Florida State University

What you'll study

This programme combines core training in historical methods with specialised courses on medieval and early modern Europe. You will study political and social transformations, religious movements, intellectual currents, material culture, and the development of institutions across roughly the fifth to the eighteenth centuries. Coursework emphasises primary-source analysis, palaeography and critical interpretation alongside secondary literature.

• Core history methods: historiography, research methods, archival research, and seminar writing.
• Regional and chronological surveys: courses on the Early Middle Ages, High and Late Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation, and the early modern state.
• Cultural and thematic modules: religion and society, gender and family, law and governance, urban life, book history and print culture, art and material culture.
• Language study: sustained training in one or more modern or classical languages relevant to research (commonly French, German, Latin, or Spanish), which is strongly encouraged for primary-source work.
• Electives and seminars: specialised topics such as crusading and pilgrimage, medieval theology, early modern science, or the history of childhood; small-capacity seminars emphasise original research projects.
• Capstone or senior project: an advanced research project or thesis that demonstrates ability to analyse primary sources and engage with scholarly literature.
• Experiential learning: internship opportunities with archives, museums, and cultural institutions; study-abroad programmes that enable work with European archives and collections.

Structure

The degree follows a liberal-arts framework: general education requirements are combined with lower-division surveys and upper-division specialised seminars. Students typically complete language sequences early in the programme and move into research-based seminars and a senior capstone in the final year. Advising allows students to tailor the degree toward research, teaching, public history, or combined majors/minors.

Entry requirements

Applicants must meet Florida State University’s general undergraduate admissions standards. Typical successful candidates present a strong secondary-school academic record with demonstrated strengths in humanities subjects such as history and English. Preparatory coursework in world history, literature, and foreign languages is recommended. For transfer applicants, evidence of college-level coursework in history and a competitive GPA will be important.

International applicants must demonstrate equivalent academic preparation and meet English language proficiency requirements as determined by the university. Applicants intending to pursue advanced research should show evidence of language study or willingness to complete language training as part of the degree.

Career prospects

Graduates with a BA in History focusing on Medieval and Early Modern European Cultural History pursue a wide range of careers. The degree develops skills in research, critical thinking, writing and language that are valued across sectors.

• Academic and research paths: graduate study in history, medieval studies, art history, religious studies or related fields leading to careers in teaching and scholarship.
• Museums and cultural heritage: curatorial work, collections management, conservation support, and interpretive programming at museums and historic sites.
• Archives and libraries: archival processing, special collections, digital curation and public-access services.
• Public history and communications: roles in interpretation, public programming, historic preservation, and cultural tourism.
• Government, law and policy: research, analysis and communication roles in government agencies, NGOs and law-related careers where analytical and writing skills are central.
• Publishing and media: editing, content development, and research for publishing houses, documentary production and digital history projects.

Why study at Florida State University

Florida State University offers a broad liberal-arts environment with a Department of History that provides both survey breadth and opportunities for specialised study in European history. Students benefit from small upper-division seminars, faculty mentorship, and access to strong campus research resources including Strozier Library and its special collections and rare books. Interdisciplinary links with Classics, Religious Studies, Art History and International Studies allow students to customise their programme to suit research interests.

FSU also supports experiential learning through study-abroad options and internships with museums, archives and cultural institutions, enabling hands-on experience with primary sources and public-facing historical work. Advising and career services help students translate historical training into postgraduate study or a variety of professional pathways.