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Appalachian State University

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History (BA)

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

  • Alumnus Profile: Brad Wilson ’75
    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

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. Michael Turner
    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

  • Alumnus Profile: Salvador Salinas ’03
    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

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

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide
  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

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
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Why Appalachian?

  • The Department of History offers a broad curriculum in local, national, regional and world history which encourages history majors to develop a comparative approach to human problems.
  • The campus library’s W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection and British Studies collection are valuable resources for history majors.
  • A web-based, undergraduate journal of historical research, called History Matters, is published annually by the Department of History. It is edited by undergraduates with the help of a faculty board.
  • Classes in the Department of History are small and faculty members give individualized attention to students.
  • The department has more than 30 tenured faculty members.

Location

Boone and Hickory*

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

  • Archivist
  • Biographer
  • Editor
  • Genealogist
  • Historian
  • Historic Preservation Specialist
  • Historic Site Tour Guide
  • Historical Society Staff Member
  • Media Consultant
  • Museum Curator
  • Museum Technicians & Specialist
  • Research Assistant
  • Writer/Author

View more career possibilities

Contacts

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of History

Jonathan Billheimer
Faculty member
billheimerjd@appstate.edu

  • Department of History

    The Department of History offers a broad curriculum in local, national, regional and world history at both the undergraduate and graduate level, which encourages history majors to develop a comparative approach to human problems. The study of history is an essential part of a liberal arts education and offers valuable preparation for many careers, such as law, journalism, public history, public service and business, as well as in teaching and the advanced discipline of history.

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated Master’s program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

    Top Employment Sectors

    • Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools
    • Federal, State and Local Government
    • Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities
    • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
    • Legal Services
    • Health Care
    • Biotech/Engineering
    • Elementary and Secondary Schools
    • Nonprofit Organizations

Appalachian Cares

It's up to me|us

Appalachian Cares is a place to find resources and support available for our students faculty and staff regarding student health and safety.

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