History, B.A.

Why major in history at Whitworth?

• Learn from professors who are dedicated to rigorous academic inquiry and to their students. Your professors will challenge you to grow academically and personally.
• Take part in stimulating classroom discussions. Small class sizes mean you can share your insights and knowledge in class, where professors value students' ideas.
• Gain hands-on experience through incredible internships. Each year, history majors are selected to intern at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Popular choices in Spokane include the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture and the Historic Preservation Office.
• Receive support as you consider your future career. Through courses such as Becoming a Historian and through mentorship from professors, you will discover the breadth of options available. Professors will gladly help you transition to your next step post-graduation.
• Take advantage of teaching assistantships, which can be especially beneficial if you plan to pursue graduate school.
• Become a stronger writer, speaker and critical thinker. By majoring in history, you will build transferable skills.
• Develop research skills. Learn how to create historical context, analyze evidence from primary as well as digital sources, search effectively and present results in various formats.
• Become who you're meant to be.

Ask our faculty

Our history grads make a difference (and get jobs)

Whitworth history graduates are prepared to apply their broad skill set to any number of careers. Generally, majors choose careers in public history, public service, business, law, education and academia.

Recent job placements include:

• Leighton Kittleman, museum educator, Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, Spokane
• Alex Fergus, public service & circulation supervisor, Whitworth University, Spokane
• Sarah Cochrane, archivist, Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Lake Oswego, Ore.
• Noah Patterson, senior assistant attorney general, Colorado Attorney General's Office, Denver
• Hannah Tweet, associate director, La Florida: The Interactive Digital Archive of the Americas
• Heather Glady, project administrator, Design and Production Incorporated, Lorton, Va.
• Noah McDonald, history and ELA teacher, Westwood Middle School, Cheney School District
• Amber Glen, administrative assistant, Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums in the State of Alaska network
• Benjamin Tkach, assistant professor of political science, King University, Bristol, Tenn.
• Chloe Dye Sherpe, curatorial project manager, Lumiere Group, Seattle
• Katie Mann, 10th grade history and English teacher, Mt. Spokane High School, Mead School District

Our recent history grads further their studies in top graduate programs at institutions including:

• George Washington University
• SUNY College at Oneonta's Cooperstown Graduate Program
• Washington State University
• University of Washington
• University of Pennsylvania
• The Johns Hopkins University
• Brandeis University
• University of Maryland
• University of Florida
• Boston University

Opportunities outside the classroom

• Engage with faculty outside of the classroom. Our faculty members accompany students to conferences and local events and lead off-campus study programs for students.
• Attend fun department events like the fall kickoff and year-end ice cream social.
• Connect with fellow history-loving peers in History Club. 

Pack your bags!

Whitworth offers several off-campus study programs to history majors, often in partnership with other departments like art, theatre, English, and world languages & cultures. You will have various opportunities to study in Europe, with options such as a cultural history program in Rome. Another choice for history majors is the Whitworth in China program, a study of Chinese culture and language based out of Beijing.

What related majors can I explore?

• History/Social Studies
• Political Science
• Sociology
• English