What is MTSU History All About?

We create, preserve, and disseminate historical knowledge to produce conscientious and logic-driven thinkers, workers, and voters.

Hear What Our Students Have to Say About Our Programs

What Can You Do With A History Degree?

Just ask our current alumni, who hold jobs as university professors, archivists, museum directors and curators, attorneys, school principals, software engineers, park rangers, COOs, college presidents, small business owners, athletic directors, consultants, analysts, managers, teachers, bankers, sales reps, and even an eSports franchise owner.

Yes, you can do anything with a History degree! Its versatility comes from the real-world skills we instill in our students: how to analyze and evaluate data from multiple sources, how to formulate and test hypotheses, how to empathize and work well with others, and how to communicate persuasively. These skills are the key to moving up the ladder in any profession.

How We Help Our Students

Degrees We Offer

Six undergraduate degree programs:

• B.A. in History
• B.A. in History, Public History Concentration
• B.A. in History, Teacher Licensure*
• B.S. in History
• B.S. in History, Public History Concentration
• B.S. in History, Teacher Ticensure*

The Department is also a coordinating partner with MTSU’s Africana Studies minor, which teaches the history and culture of people of African descent throughout the diaspora, race relations, and socio-economic/political institutions.

*The teacher licensure program, in coordination with the MTSU College of Education, allows students to earn a Tennessee license to teach history in grades 6-12.

Four graduate degree programs:

• M.A. in History
• M.A. in History, Public History Concentration
• M.A. in History, History Education Concentration
• Ph.D. in Public History*

*Public History focuses on public engagement with the past, in spaces such as National Parks, museums, archives, and community programs (just to name a few). MTSU was one of the first universities to offer a public history program and is a nationally-recognized leader in the field.

What Kind of Classes Can I Take?

Thanks to a large faculty with diverse expertise, students can take classes in almost every time period and region. We offer classes from Ancient China and Egypt to the Soviet Union and the American South. Students can also take classes in cultural, religious, military, and digital history. Whatever your interests, we probably have a class perfect for you! We also offer guided readings and special projects classes where you can work one-on-one with a professor to take a deep dive into the history you love. 

Check out the course catalog to explore all the courses we offer!