills and cosmopolitan outlooks, GW history majors have gone on to work successfully in diverse fields, including law, government, business, education, and medicine. Some have gone on to teach in colleges after further study of history in graduate schools. Take advantage of being in the nation's capital to learn about the nation's past as a history major at The George Washington University.