A degree in history

An education in history prepares you to conduct research, evaluate information, think critically and communicate clearly and persuasively. Historians develop versatile skills that are transferable to careers in education, museums, public service, nonprofits, tourism, publishing and business and administration. A history degree also provides a strong foundation for graduate work in the social sciences and humanities and for professional programs in law and medicine.

Why study history at Wayne State?

Amber Mitchell: Making history public and accessible to all

Amber N. Mitchell (B.A., 2013) is the assistant director of public engagement at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, LA, where she leads the public programs and community engagement team in their efforts to create innovative educational programs for a variety of audiences, as well as purposeful community relationship building within the Greater New Orleans area.

Amber Harrison: Detroiter who fights to preserve the city’s history, voices

A born and raised Detroiter, Amber Harrison has experienced the city’s growing pains firsthand. Evoking the image of a rising sea and crashing waves, she said the changes have been fascinating to watch and at times painful.

Grace Moore and the truth about 'bra burners'

The 1968 Miss America protest in Atlantic City, NJ, is widely considered the birth of the “bra-burners” but organizers say that no bras were burned. Student Grace Moore set out to investigate the myth and the lasting implications for feminism.

Mob spies and rock and roll history alum Dennis Barrie has done it all

Alumnus Dr. Dennis Barrie's love for museums started at a young age when his parents dragged him kicking and screaming to every museum they could find.

Masters student explores out-of-this-world research on the American astronaut

Nicholas Rhein has been interested in space and space exploration for as long as he can remember. Now, as a student in Wayne State's Joint Master of Arts in History and Library and Information Science, he's using that curiosity in his graduate studies. He's been able to connect that curiosity with the past to create a truly out-of-this-world graduate research project.

More spotlights

News

Tiff Massey’s ‘7 Mile & Livernois’ exhibition isn’t just about a neighborhood – it’s a tribute to Black Detroit

Graphic show Native American Heritage Month graphic

Indigenous perspectives take center stage in winter semester history course

First-gen faculty share insights and advice for National First-Generation College Celebration Day

A group of graduates walk during the traditional commencement march, a few proudly displaying 'First Generation' stolls on their graduation regalia.

Wayne State celebrates first-generation students, social mobility

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