Apply For A Bachelor of Arts in History Near Chicago

Governors State’s Bachelor of Arts in History helps students develop the skills to identify, collect, and analyze historical evidence and meaningfully engage in interpretive debates on their meanings and importance. 

History students select one track on which to concentrate: United States History or Global History. In the senior year, students complete a two-semester capstone project consisting of an internship or thesis, which prepares them for careers that require critical research and writing skills and/or graduate-level study.

Why Study History?

Our world changes over time. The study of history is important for documenting the past and better understanding the present. 

Document Our World

The past can be parsed from a variety of documents:

• Diaries
• Letters
• Decrees

Even mundane items such as inventory and trade agreements can tell us about ancient life. Understanding the past requires context, and documents provide that.

Perhaps even more important than gathering and reading documents is analyzing them. Historians must be able to investigate documents for details, then use that information to reconstruct the world of the past. 

Tell Forgotten Stories

History also tells stories that reveal how societies function. One issue we need to consider is whose stories get told. In the past, history has been white-washed and focused on Western influence, ignoring the millions of people who not only lived but contributed to science, politics, art, and medicine. By pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in history, you have the opportunity to uncover these forgotten stories and share them with the world.

Contribute To Group Identity

Everyone yearns to belong. For many, that means strong ties to ethnic, national, family, or local history, contributing to group identity. Understanding our roots has been important since human beings first began thinking about the past, present, and future, and it may be more crucial now than ever.

However, not everyone has a history to connect to. Many groups had their history and group identity severed through imperialism, slavery, and other atrocities. Historical research has the power to connect groups with their ancestors and precursors.

Create Responsible Citizenry

Knowledge of history creates a more responsible citizenry. To make the best decisions for the future, we as citizens need to understand the past. Many facts have been spun a certain way, buried to avoid wrestling with injustice, or doctored to push a particular agenda. Historians seek to look at the past with an objective eye while recognizing the humanity that drove it.

This balance of objectivity and empathy is crucial to avoiding the mistakes of history. By choosing to delve into the past with a BA in history, you’re providing citizens with the knowledge they need to make tomorrow better.

Reach Your Career Goals

As a graduate of history, your training opens various career paths, including heritage management and museum curation and exhibition, among many others. Some history majors pursue graduate studies in history and other fields, such as law, public administration, and political science or certification to teach history or social studies in high schools.

Jobs and Salaries You Can Get With a History Degree

If you’re interested in a history degree, you’ve probably heard this question before: “What are you doing to do with it?” Many people have the impression that the only available role for historians is teaching. However, there are plenty of jobs you can get a Bachelor of Arts in history.

In the Chicago, IL, area alone, there are plenty of schools, research centers, libraries, and museums that require the expertise earned through a history degree. If you want to build a career in this field, there are a wide variety of ways.

Historian

There’s a misconception that you have to love your job to be a historian because the position itself doesn’t pay well. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. In the U.S., the average yearly salary is over $83,000. These jobs often come with health insurance, employee stock ownership plans, flexible hours, and many other benefits.

So who employs historians? You may be surprised to find that U.S. federal agencies are at the top of the list:

• Department of the Interior
• Department of the Navy
• Department of Homeland Security
• Department of Defense
• Department of State

Of course, you can also work in the private sector at research centers, nonprofits, and other organizations interested in preserving history.

Curator

Who decides what items fill a museum exhibit? The answer is curators.

Any museum or traveling exhibit you’ve ever visited contained artifacts collected by curators. They manage, display, and catalog items of historical value. In the U.S., curators make an average of $53,000 a year and often enjoy the following benefits:

• Paid sick time
• On-site employee gym
• Flexible spending account

Archivist

Archivists are wizards with information; not only do they determine the origin of documents, but they’re also responsible for maintaining databases containing that info. They may be tasked with handling aging documents and their appraisal. On average, they make $51,000 a year.

Why Choose Us

Governors State University is proud to offer students a well-rounded education and many opportunities to pursue academic, career, and personal growth. We’re dedicated to making higher education accessible, no matter your background or goals. Additionally, we’re deeply connected to our Chicago, IL, community and provide many avenues to actively participate in local initiatives.

Private College Experience in a Public School Setting

A prominent university isn’t for everyone. Many people prefer the smaller size of private institutions but can’t afford the high cost. Governors State University provides the private college experience for the price of public tuition. Additionally, students enjoy the many benefits of attending public universities, including a diverse population, a plethora of student activities and organizations, and robust student services.

Close to Chicago

Chicago, IL, is a thriving city — it’s a bastion of innovative art, theater, food, and music. For aspiring historians, it’s also filled with historical sites and museums. It’s widely diverse but not as populated as New York or Los Angeles, allowing newcomers to easily find their place within its windy neighborhoods and gorgeous waterfronts.

Choosing a university is a big decision; we understand that students’ environment has a significant impact on their success. That’s why Governors State University works to make students feel included and supported, not just within their disciplines but within the university as a whole. If you’d like to find out more or are ready to apply, reach out to us online or give us a call at 708-534-5000. 

History students select one track on which to concentrate: United States History or Global History. In the senior year, students complete a two-semester capstone project consisting of an internship or thesis, which prepares them for careers that require critical research and writing skills and/or graduate-level study.  

Reach your career goals.

As a graduate of history, your training opens a variety of career paths, including heritage management and museum curation and exhibition, among many others. Some history majors pursue graduate studies in history and other fields, such as law, public administration, and political science or certification to teach history or social studies in high schools.

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