Central Washington University

What you'll study

The programme combines a broad foundation in historical methods and historiography with specialised study of medieval and early modern Europe. You will study political, social and cultural developments from late antiquity through the Renaissance and the early modern period, examining themes such as religion and reform, urban and rural life, gender and family, book culture and literacy, art and material culture, trade and exploration, and the development of early modern states.

• Core skills and methods: historical research methods, palaeography and reading of pre-modern sources, critical use of archival materials, and historiographical analysis.
• Chronological and regional modules: surveys of medieval Europe and early modern Europe, modules on the High Middle Ages, the Renaissance in Italy and Northern Europe, the Reformation and confessionalisation, and the age of exploration and empire.
• Thematic courses: religion and ritual, medieval intellectual history, art and visual culture, gender and family, economic and urban history, and legal and institutional development.
• Language and source work: opportunities to learn or continue study in Latin and modern European languages, training in reading primary texts and interpreting material culture.
• Capstone and applied work: a senior seminar or capstone research project requiring sustained use of primary sources; internships and practicum options with museums, archives, or public history projects.
• Electives and interdisciplinary options: courses drawing on archaeology, art history, religious studies, literature and cultural studies to enrich understanding of the period.

Entry requirements

Admission to Central Washington University for the BA in History requires a high school diploma or equivalent and completion of any general university admission standards. Suitable applicants typically present a solid academic record in secondary school with coursework demonstrating writing and analytical ability. Transfer applicants will be considered on the basis of college-level work and GPA.

Recommended preparation includes coursework in history and the humanities, and study of a modern foreign language; prior Latin or other classical language study is an advantage for the medieval and early modern focus. International applicants must meet the university's English language proficiency requirements. Applicants intending to teach at the secondary level should consult teacher certification requirements, which may include additional coursework and supervised practicum.

Career prospects

Graduates with specialised training in medieval and early modern European cultural history pursue a wide range of careers. Typical paths include:

• Museums and galleries: curatorial assistant, collections management, exhibition research and interpretation.
• Archives and libraries: archival technician, special collections assistant, digitisation projects and records management.
• Public history and heritage: historic site interpretation, cultural heritage management, community history projects and tourism interpretation.
• Education and outreach: secondary school teaching (with certification), adult education, museum education and curriculum development.
• Research and further study: MA and PhD programmes in history, art history, medieval studies, or related fields leading to academic or specialist careers.
• Other careers where research, writing and critical thinking are valued: law, public administration, non-profit management, publishing and communications.

Why study at Central Washington University

Central Washington University offers a small-college atmosphere within a public university, with faculty who teach undergraduate seminars and supervise independent research. Students benefit from close mentoring on primary-source work and opportunities to develop language skills and palaeographic competence relevant to medieval and early modern studies.

CWU provides access to campus resources such as the university library special collections and local archives, and a range of internship and practicum placements with regional museums, historical societies and cultural organisations. Study-abroad programmes and exchange opportunities give students the chance to pursue source-based learning in European archives and collections. The department emphasises hands-on learning, public-facing research, and preparation for both professional and academic career paths.