Ferris State University

What you'll study

This programme provides a foundation in historical methods and historiography alongside concentrated courses in Medieval and Early Modern European cultural history. You will study political, social and cultural developments across late antiquity, the medieval period and the Renaissance and Reformation, paying particular attention to religion, intellectual life, visual culture and everyday practices.

• Core skills and methods: historical research, source analysis, historiographical debates, archival methods and public history practice.
• Medieval and Early Modern topics: courses on medieval Europe, the high Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Reformation and the early modern state; cultural topics such as religion and society, art and material culture, popular belief and witchcraft, and the history of ideas.
• Skills-building and languages: palaeography and manuscript studies, introduction to Latin for historians, and courses in research design and digital history techniques.
• Capstone and research: a senior seminar or thesis project that requires sustained primary-source research, often hosted or supported by the university archives and special collections.
• Experiential learning: internships with local museums, historical societies and archives, public history projects, and opportunities to present research at undergraduate symposia.

The programme typically combines required major courses with general education requirements and electives, allowing you to pursue minors or complementary study in fields such as museum studies, archival studies, Classics, or languages.

Entry requirements

Admission to the Bachelor of Arts in History at Ferris State University normally requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typical academic expectations include a competitive high-school transcript with strength in humanities and social-science subjects. Transfer applicants are considered on the basis of college-level coursework and GPA.

• Standard admissions documentation: high-school/college transcripts and an application to the university.
• Recommended preparation: coursework in history and English, and demonstrated writing ability; prior study of a foreign language is advantageous for medieval/early modern work.
• For international applicants: proof of English proficiency where required and submission of equivalent secondary credentials.
• Students planning teacher certification should consult the education department for additional requirements and professional sequence admissions.

Career prospects

Graduates with a concentration in Medieval and Early Modern European cultural history develop strong research, writing and critical-thinking skills that are valuable across many sectors. Common career paths include:

• Heritage and museums: roles in curation, collections management, interpretation and public programming at museums and historic sites.
• Archives and libraries: roles in archival processing, digital curation and research support in university, regional and special collections.
• Education and outreach: secondary teaching (with appropriate certification), adult education and community history programming.
• Public history and cultural resource management: working for historical commissions, preservation organisations and cultural NGOs.
• Further study and professions: many graduates progress to MA or PhD programmes in history, medieval studies, library and information science, or enter law, government and publishing where analytical and communication skills are prized.

Why study at Ferris State University

Ferris State offers a student-focused environment with small classes and direct access to faculty mentors, which benefits close-reading and primary-source work essential in medieval and early modern studies. The university’s library and special collections provide local archival material and staff support for undergraduate research.

• Applied learning opportunities through internships with museums and archives in the region, giving practical experience alongside academic study.
• Cross-disciplinary options and collaboration with related programmes—such as museum studies, education and languages—allow students to tailor degrees to career goals.
• Faculty with active research and mentoring roles help students prepare senior projects and applications for graduate study, while campus events and symposia give venues for presenting undergraduate research.

Overall, the programme balances broad historical training with focused study of medieval and early modern European culture, preparing graduates for a range of careers and further academic work.