Studying History or American Studies can lead to a wide variety of careers because these majors cultivate the skills that employers value: the ability to think critically, communicate cogently, synthesize information coherently, and research effectively. See some of the careers our graduates have pursued on our Alumni page and how to prepare for those careers on our Careers page.

Approximately 30% of history majors pursue a career in teaching. Students interested in teaching grades 5-12 can pursue a double major in History and Secondary Education. The Secondary Education major cannot be earned alone; it must be paired with a major in a content area such as History. Students have an advisor in each department and spend the second semester of their senior year student teaching in a local public or private school. Students graduate with a B.A. and teacher certification in social studies or ESOL through the state of New Hampshire. For more information about Education, please contact Professor Laura Wasielewski.

The law is the second most common profession (after teaching) among History majors who have graduated from Saint Anselm College. This fact should come as no surprise since, according to the American Bar Association, the History major is widely considered a traditional undergraduate preparation for law school. Such is the case because the major stresses the core skills most prized by the legal profession: problem-solving, critical reading, effective writing, articulate oral communication, a capacity for research, and good general background knowledge.

In addition to the coursework that makes up the History and American Studies Majors, our students have a variety of other academic opportunities available to them during their time at Saint Anselm. Our students’ readiness for a job after graduation comes from their course work and other experiences on campus, including internships, research projects, public presentations, or study abroad.

The History Department offers internships at a number of locations, including the New Hampshire Historical Society, the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, and the College Archives. These internships can help students make informed decisions about their career, form important professional connections, obtain valuable experiences, and apply academic knowledge to real-world problems.

Conducting research is a central part of studying history. Research experience makes our graduates attractive job candidates and helps them with admission to graduate programs in history and other fields. The History Department offers a variety of research opportunities, including assignments in our classes, paid research assistant positions, internships, and as part of student/faculty research grants.

This page includes resources for current students, allowing them to track their progress toward fulfilling the requirements of the majors and minors offered by the department. Also included below are links to various policies.