History

As a Hastings College history major, you’ll learn about topics from early modern pirates to contemporary college sports, have the opportunity to intern in museums, congressional offices and churches, and produce two works of original research.

Plus our graduates have accepted:

Fulbright Fellowships to teach English in Romania;
Enjoyed the Peace Corps in places like Indonesia; and
Attended graduate schools at Boston College, University of Missouri-Columbia, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University and others.

Our majors are also working working for libraries, art studios, museums, churches and universities.

Hastings College History alumni land in all these places, where their capacity to analyze and communicate sets them apart.

Develop a deep understanding of history

With professors actively engaged in diverse research projects and committed to classroom excellence, you’ll build a deeper understanding of the past, which impacts the present and, yes, your future! At the same time, you’ll develop sound communication and analytical skills – critical components for a successful and meaningful life.

So, polish your reading, writing and discussion skills as you practice the historian’s craft. Through widely varied departmental offerings in terms of subject material and approach to the past, you’ll analyze primary sources, synthesize secondary sources and express ideas in written and oral form. Your senior seminar research project pulls all your experiences together into a presentation you may offer at the Missouri Valley History Conference or at a Phi Alpha Theta National History Honorary conference.

Create your future

See for yourself how we tailor your education to your talents and your goals. Schedule a visit and we’ll demonstrate how Hastings will inspire you to reach your potential, or if you’re a high school senior, apply today.

Go further with a Hastings education

Thanks to our small class sizes (most have fewer than 20 students!), and a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, you’ll work closely with faculty and your advisor to complete your degree in four years. In fact, most students who graduate from Hastings do so in four years!

Our block-style semester structure means you’ll take just one or two classes at a time — which really lets you focus more intently on each class. It also lets faculty devote more time to every student because they’re only teaching one or two classes in a block!

Graduate with experience

Along your path, you’ll appreciate the stepping stones of teaching, counseling, inspiring, supporting and guiding from our engaged faculty. It’s an experience that’s true to Hastings College, and you won’t find it anywhere else.

- - - Press internship with U.S. Senator inspires Musgrave to pursue policy
    - Whetstone combines love of architecture and history at Hastings College

All the extras aren't extra

Maximize scholarships — Yes, you’ll get an academic scholarship. But you’ll also get an additional “plus one” scholarship from the group, team or area you’re part of. It’s a great way to pay for school, but also find “your people.”

Books included — Afraid of a $400 textbook? No more! We’ve eliminated the high cost of text books by working with our bookstore to provide all required textbooks. This will save you $1,000 or more each year.

iPad + Apple Pencil — We’ll set you up with an iPad and Apple Pencil — and help you learn how to incorporate these tools into your studies. From digital notes to pictures of lab setups, you’ll discover creative ways to use this technology!

Get involved beyond the history classroom

Alpha Chi (Academic Honor Society)
Phi Alpha Theta (National History Honorary)

In addition to Alpha Chi and Phi Alpha Theta, there’s always something to do at Hastings. Student clubs, service learning, Greek life, recreation and more make Hastings a great campus for student life.

Find scholarships for history majors

Your high school achievements can both fuel and fund your success at Hastings. We offer a range of generous and renewable academic scholarships based on your GPA. Plus, we offer talent scholarships for everything from speech (forensics) to the arts to athletics. The result? Every student receives at least $12,000 in scholarships (but most receive more!).