Eastern Michigan University

What you'll study

The programme combines foundation courses in historical methods and historiography with specialised modules on medieval and early modern Europe. Core topics include the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Reformation, the rise of early modern states, and the cultural and intellectual movements that shaped Europe up to the Enlightenment. You will study primary sources and material culture, learn palaeography and archival research techniques, and examine themes such as religion and society, gender and family, urban and rural life, art and visual culture, and the history of science and ideas.

Typical modules and learning activities include:

• Introductory and advanced survey courses in medieval European history and early modern Europe.
• Research methods and historiography courses that train students in critical source analysis and argumentation.
• Language training in a modern or historical European language (for example French, German, or Latin) to support reading primary sources.
• Specialist seminars on topics such as medieval religion and society, Renaissance cultural history, theprint culture and book history, or the European Reformations.
• Hands-on archival work, palaeography workshops and opportunities to work with material collections.
• An upper-level capstone experience—either a research seminar with a substantial research paper or a senior thesis project supervised by faculty.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a secondary school diploma or recognised equivalent. Admissions look for a strong academic record with evidence of ability in reading, writing and critical thinking; recommended preparation includes coursework in history, English or the humanities. Applicants may be asked to submit a writing sample or a personal statement outlining their interest in medieval and early modern studies. Transfer students with prior college-level coursework in history are welcome; advanced standing or credit is considered on the basis of transcripts and course descriptions. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised tests or institutional equivalents.

Career prospects

Graduates emerge with skills in research, critical analysis, writing and foreign-language reading that are valued across many sectors. Common career paths include:

• Heritage and museum work (curation, collections management, public programmes) — often supported by internships and local partnerships.
• Archives and records management, with further professional certification when required.
• Secondary school teaching or further study in education.
• Public history, cultural resource management and community engagement roles in cultural organisations.
• Publishing, journalism, law, and public policy roles where strong research and communication skills are needed.
• Graduate study in history, medieval/early modern studies, library and information science, or related fields for those pursuing academic or specialist research careers.

Why study at Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan University offers a liberal-arts environment with small seminars and substantial faculty supervision for undergraduate research projects. The History Department supports thematic concentrations and provides practical training in archival methods and historical interpretation. EMU’s location near major cultural resources in southeastern Michigan gives students access to museums, historical societies and archives for internships and fieldwork; the department also encourages study abroad and exchange opportunities in Europe to deepen language skills and direct engagement with European sources.

Students benefit from a curriculum designed to balance broad historical understanding with the specialised skills needed for medieval and early modern scholarship, plus advising to plan careers, teacher certification routes or preparation for graduate study.