Welcome to the Department of History at Central Michigan University
Powers Hall, home of the department of history, on an early summer evening.
The study of history offers the opportunity to explore the past experience of other people throughout the world. The past is endlessly fascinating in its own right. Historical perspectives also create a powerful framework for understanding how the world around us came to be as it is. A deep knowledge of the past can provide insight into events and conflicts of the present and our own place within them. Students in history also learn to read and think critically, to organize, analyze, and interpret information, and to write persuasively. As such, History holds a central place in a liberal arts education.
The history major at Central Michigan University provides a strong foundation for many careers. Our alumni have distinguished themselves in fields such as law, journalism, business, government, and information management. Many have made their mark as history teachers in K-12 schools, as professors in colleges and universities, and as public historians in fields such as museum work and historical preservation. Our graduate programs provide opportunities for intensive historical study and research at CMU and partner institutions abroad, and our MAs and PhDs have gone on to fulfilling careers including positions in higher education, public history, archive management, and editing for major publishing houses. For more information about our programs, investigate the links above.