Whether you’re interested in law, government, education, advocacy or nonprofit leadership, this program equips you with the critical thinking and communication skills to lead with insight and purpose.
History
Major | Minor
Why Study History at Goshen College?
If you’re curious about how the past shapes our present—and how your voice can shape the future—a history major at Goshen College offers a path toward thoughtful, informed engagement with the world. Here, studying history isn’t about memorizing names and dates; it’s about uncovering the stories that define cultures, movements, and everyday people, and learning to interpret them with empathy and precision.
As a history student, you’ll be mentored closely by faculty who challenge you to ask deep questions, conduct original research, and engage with complex global and local narratives. With small class sizes, immersive coursework, and real-world internships, you’ll graduate not only with critical thinking and writing skills, but with a sense of purpose. Our alumni thrive in law, education, politics, advocacy, and countless other fields—because history majors aren’t prepared for just one career, but for a lifetime of learning, leading, and contributing meaningfully to society.
Career Paths
With a history degree from Goshen College, you’ll be prepared for a broad range of careers including:
- Lawyer
- Teacher or Professor
- Librarian or Archivist
- Museum Curator
- International Development Worker
- Pastor
- Public Policy Analyst
- Software Developer
- Historic Preservationist
- Non-profit Program Director
- Community Organizer
Our alumni have pursued graduate studies at institutions such as Harvard, Notre Dame, and the University of Chicago, and work in education, nonprofit leadership, government, and business.
Credits and Requirements
The history major, history pre-law major history minor offer flexible course options, making it possible to combine with another major or minors. Students will customize their studies with a concentration in Social Science, Humanities, Social Research, Public History, or Social Studies Education. Juniors and seniors complete an internship and take the two-part history seminar, culminating in a significant research paper.
Hands-On Learning Opportunities
Seminar: As a history major, you will complete a seminar sequence of two courses focused on the craft of our discipline and the integration of human spiritualities and values with the art of communicating well. Working with primary sources that you find through archival research or by conducting oral history interviews, you will write an original thesis paper that could be submitted to an academic journal and serves as an excellent part of a competitive graduate school application.
Internship experience: We make sure your internship and research opportunities connect you to the real world value of what you study here. You will gain hands-on experience through internships with local museums and historical societies, law firms, research assistantships, and GC’s unique research facilities at the Mennonite Historical Library and the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism.
Off-campus learning: You’ll have the chance to engage in immersive learning through off-campus courses taught by history faculty, including “Cultural Perspectives: Chicago to Amish Country,” “Latino Community Histories,” and “Youth and Resilience in Guatemala.”
Scholarships
Students in the history program may be eligible for scholarships such as:
- Willard and Vera Smith Scholarship (U.S. history focus)
- Oswin and David Gerber Scholarship (Mennonite history focus)
Contact the history department or the financial aid office for more information.
Facilities & Resources
Students have access to the extensive resources of the Mennonite Historical Library and the Good Library on campus. Research opportunities are supported by faculty mentorship and connections to regional historical institutions, including the Elkhart County Historical Museum, Goshen Historical Society Museum, and the Mennonite Church USA Archives.