CAREERS AND HISTORY ALUMNI
Why Study History or Art History?
The Department’s course offerings seek to cultivate multiple intellectual and methodological perspectives and equip students with the tools to better understand the present. Our graduate courses similarly explore and study power, identity and difference in societies at different times and places.
History Majors develop research, writing and analysis skills, along with organization and managerial skills. Employers who hire history majors include government agencies, public interest groups, financial institutions and law firms. Some of the careers open to individuals are correspondent, columnist, legal profession, and corporate management.
Professional Development
Our recent graduates have worked in the federal government, including jobs at the Federal Trade Commission, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Department of Defense.
They have also worked in higher education, public history and private business.
Recent graduates from the Department of History may be found in a wide variety of fields:
History majors are:
- Continuing their studies at the Villanova School of Law; Duke Law School; Georgetown Law Center; the Public History Master's program at American University and the Public History Master's program at NYU.
- Working as a grant writer and public historian at historic sites and museums around the country.
- Teaching history and social studies in public and private secondary schools.
- Working in private business for companies such as Bristol-Myers Squibb and CCI Consulting.
Art History majors are:
- Working as Assistant Digital Librarian at Villanova's Falvey Library.
- Teaching at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
- Head of the Art Department at the Community College of Philadelphia.
- Working at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, The Seattle Art. Museum, and at the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco.
- Pursuing a law degree at Fordham University.
History MAs are:
- Pursuing a PhD in History with full fellowships at Northwestern. University, Arizona State University, the University of Rochester, Rutgers University, Notre Dame University, Georgetown University, Penn State University, the University of Delaware, the University of Oregon and the University of Tennessee.
- Teaching history and social studies at high schools across Pennsylvania and the region.
- Holding tenured or tenure track positions at Virginia Tech, Syracuse University, University of Scranton and York College.
- Holding positions in higher education administration as the Manager of Advancement Services and Records at the University of Dallas.
The History Department, like most departments of the College of Arts & Sciences, offers qualified students the opportunity to integrate theory and research with practical experience through the Internship Program.
The program is designed to help undergraduate students build a relationship with professionals in the private and public sector, make informed career choices, experience an organization without a lengthy obligation, and discover long-term interests and aspirations.
The American Historical Association is the largest professional organization serving historians in all fields and all professions. The AHA is a trusted voice advocating for history education, the professional work of historians, and the critical role of historical thinking in public life. Learn more about AHA.
Graduation and Graduate School
Each year some of our students attend graduate school—continuing their education in challenging graduate programs in a variety of specialized fields. These include history, archeology, public history, law and security studies.
The Villanova History Graduate Program offers an MA and a number of certificates and combined programs.
