By studying history at Radford University, you will explore the past to understand the present, and you will learn to think, research, write, and speak--analytically and effectively, universal skills that are applicable to a wide variety of fields. These are skills that all employers look for. You learn in small classes and work directly with award-winning, published, and engaging professors. Also, you have the opportunity for hands-on experience in applied history through digitization projects; web site development; and internships in museums, archives and libraries.
This degree requires completion of the B.A. foreign language requirements. History majors, particularly those planning graduate work in history, are strongly urged to pursue a B.A. degree.
To complete this degree, history majors (with the approval of their advisors) must complete two courses from a list of approved B.S. degree requirement courses. Please consult the history major degree requirements in the undergraduate catalog for a list of these approved courses.
Graduates from our history program have gone into a variety of fields: law, law enforcement, foreign service, journalism, digital marketing, museums, libraries, historical preservation, archives, park management, and secondary and collegiate education—just to name a few.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income, for example, for historians in 2022 was $64,540; for journalists, $55,960 per year; for librarians, $61,660 per year, and for lawyers, $135,740.
Want to be a history teacher?
Want to be a history teacher?
Declare our Social Sciences major
Small class sizes
Small class sizes
provide the opportunity for hands-on work with award-winning faculty
Academic excellence awards
Academic excellence awards
Each year, students are selected for recognition by faculty.
The Department of History’s Center for Archives and Digital History is a place where students can learn and apply practical skills in the preservation and organization of historical documents. Students work directly with growing collections of letters, diaries, manuscripts and other documents. They digitize, transcribe, create metadata, and make materials accessible on web sites that they help design.
"For me it was the faculty. They reawakened in me a love of history and also revealed the many careers you can pursue with a history major."
Jordyn Harris '24
We want to get to know you better and we are excited that you are ready to take your next step and learn more about us. We are here to help you and look forward to working with you during your college search process.