Transylvania is an interesting place to study history because the University itself is rich in history. Founded in 1780 as the first institution of higher learning in the West, it has played an important role in educating many of the nation's leaders.

Studying the past helps us understand the present and make decisions about the future. At Transylvania, we strive to make our history program interesting and relevant to today's world.

We offer a major and minor in history. Students majoring in history take courses in Western civilization and United States history, as well as modern European, East Asian, Greek, Roman, African, and Latin American history. Elective courses may focus on significant eras or particular topics, such as the Holocaust, the Vietnam War, Latin American Revolutions, or Diplomacy in Antiquity. In history courses, students analyze primary sources, debate historical and contemporary issues, study historiography and methodology, and engage in independent research. Other opportunities include practical experience through an internship with a historical society, museum, library, or archaeological firm.

Transy's library contains extensive special collections, including a Kentucky collection dating to the eighteenth century. It is an excellent resource for historians.

History students who qualify may join the campus chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honorary.

An undergraduate degree in history is good preparation for law school or graduate school, and many of our history graduates enter careers in law, government, and education.

Some of the positions held by our recent graduates:

Director of a historical society
Chief legislative assistant to a congresswoman
Analyst in Far Eastern affairs for a national security agency
Partner in a law firm
Air Force officer
Admissions representative
High school teacher
U.S. attorney
College history professor
Assistant editor at a historical journal
Bookstore manager

Some of the graduate or professional schools our history students have attended:

Harvard University, Vanderbilt University, Duke University, Emory University, University of Kentucky, Roosevelt University, University of Munich, University of Pennsylvania, the Johns Hopkins University, University of Washington, Tufts University