History Degree Program
History is a broad subject, and there are as many different focus areas in history as there are topics to study. The bachelor degree program at NSU is broad, offering courses in European and American early and recent history as well as several public history courses. Students who major or minor in history at NSU receive a full background in historical study, gaining insight into ethnic, social, economic, political, cultural and military factors which have combined to make the past what it is.
Undergraduate history students are given the opportunity to research world, national, state, and local history and to present their findings at professional conferences including the Louisiana Historical Association annual conference. Research publications have included the Journal of North Louisiana History published by the North Louisiana Historical Association. Natchitoches itself offers students the chance to explore actual historical sites, and the archives in the Cammie G. Henry Research Center give them the chance to study primary documents related to a number of historical topics. Through participation in the Pi Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, students are also encouraged to participate in local events such as re-enactment weekends at the State Commemorative Area Fort St. Jean Baptiste and Natchitoches' annual tour of historic homes, providing interpretation for visitors. In addition to classroom instruction, students have the opportunity to learn the latest field techniques in oral history research at the Heritage Resource Laboratory.
Employment opportunities for history majors are as broad as history itself, ranging from teaching at the secondary or college level, practicing law, and writing historical novels to designing local history programs, interpreting museum collections, and community planning for historic preservation. Students in history are often considered top candidates for jobs in corporate America because of their background in research, organization and interpretation of complex information from a number of different sources. Some of our recent graduates have pursued their careers as lawyers, ministers, or sales managers. Several have also successfully completed their Ph.D. degrees.
