Program Overview
A Bachelor of Arts in History at Youngstown State University prepares students to understand the patterns of the past and apply that knowledge to real-world challenges across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. History is more than memorizing dates — it’s analyzing documents, identifying sources, interpreting complex contexts, making evidence-based arguments, and communicating with clarity. These are skills valued across careers in education, research, law, business, AI, public service, politics, media, cultural preservation, and more.
The History program at YSU emphasizes rigorous research, critical thinking, and applied learning. Students are provided outside opportunities with trips to local historical sites, professional and social extracurriculars, and internships with institutions such as the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry & Labor, the Butler Institute of American Art, Braceville African-American Heritage Museum, and the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial Museum. An investigative capstone project allows students to synthesize their skills and demonstrate mastery while gaining professional research and data presentation experience.
Speak to a Faculty Member
Dr. Loren Lease, Department Chair
Dr. Brian Bonhomme, Professor
Upcoming Events:
History majors develop a deep understanding of historical processes and the contexts that shape societies and institutions. The curriculum balances content knowledge with methodological training in research and writing. Students build competencies in conducting research using primary and secondary sources, analyzing complex texts and historical evidence, crafting well-supported written and oral arguments, connecting historical knowledge to contemporary social and cultural questions, and applying interdisciplinary reasoning to real-world issues.
The Bachelor of Arts in History includes a wide variety of courses, so students can craft their curriculum to their own tastes and interests. Think locally with History of Ohio, or globally with How to Conquer the World: Britain and Its Empire. Discover your historical niche and learn to apply it with courses such as Practicum in Historical Preservation. Students explore topics including world and American history, the constitutional history of the United States, environmental and global history, museum curation and interpretation, and historic preservation. Students then complete a senior capstone, on the topic of their choice. One recent graduate wrote, “From Belchertown to Brookfield, the Life and Times of Elijah Sikes: Gravestone Carver of the Western Reserve.” One graduate, Sean Posey, went on to write the historical novel, Lost Youngstown, based on his master’s thesis.
A history degree provides a flexible, transferable skill set applicable across many professions. Employers value history graduates for their ability to research complex information, evaluate evidence, synthesize ideas, and communicate effectively. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals with a bachelor’s degree in history work across occupations, including education, management, business, legal services, AI, government, and cultural institutions.
YSU graduates have gone on to curate the local Arms Museum, report for the Star Beacon, become the director of Jewish Studies at
Kent State University, and much more. A history degree provides strong preparation for work in education, public service, research, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector fields that rely on analytical and communication skills. History degree holders may also choose to broaden their skill set by continuing their education through master’s and doctoral programs, further opening doors to a
broader range of opportunities.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that historians earned a median annual wage of approximately $63,940. Related fields commonly entered by history graduates include education and library occupations, management roles, and business and communication-focused positions. These occupations value skills developed through historical study, including research, writing, critical analysis, and contextual reasoning.
YSU’s History program emphasizes applied learning through research projects, writing-intensive coursework, and a senior capstone experience. Courses such as Museum Curation and Interpretation allow students to apply historical knowledge to public-facing contexts, including archives, exhibits, and community history initiatives. Academic advising helps students align their coursework with career goals, whether they are preparing for graduate study, teaching, law, public service, or careers in business and nonprofit organizations.
If you are interested in understanding how the past informs the present and want a degree that builds research, writing, and analytical skills used across many careers, the Bachelor of Arts in History at Youngstown State University offers a flexible and valuable foundation.
Each year, thousands of dollars in scholarships are awarded to students enrolled in the Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education (BCLASSE). Scholarships come from a variety of sources, vary in amount, and are available to both incoming and current BLCASSE students. Below, you will find further information regarding the opportunities that may be available to you through the college.
