Purdue University

What you'll study

The programme combines broad training in historical methods with specialised courses on medieval and early modern Europe. You will take core historical foundations—chronological surveys, historiography and research methods—alongside topical courses such as Medieval Europe, Renaissance and Reformation, Early Modern Political and Social History, and Cultural and Intellectual History of Europe.

• Core modules: introduction to historical thinking, methods of historical research, historiography and capstone seminar or senior thesis.
• Period and regional modules: courses on the High Middle Ages, late medieval cities and courts, early modern state formation, the European Reformation and the Atlantic world.
• Cultural focus: material culture, art and visual culture, religion and ritual, gender and family life, popular culture and book history.
• Practical and methodological training: palaeography and manuscript studies, archival research, quantitative methods for historians, and digital history tools for mapping and textual analysis.
• Language study: instruction and options to study Latin and modern European languages (for example French, German, Italian) to support primary-source work.
• Electives and interdisciplinarity: options in archaeology, art history, medieval literature, philosophy, and courses in related fields such as anthropology, classics or religious studies.
• Experiential learning: opportunities for internships with libraries, archives and museums, study abroad placements at European partner institutions, and undergraduate research projects under faculty supervision.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically require a completed secondary education credential equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma. Successful candidates demonstrate strong academic performance, especially in humanities subjects, and the ability to write and analyse complex texts.

• Academic record: competitive high-school GPA with rigorous coursework in history, literature and languages where available.
• Application materials: an academic transcript, a personal statement outlining interest in medieval and early modern history, and letters of recommendation—usually from teachers familiar with your academic work.
• Testing and English proficiency: standardised test requirements may vary; non-native English speakers will need to provide recognised evidence of English proficiency.
• Additional preparation: prior study of a foreign language is beneficial, and students with advanced language skills or coursework may place into higher-level language classes; transfer applicants should provide college transcripts and course descriptions for credit evaluation.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with strong research, writing and analytical skills that are valued across many sectors. Typical career paths include roles in cultural institutions, education, public history and policy, as well as further study in graduate school.

• Museums and archives: curatorial assistant, collections management, archival technician or conservation support roles.
• Heritage and public history: interpretation, site management, and programme development for historic sites, nonprofits and cultural organisations.
• Education and academia: secondary-school teaching with appropriate certification or graduate study leading to university-level research and teaching.
• Research, writing and communications: publishing, journalism, grant writing, and roles in think-tanks or cultural policy.
• Other professional routes: law, business and public administration, where employers value the critical thinking and evidence-based argumentation developed in the programme.

Why study at Purdue University

Purdue offers a research-active History Department with faculty expertise in medieval and early modern Europe, combining traditional strengths in archival scholarship with training in digital methods and public engagement. Undergraduates benefit from small seminars, opportunities to work directly with primary sources in university special collections, and structured paths to study abroad in European archives and libraries.

The university emphasises undergraduate research, enabling students to undertake honours projects and collaborate on faculty-led research. Purdue's location and institutional partnerships provide access to regional museums and cultural institutions, while campus resources—libraries, language programmes and career services—support both academic development and transition into internships, employment or graduate study.