History

History majors are prepared for roles like public administrator, foreign service officer, intelligence analyst, lawyer, urban planner, historian and museum curator. Goshen graduates work in the justice system, education, politics, advocacy and beyond, and have done well applying to graduate school in law, humanities, politics and education.

Every history major completes an internship, often with regional institutions such as the Elkhart County Historical Museum, the Goshen Historical Society Museum, or the Mennonite Church USA Archives. Most students additionally spend time abroad through the Study-Service Term. On campus, the Mennonite Historical Library and the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism open rich research opportunities.

Yes. Every history major does. You’ll start in Seminar: Historical Thinking, where you learn the methods of historical research, choose your topic and do the initial work. You’ll carry that topic into Seminar: Thesis, where you write the paper and present it. The thesis is yours from the first question to the last footnote.

Not right away. Your first year is Goshen Core and introductory history courses, so you have time to find what pulls you. Concentration coursework begins in your second year. You’ll choose one of five: Social Science, Humanities, Social Research, Public History or Social Studies Education.