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Bachelor of Arts
Major | Minor
History majors stand out as curious learners and empathetic listeners prepared for 100 careers and graduate programs, not just one.In a sea of college graduates whose degree prepares them only for career X, our students stand apart as curious learners and empathetic listeners who have the soft skills that prepare them for 100 careers and graduate programs, not just one. Our graduates do particularly well when compared to other Midwestern colleges in applying for graduate schools – from Law to Humanities, to Politics or Education. And they enter meaningful careers: recent graduates work in the justice system, financial analysis, city planning, teaching, criminal justice, NGO advocacy. They have become lawyers, political consultants, church leaders or software research directors at major Silicon Valley companies.
My degree taught me to determine where to look for information, ask critical questions, gather data, organize it, analyze it, tease out insights, synthesize, and report out. Those skills lend themselves to countless occupations. Even more important, though, my history education has made me a more critical thinker and consequently influences how I see the world.
Janelle Diller '75
Children's Author
Being a history minor prepared me for law school and the practice of law in innumerable ways. I developed a lot of analytical skills and my writing ability. But I think more importantly, my history classes taught me to closely read material, something very important in the practice of law.
Clarissa Gaff '00
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 PathsGoshen College’s history and political science department prepares students to stand out to any employer who is looking for someone who can think for themselves, finds joy in doing their own research, can understand text and data quickly, and tell engaging stories that take the culture, needs and emotions of others seriously.
The list below provides several career options, but it is not exhaustive. Please note that some positions require additional education.
| Public Administrator | Public Administrator | Public Administrator |
| Foreign Service Officer | Foreign Service Officer | Foreign Service Officer |
| Intelligence Analyst | Intelligence Analyst | Intelligence Analyst |
| Lawyer | Lawyer | Lawyer |
| Urban Planner | Urban Planner | Urban Planner |
A major and a minor in history are available, as well as social studies teacher education for grades 5-12. The history major pairs nicely with minors in political studies, pre-law studies, social policy, and Anabaptist-Mennonite studies.
For a full list of requirements and courses, refer to the course listing page.
You will find many opportunities to gain valuable experience (paid or volunteer) in and
around campus.
Learn more about our experiential learning opportunities.
As part of your time at Goshen College, students will have accss to a variety of resources and facilities including our Good Library.
Students in history might find particular interest in these additional resources:
Scholarships make up a large portion of our financial aid packages, which average almost $26,000 per student (not including work-study or loans). Please visit our financial aid page for more information on available scholarships and the application process.
In addition to scholarships open to all students, Goshen College offers several scholarships exclusively for junior and senior history majors:
Professor of US History
Director of the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism & Assistant Professor of History
Professor of History
Naomi Lapp Klassen '25 won first prize in the binational intercollegiate C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest.
Associate Professor of History “My first years teaching at a Christian college have been an exercise in shedding secular ways and getting used to bringing my whole self to teaching. After attending Catholic schools for most of K-12, my higher...
Berlin, Ohio MAJORS: business, history Lead pastor at Berlin Mennonite Church How did your experience at Goshen College inform your vocational calling and/or approach to ministry? Goshen College provided opportunities for me to test the call to ministry through the Ministry Inquiry...
Clarissa Gaff ’00 is the executive director at Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, which provides free civil legal assistance to low income individuals in St. Louis, Missouri. She was an English major at Goshen College. “I work for Land of...
Paul ’08 and Rebecca Shetler Fast ’08: Young Alumni Servant Leadership Award Goshen, Indiana Paul Shetler Fast MCC global health coordinator History major, minors in international studies and global economics Rebecca Shetler Fast Director of Elkhart County’s System of Care...
