Auburn University at Montgomery

What you'll study

This programme combines broad survey courses in world and European history with specialised seminars and modules focused on medieval and early modern Europe. Core work emphasises cultural history: religion and ritual, material culture, intellectual movements such as scholasticism and humanism, the Renaissance, the Reformation, the rise of early modern states, and transnational contacts including the Mediterranean and Atlantic exchanges.

• Foundations and surveys — introduction to historical methods, Western civilization surveys, and thematic courses that situate medieval and early modern Europe in global context.
• Specialist modules — topics such as the Crusades and pilgrimage, late antique and Byzantine studies, medieval society and law, the Renaissance in art and literature, early modern popular culture, and the Reformation and confessionalisation.
• Methods and skills — historiography, archival and primary-source analysis, palaeography and manuscript studies (where offered), digital history methods and public history practice.
• Language and contextual study — opportunities to study relevant languages (for example Latin and introductory modern European languages) to support primary-source work.
• Research and capstone — a senior seminar or capstone research project that develops an extended piece of original scholarship under faculty supervision, often including archival research or a digital project.
• Electives and practical experience — elective courses across disciplines (art history, literature, anthropology), plus internship or practicum options with museums, archives, or community heritage organisations; study-abroad opportunities to study European history on location are also encouraged.

Structure

The degree follows a liberal-arts structure combining general education requirements with major coursework and electives. Students typically move from introductory classes to upper-level seminars and a senior research project, allowing progressive development of analytical, research and communication skills.

Entry requirements

Auburn University at Montgomery requires general undergraduate admission to the institution plus declaration or acceptance into the history major. Typical expectations include a completed secondary-school qualification or equivalent, satisfactory academic preparation in humanities and social sciences, and submission of high school transcripts or transfer records. The university may consider standardised test scores as part of an application where applicable; test-optional policies can apply.

Additional considerations for the history major include evidence of written communication skills and readiness for college-level research. Transfer students should provide college transcripts and may receive credit for appropriate prior coursework. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised tests or institutional pathways if English is not their first language.

Career prospects

Graduates with specialised knowledge in medieval and early modern European cultural history develop strong research, critical thinking and written communication skills that suit a range of careers. Common pathways include:

• Archival work, records management and library services
• Museums, galleries and cultural heritage sectors (curation, education, collections management)
• Public history and heritage interpretation, including historic sites and community programming
• Publishing, journalism and media roles that value historical research and narrative skills
• Government, policy and non-profit positions requiring analysis, writing and contextual understanding
• Further study at graduate level in history, medieval studies, library and information science, museum studies, or related fields; law and business schools also attract history graduates
• Teaching at secondary level (note: K–12 certification or additional credentials may be required depending on jurisdiction)

Why study at Auburn University at Montgomery

Auburn University at Montgomery offers a small-campus environment with close access to faculty mentors and opportunities for undergraduate research. The history programme emphasises hands-on training in archival research and public-facing projects, and students benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration across humanities departments. Proximity to state archives, museums and civic institutions provides practical internship and networking possibilities, while the university supports study-abroad and exchange options that are especially valuable for students studying European history on location. Advising and career services help translate historical training into professional pathways or advanced-study preparation.