State University of New York

What you'll study

The programme combines core training in historical methods with specialised study of medieval and early modern Europe. You will study political and institutional change, religious life and reform, intellectual and artistic movements, book culture and print history, gender and family, and material and visual culture. Courses emphasise primary-source analysis in original languages where possible alongside modern critical approaches.

• Core modules: historical methods and historiography, introduction to medieval Europe, introduction to early modern Europe, research skills and public history.
• Period and thematic seminars: Byzantium and the Latin West, the Crusades and cross-cultural encounters, Renaissance thought and humanism, Reformation and confessional cultures, witchcraft and social conflict, urban life and economic change, empire and exploration.
• Cultural and material history: manuscript and book history, art and visual culture, materiality and artefacts, music and performance in late medieval and early modern communities.
• Language training: opportunities to study relevant languages such as Latin, medieval/early modern vernaculars (French, Italian, Spanish, German), and palaeography to work with original manuscripts.
• Skills-based learning: archival research methods, digital humanities tools for historical research, public engagement and curatorial practice.
• Capstone and research: a senior seminar or honours thesis based on original research, often drawing on archives, special collections or material culture.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have completed secondary education equivalent to a US high school diploma with a strong record in humanities subjects. Admissions typically consider overall academic performance, a personal statement that demonstrates interest in history and critical reading skills, and letters of recommendation.

• Recommended academic preparation: coursework in history, literature, languages, and writing. Background study in world history or European history is advantageous.
• Standardised tests: submission of standardised test scores (where required) follows campus policy; many campuses also consider test-optional applications.
• International applicants: secondary-school credentials evaluated against US requirements; proof of English language proficiency if English is not the first language.
• Additional materials: some applicants submit a writing sample or examples of analytical essays; language placement may be required for entry-level language training.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with strong research, writing and analytical skills valued across many sectors. The degree is an excellent foundation for roles that require critical thinking, contextual analysis and clear communication.

• Museum and heritage work: curatorial assistant, collections management, education and outreach.
• Archives and libraries: archivist assistant, special collections technician, records management (often with postgraduate archival training).
• Education and public history: secondary teaching (with appropriate certification), community history projects, historic site interpretation.
• Publishing, journalism and media: editorial, research and content roles focusing on cultural and historical material.
• Policy, government and nonprofit sectors: cultural policy, programme coordination, research roles.
• Further study and research: MA and PhD programmes in history or related fields, as well as professional schools such as law or museum studies.

Why study at State University of New York

Studying this programme within the State University of New York system offers access to a wide network of faculty expertise, libraries and archives across multiple campuses and collaborative opportunities with cultural institutions in New York State and the broader region. The system supports undergraduate research, study-abroad exchanges with European partners, and internships that give practical experience with manuscripts, artefacts and public-facing history projects.

Faculty in medieval and early modern studies bring interdisciplinary perspectives from art history, religious studies, literature and digital humanities, and undergraduates can take advantage of honours research supervision, language training, and placement programmes with museums, archives and historical societies. The programme is designed to combine rigorous academic training with professional skills for diverse career pathways.