Axe ’Em, Jacks!
How to preserve the past for future use
The human story is a tangled narrative of events encompassing thousands of years, each thread of which is connected to countless others. A historian can trace those threads, understand their connections and explain their relevance to the present.
Through academic research, teaching and public history (archival and museum work, historic preservation, etc.), historians help us preserve our heritage and make sense of the modern world by reminding us of all that led up to where we are today. A degree in history from SFA teaches you observational, analytical and critical thinking skills that are necessary to put the pieces of the puzzle together in the right order to better understand the human condition.
Skills that will never collect dust
The skills of a good historian can be valuable far beyond the bounds of the classroom or the museum. Research, analysis and strong writing skills are highly valued in many other professional fields such as:
- business management,
- diplomacy,
- journalism,
- law,
- publishing, and
- theology.
Whether you use your training to preserve and transmit history directly or to make you a more productive professional in some other field, the tools you gain from a history education will never get rusty.
Learn history where history actually lives
Where better to study history than in the oldest town in Texas? A Spanish mission was first built in Nacogdoches in 1716, and evidence of Native American inhabitants in the area can be traced back almost 10,000 years!
SFA history students have opportunities to work and volunteer at numerous historical sites and museums in East Texas, gaining hands-on experience in public history and directly contributing to the preservation of our local heritage.
Undergraduate programs and requirements
Bachelor of Arts in history
Students will gain worldwide knowledge with an SFA history degree. This program’s coursework incorporates an expansive array of U.S. and world history in-depth courses over the history of specific regions, eras, and topics ranging from ancient Greece to 20th century Russia, religious history to diplomatic history, and the history of women, Latinos, and Black America.
Students take a sophomore level foundational course, a variety of advanced courses in both U.S. and non-U.S. fields, and a senior seminar course. At least 12 hours of advanced history must be taken at SFA.
Minor in history
The 18-hour minor in history is an opportunity for non-history majors to explore and learn more about history while completing their degree plan. Students choose from a mix of lower-level (6 hours) and upper-level (12 hours) courses over the history of the U.S. and the world from ancient to modern times covering a wide range of topics. At least 6 hours of advanced courses must be taken at SFA.
Minor in public history
The 18-hour minor in public history is an opportunity for all students, including history majors, to gain valuable training and experience in the fields of public history: museums, archives, oral history, historic preservation, heritage tourism, etc. All students take Introduction to Public History and Internship in History. Students then complete 6 hours of other public history courses and 6 hours of upper-level history courses.