About

History is a highly versatile major. Appalachian’s history students develop valuable analytical skills that they take with them into many careers, and their experience in evaluating ideas and information, examining and interpreting evidence and developing a world view helps them become expert decision-makers. They’re also cool people to talk with because they can speak on many different topics.

Appalachian State University’s History (BA) degree is the most traditional of history degrees offered at Appalachian.  It requires a language component, which increases opportunities for work with other cultures. It also requires a minor, adding flexibility for tailoring the degree to your interests. This is an ideal degree for students interested in applying to law school.

Classes in Appalachian’s Department of History are taught by well-published professional historians who are dedicated to preparing students for life and careers in the 21st century. They welcome students who desire opportunities to conduct research with them and attend or present at conferences.

After Graduation

Employment: Graduates work in business, government, museums and historical sites, archives, cultural resource management, journalism, public service, cultural tourism, and other career paths.

Graduate School: Many graduates have pursued professional degrees in law, medicine, seminary, museum studies, library science, economics, political science, and other fields.

Career Exploration Website

People

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  Alumnus Profile: Brad Wilson ’75

  “Why Appalachian for history? For the same reasons they should consider Appalachian for any course of study. Outstanding faculty who truly care and are engaged with their students. A nurturing, challenging, friendly academic environment. A place where academics, the arts and athletics are in balance; where excellence is valued.”

  – Brad Wilson ’75, president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

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  Faculty Profile: Dr. Michael Turner

  For this professor of British History, sparking curiosity among students is one of his top priorities. Once students are curious, class becomes “magical,” he says.

  Meet more faculty

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  Alumnus Profile: Salvador Salinas ’03

  “I learned to dream big while at Appalachian… I thought I would never be accepted into Oxford, but professors like Dr. Bortz insisted that I apply to the elite schools.”

  – Salvador Salinas ’03, now assistant professor of Latin American history at the University of Houston-Downtown

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  Faculty Profile: Dr. Judkin Browning and Dr. Timothy Silver

  The two history professors co-authored the book “An Environmental History of the Civil War” — a work that goes beyond discussing terrain and weather patterns to examine the large-scale modifications of the landscape and how the conflict sparked new thinking about Americans’ relationship to the natural world.

Related Programs

• History (BS) - Applied and Public History
• History (BS) - Multidisciplinary
• History/Social Studies Education (BS)

Minors

A minor is required. Many students choose Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science or another discipline within the humanities.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

History Club – This student club stimulates interest in history, promotes a closer association of students and faculty, and provides a common meeting ground for all those interested in history.

Phi Alpha Theta – An honors society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

The Department of History offers three regularly scheduled faculty-led, short-term summer study abroad programs:

• Ireland/Spain - “Religious and Ethnic Conflict in Western Europe: Ireland and Spain,” every other year
• Germany, Poland or Israel - “The Holocaust: History, Memory and the Politics of Representation,” every other year with support from the Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies
• United Kingdom - “Postindustrial Wales,” on demand