Oklahoma City University
Department of History

OVERVIEW

The study of history is an ancient one, and one that is extremely modern. Far from being just a recitation of names of dead men and endless litanies of dates and wars, history is about people - how they lived, thought, felt, reacted, responded and yes, died. History is a great adventure, full of excitement and discovery. Historians explore the past, using different tools and teasing out the meanings and relationships of the past. Insights, events and processes in our daily lives might well trigger new ways to look at and research the past, adding to humanity's vast store of knowledge and understanding.

One of the most frequent questions history majors hear is "What can you do with a history degree? You're going to teach, right?" Well, yes, of course a history major might teach. But the skills history majors (and minors) learn in an undergraduate career provide them with a wide range of opportunities.

As preparation for graduate or professional schools, skills learned in the study of history at OCU provide students with the ability to synthesize and evaluate a wide range of information, and to communicate that information and their interpretation of their findings effectively and in a scholarly manner. This emphasis on writing and expository skills is invaluable preparation for many professional careers. History graduates have established successful careers in law, business, politics, diplomacy and foreign service, public service, publishing, museum and library work.

Business leaders routinely cite their need for (and appreciation of) employees with excellent communication skills, and this is something that OCU history majors develop as they complete their course work. History majors learn to research and interpret a wide variety of materials, from spreadsheets to immigration lists, from diaries to international treaties. In a world of globalizing economic markets and ever-expanding information networks and technologies, history provides its students with vital research and communication skills. History provides a more nuanced and contextual perspective that can enhance our understand of the world around us. The ability to identify, synthesize and evaluate diverse information is what sets historians apart from others.

CAREERS FOR HISTORY MAJORS

- Teaching (K-12 Certification)
- College teaching
- Public service
- Law
- Writing and research
- Editing and publishing
- Archives and museums
- Grant writing