Indiana University East will offer a Bachelor of Arts in History beginning this fall. Currently, students interested in majoring in history are enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with a concentration in history.

Students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in history from IU East will have a broad knowledge of the diverse historical pasts of the United States, Europe, and the world. They will understand the basic methodology of history as an intellectual discipline; to evaluate and analyze primary sources and secondary literature; and be equipped to continue historical studies throughout their lives.

School of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Katherine Frank said it’s an exciting time for the history program at IU East.

“The School of Humanities and Social Sciences is pleased to welcome Justin Carroll, assistant professor of history, to the university, and students will be able to work with an outstanding and dedicated group of faculty as they progress through their plan of study.  Students pursuing a B.A. in History will benefit from a comprehensive academic program that will prepare them to pursue graduate work and professional options in a variety of fields.”

Daron Olson, assistant professor of history, said the degree will provide students with a combination of general historical knowledge, plus exposure for the students to the specialized training of IU East faculty in such areas as women’s history, Native-American history, nationalism, and identity.

“We are very excited about this development and look forward to preparing our students to think critically and communicate effectively, both orally and in written form,” Olson said.

Graduates of this program will possess broad preparation in writing, analytical research, and critical thinking, so their skills can be applied to many different occupations. Employment opportunities with a degree in history may include teaching history at the elementary and secondary levels; historic sites and museum work; cultural resources management and historic preservation; think tanks; writing, editing or documentary editing; archivists; librarians; lawyers and paralegals; legislative staff work; foundations; historians in corporations; contract historians; historians; or for agencies and organizations.

The program also prepares students for graduate work in history, library science, and related fields.

Students from Ivy Tech Community College will be able to seamlessly transfer credits to the history program at IU East.

IU East’s mission is to offer a broad range of bachelor’s and master’s programs. The bachelor’s in history program promotes the educational well-being of residents in eastern Indiana and western Ohio and a growing number of teachers in the region who are seeking in-depth knowledge of subject content, specifically in the area of history.

For more information, contact the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at (765) 973-8222 or go online to iue.edu/hss.