Pfeiffer University

What you'll study

The programme is built around a core of chronological and thematic modules that cover the medieval period through the Renaissance and the early modern era. You will study topics such as medieval political and ecclesiastical institutions, the history of the Reformation, material and visual culture, daily life and social structures, and the intellectual history of early-modern Europe.

Typical modules and learning activities include:

• Medieval Europe: political, social and religious developments from Late Antiquity to the high Middle Ages.
• The Renaissance and Reformation: cultural, intellectual and confessional change in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Europe.
• Religion and Society: the role of the Church, monasticism, lay devotional practices and interfaith encounters.
• Material and Visual Culture: the study of manuscripts, prints, paintings, architecture and objects as historical evidence.
• Historical Methods and Historiography: research design, source criticism and major historiographical debates in medieval and early modern studies.
• Language Studies: reading competence in one or more relevant languages (for example Latin, French, German or Italian) to support primary-source work.
• Archival and Digital Skills: palaeography, codicology, archival practice and introduction to digital humanities tools for transcribing, mapping and analysing historical data.
• Capstone/Senior Seminar: an independent research project or thesis supervised by faculty, often involving archival work, curate-led placements or a digital history project.

Students choose electives to shape a particular focus — for example cultural history of religion, art and iconography, legal and urban history, or exploration and empire — and may combine modules from other departments such as art history, classics or literature.

Programme structure

The degree follows a liberal-arts structure with a mix of required core modules, subject electives and general education courses. Teaching is delivered through seminars, small-group tutorials, lectures, archival workshops and research supervision. Opportunities for internships, museum placements and study abroad allow students to gain practical experience with primary sources and public engagement.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised secondary-school qualification. Successful candidates typically demonstrate a strong academic record with evidence of study in humanities subjects such as history, English, languages or social studies. Pfeiffer looks for applicants who show curiosity about the past, facility with reading and writing, and the potential for independent research.

Specific expectations include:

• A completed secondary-school diploma or equivalent from an accredited institution.
• Transcripts showing strength in humanities or liberal-arts subjects.
• A personal statement describing interest in medieval and early modern history and any relevant experience (eg. archival work, local heritage projects, reading knowledge of a relevant language).
• References from a teacher or academic referee who can comment on academic ability and suitability for independent study.
• International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through recognised tests or prior study in English where required.

Transfer students and mature applicants are considered on the basis of previous higher-education credits, professional experience, and evidence of readiness for degree-level study. Applicants are encouraged to contact admissions or the history department to discuss individual circumstances and language preparation.

Career prospects

Graduates with a specialism in medieval and early modern European cultural history develop strong analytical, research and communication skills that are valued in a wide range of careers. Common paths include:

• Museum, archive and heritage work: curatorship, collections management, education and visitor services.
• Public history and cultural resource management: working with historic sites, heritage trusts and local history organisations.
• Libraries and information services: archival assistants, cataloguing and digitisation projects.
• Education: secondary teaching (usually requiring a separate teacher-training qualification) and educational outreach in cultural institutions.
• Publishing, journalism and communications: editing, content development and research roles.
• Government, NGOs and the civil service: policy, research and roles that require cultural and historical literacy.
• Academic and professional research: progression to postgraduate study (MA, PhD) in history, cultural studies, museum studies or related fields.

Internships, community-engaged projects and study-abroad experience offered through the programme help students build professional networks and practical experience attractive to employers.

Why study at Pfeiffer University

Pfeiffer University offers a small-college environment with close faculty mentoring, small seminar groups and opportunities for undergraduate research. The history faculty emphasise hands-on work with primary sources, preparatory skills in palaeography and languages, and experiential learning through internships and community partnerships.

Students benefit from personalised advising, opportunities to present research at campus events and support from career services for placements and postgraduate preparation. The university’s liberal-arts tradition encourages interdisciplinary study, enabling students to combine historical training with language study, museum practice, digital humanities or education to shape a career pathway that matches their interests.