As a history major at Suffolk University, you’ll develop strong critical analysis, research, and writing skills while exploring a diverse range of historical periods and themes, including public history. Suffolk is home to the only undergraduate public history concentration in Boston—which means our students are highly sought after for jobs and internships by historical institutions, community history organizations, and museums throughout the city and region.
Our hands-on approach to history and downtown location means your courses will include site-based field trips to visit historical sites, museums, and landmarks in the city. Working closely with your faculty advisor, you’ll choose a concentration in public history, regional and global history, or United States history and map out an academic path that prepares you for graduate studies or a fulfilling career in museums, historic sites, non-profits, law, education, government, and more.
As a history major, you will:
You won’t just study your major—you’ll experience it through hands-on learning opportunities.
In this major, students can earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in History. Our flexible curriculum combines broad survey courses of U.S. and global history with advanced electives that span a wide range of regions, time periods, and methodologies. As a history major, you’ll pick a concentration in either public history, regional and global history, or US history—though you’ll have numerous opportunities to take history electives outside your area of specialization, as well. Your studies will then culminate in a senior capstone experience of your choosing: a for-credit internship or semester- or year-long research project.
Public History is both a field of study and a career path that emphasizes the many ways that history is put to work in the world. Public historians work in a variety of jobs, including government, museums, historic sites, libraries and archives, media companies, historic preservation, and community activism. This concentration is the only such undergraduate concentration in the metropolitan area. Many of our students have gone on to successful public history careers.
In the Regional and Global Histories Concentration you will examine the histories of Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Your studies will emphasize the inter-related histories of these continents, nation states located on each, global migrations and diasporas, and economic globalization past and present.
The United States History Concentration addresses diverse topics ranging from the histories of indigenous peoples and colonial seaports to the American Revolution, slavery, and the Civil War; the histories of African Americans, women and workers; and the emergence of the modern American state throughout the Progressive Era, Great Depression, 20th-century wars, and recent political polarization.
View the History Major Curriculum
Expand your depth and breadth of history knowledge with a minor in history. To complete the minor, you’ll take one introductory course on global or US history and four electives in any area of interest.
View the History Minor Curriculum
History students complement their skills with courses, minors, and double majors in areas such as:
At Suffolk, you’ll step out of class and directly onto Boston’s storied Freedom Trail. Follow in the footsteps of America’s revolutionary founders to landmarks like the Old North Church, the Bunker Hill Monument, and the site of the infamous Boston Massacre. Explore sites along the Underground railroad and the abolitionist movement throughout Beacon Hill and at the Museum of African American History. Study globally significant sites for local and international communities at the Holocaust Memorial, Chinese Historical Society of New England, and the STEM History Trail. Encounter landmarks to women’s history, indigenous history, LGBTQ history, and immigration just steps from our campus.
You’ll be just a short walk or train ride from dozens of world-class museums and historic sites specializing in local, national, and global culture, including:
History majors also serve as mentors and guides during Suffolk’s Summer Public History Institute, an immersive 2-week experience for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
As a history major at Suffolk, you’ll be welcomed into a community of collaborative and curious lifelong learners. We encourage you to explore the past, make the most of the present, and prepare for your future through activities on and off campus, such as:
As you tour museums and historic sites around Boston, you’ll notice a common thread—Suffolk students and alumni working at all levels to tell the complex stories of a vibrant city steeped in history. Our graduates share their passion for the past and apply historical insights to contemporary issues through rewarding careers in museums and archives, and in fields like government, education, and law.
You’ll refine your career goals with the help of faculty mentors, your peer and alumni network, and through hands-on internship experience. Our students secure internships at more than 20 historical sites and institutions in the region, including recent placements at:
The Career Center will help you explore career options, plan your path, and land your dream internship or job. You’ll find practical help, like how to write an effective résumé or LinkedIn profile, along with valuable connections to leading employers and successful alumni. Our industry-specific Career Community also provides events and information tailored just for our students.
Here's a sampling of recent graduates’ current job titles and employers.
Graduates of our program have gone on to pursue advanced degrees in museum studies, history, public history, and archival management at prestigious institutions like Tufts University, University of Edinburgh, Harvard Extension School, New York University, Fordham University, Simmons University, and the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Professor & Department Chair of History, Language & Global Culture
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