What you'll learn studying History at UW-Platteville
At the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, the History program allows you to turn your passion for the past into a future you’ll love. History is the systematic study of the past. Understanding the past helps us to understand human nature, broadens our perspective, refines our judgment, and provides insight into contemporary issues.
The study of history is basic to your personal uniqueness, professional identity, and civic life. As a student of history, you will develop important skills, including reading, writing, analysis, and using logic. When you pursue a history degree, you will learn how to do research; assess arguments; and interpret economic, social, political, cultural, and technological change in a variety of contexts.
Through the program, you can participate in exciting experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, field work, and educational travel, early in your education. You can also share your appreciation for history with others in the History Club student organization.
Careers in History
Your history major will provide the basis for work in many fields. Some fields are directly related to the subject matter of history, such as museum and archive work, teaching, documentary film making, or historical publishing. Other fields, such as business, advertising, journalism, public relations, public administration, planning, research, and professional fields, such as law, use the skills that the study of history cultivates.
Some of the most popular career opportunities for graduates with degrees in history include:
- Archeologist
- Archivist
- Business consultant
- College/University history professor
- Historian
- High school history social studies teacher
- Legal occupations
- Librarian
- Management in business, science, and the arts
- Middle school history social studies teacher
- Museum curator
- Park ranger
- Reporter/journalist
- Researcher
- Tour guide
- Writer
Although there is, and will likely continue to be, an increasing demand for graduates in traditional historical areas, the most dramatic increases in demand are in the fields of public history. Some of the fastest-growing fields include the administration of cultural resource management programs; roles working for agencies or organizations such as museums, archives, and historic preservation offices; the management of corporate and business archives; program development roles for local and state government agencies; and teaching local and public history in university history departments.
Discover by doing
At UW-Platteville we focus on hands-on learning. As a history major or minor, you’ll have exciting opportunities to conduct research, do field work, participate in internships, study abroad, and much more.
