Idaho State University

What you'll study

The programme combines intensive study of medieval and early modern European societies with advanced training in historical methods and research. Core work covers topics such as medieval political and religious institutions, the cultural history of the High Middle Ages, Renaissance intellectual and artistic movements, Reformation and confessional cultures, book history and print culture, and the social history of early modern Europe. Students also engage with comparative and interdisciplinary approaches, including legal and economic history, gender and family histories, material culture, and the history of science and religion.

Typical course formats include small seminars, source-based readings, and research workshops. You will develop language competence for primary-source research (commonly Latin and one modern European language), and take classes in historiography and advanced methods such as palaeography, archival research techniques, and digital tools for historical scholarship. The curriculum supports either a thesis route, which culminates in an original research thesis supervised by faculty, or a non-thesis option that emphasises coursework and a substantial research project or practicum in public history.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a bachelor's degree in history or a closely related discipline with a competitive undergraduate record. Admissions typically require a statement of purpose explaining your research interests, a writing sample (such as a seminar paper demonstrating analytical engagement with primary or secondary sources), and two or three academic or professional letters of recommendation. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through standard tests unless exempt.

Some background in European history and at least one foreign language relevant to medieval/early modern sources is strongly recommended. The department reviews applications holistically and may consider relevant professional experience, prior research, or graduate-level coursework in place of some formal prerequisites.

Career prospects

• Doctoral study and academic careers in history and related fields.
• Museum and curatorial work, including collections management and interpretive programming focused on historical materials.
• Archivist and records management positions in public and private archives, libraries and cultural institutions.
• Public history and heritage roles, such as historic site administration, exhibit design, and community history projects.
• Teaching at secondary level (often in combination with appropriate certification), and educational outreach or curriculum development.
• Publishing, research consultancy, and roles in cultural policy, non-profit organisations and government that value research, writing and critical thinking.

Why study at Idaho State University

Idaho State's History programme emphasises close faculty mentorship and small seminar-style classes that let students pursue focused research in medieval and early modern Europe. The department supports hands-on training in archival methods, palaeography and the use of digital tools for humanities research, and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration with related fields such as classics, religious studies and anthropology.

Students benefit from a supportive campus research environment, access to regional and university library holdings, and opportunities for internships or public-history practicum with partner cultural organisations. The programme is structured to be flexible for students planning PhD study as well as those seeking careers outside the academy, providing both rigorous research training and practical experience in stewardship and communication of historical knowledge.