Undergraduate History Programs
Study History at UNLV
Many people don’t realize that only a small percentage of undergraduate history majors go on to be professional historians. Instead, they become lawyers, librarians, businesspersons, writers, archivists, researchers, teachers, politicians, and even entertainers. Leaders in every industry–from business and technology to the arts and entertainment–can point to their training as history majors as the starting point for their success. The study of history plays an important part in creating intellectual development as well as valuable career skills in research, writing, argumentation, and documentation.
Top Jobs Held by Our Graduates*
- Chief executive
- Project management specialist
- Higher education
- Public historian
- Print and broadcast journalist
- U.S. military
- Cultural resource management and historic preservation
- Lawyer
- Producers and directors
- Writers, editors, and publishers
- Elementary and secondary education
- Archive and information managers
- Banking, insurance, and stock analyst
- Advertising, communications media, and marketing
*Source: Lightcast Career Pathways (2026)
Undergraduate Majors and Minors
Bachelor of Arts in History
The History Department provides a highly individualized and tailored experience for our majors that focuses on academic growth and development. You will establish close relationships with professors who will mentor you through advanced coursework that culminates in your own research project. You will never be just a number as a history major.
Accelerated Master of Arts Program
We also offer the opportunity for students to move straight from their undergraduate degree to a one-year master of arts (M.A.) degree. This accelerated program offers the rigor of the traditional non-thesis M.A. program through a combination of dual credit undergraduate courses and one year of graduate coursework.
Minor in History
The minor in history complements your major and is easy to do. If you are a current UNLV student, you may have already completed some of the requirements and can finish the minor by taking a few more classes you are interested in.
Boost Your Expertise With a Microcredential
A microcredential is a digital badge for transcripts and resumes. They emphasize workplace competencies for post-graduate success, re-skilling, or up-skilling. Our department’s microcredential, “The Past and Present: Historical Research Methods,” equips students with essential research, analytical, and communication skills to strengthen their ability to investigate, interpret, and present complex information. The microcredential is earned as part of the degree.
Students can expect to:
- Receive rigorous, hands-on training in archival and analytical research methods.
- Learn the foundational concepts and techniques of historical investigation and academic writing.
- Deepen their analytical abilities and refine research strategies in preparation for advanced
- independent work by finding a topic, forming questions, and finding primary and
- secondary sources.
- Produce a substantial scholarly paper or policy paper grounded in critical analysis.
- Be competitive for campus-wide research awards such as the Lance and Elena Calvert Undergraduate Research Award and Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) stipends and competitions
“The UNLV History Department was essential to my winning a Calvert Undergraduate Research Award. My history classes taught me how to do research at a much deeper level by critically considering the author, time frame, medium, and intended audience of any piece. This allowed me to glean valuable new insights by reading against the grain.”Paul Cronin, Class of 2026
Additional Information
Transfer Policy
Students wishing to transfer credit toward a Bachelor of Arts in History must schedule a formal meeting with an advisor at the Wilson Advising Center.
Advising and Progression
Incoming students must seek advising from the Wilson Advising Center on requirements in the major and on general education requirements. Though the progress of individual students is monitored by the Wilson Advising Center, every student majoring in history must keep regular appointments with their advisor. Failure to seek academic advising may result in delays of anticipated date of graduation.
Helpful Links
Contact
For more information, visit our faculty/staff directory and contact our undergraduate coordinator.