College

Title

History Department

Subtitle

We Are Making History

Intro text

We learn much about our world, government, culture, and ourselves through the study of history. Blugolds studying history at UW-Eau Claire have the opportunity to complete substantial research projects, take their studies abroad, and intern across the country. See where studying history at UWEC can take you.

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Intro Text

Majors and Minors in History

Our programs are based on student-centered learning, which include hybrid classes, flipped classrooms, and active learning pods. In the History Department, we may study the past, but our work directly impacts the future of our local and global cultures. Find a program that might be the right fit for you.

Africana Studies

Certificate

European Studies

Minor

Global and Comparative History

Certificate

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Health Humanities

Certificate

History

Major | Minor

public museum exhibit with kids and adults

History - Public History Emphasis

Major

History - Special Topics

Graduate Certificate

History of Race, Gender, and Society

Certificate

Master of Arts in History

Graduate Degree

Master of Arts in History - Public History

Graduate Degree

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Teaching - Social Studies, History Emphasis

Major

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Transnational Asian Studies

Certificate

World History and Society: Past, Present, Future

Certificate

Meet the Faculty

Dr. Joanne Jahnke-Wegner

History Department

Assistant Professor

John W. W. Mann, PhD

History Department

Professor

Co-Director of Public History Program

Teresa Sanislo

History Department

Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department

Professor

Meet all the History Department faculty

Hallmarks

History student summer interns in Michigan

Independent Research

All history majors at UW-Eau Claire complete an independent research project for their senior capstone thesis. Many Blugolds also participate in research collaborations with department faculty on national and international topics. This experience sets our graduates apart, giving them a competitive advantage when applying to graduate school and pursuing careers in a variety of fields that require research skills.

Studying History in Other Cultures

Cultural Immersion experiences bring you to new places — either within the U.S. or across the globe — and equip you with a new perspective. These programs are known to be memorable, life changing experiences for many Blugolds. You could learn about history in unique places, such as studying Public History in Great Britain; experiencing Argentina: Culture, Society, and Economics; or going on the Central European Travel Seminar.

Learn more about studying away

Facts List

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24 Programs To Choose From

Whether you want to work in a museum, explore a particular area of history, or teach social studies — you have come to the right place.

Explore A New Campus

Participate in the National Student Exchange Program and choose from 180 schools, including universities in Canada, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.

Student Opportunities

History Honors Program

Studying history at UWEC will increase your ability to build logical arguments, write persuasively, conduct research and so much more. If you want to push yourself even farther, we invite you to apply to our departmental honors program. This is an opportunity to be recognized for excellence as a history student.

Eligibility

Upper-class history and broad field social studies-history, single concentration majors with resident and total GPAs of 3.5 or higher; GPA of 3.5 or higher in history courses; and GPA of 3.75 or higher in HIST 288 and HIST 489 (combined).

Procedure

A written application for Departmental Honors in History should be submitted to the Department Honors Adviser for approval.

Internships

Internships provide future public history practitioners with hands-on real-world experience. All students pursuing degree options in public history are required to complete an internship. We know the experiences gained through internships are invaluable when it comes to securing employment after graduation.

The Wisconsin Historical Society's Northern Field Services Office, which is located in the UWEC History Department, helps students find placements in Wisconsin, while other partners help us to place interns across the nation.

Recent Internship Locations:

The Betts House – Cincinnati, OH
Circus World – Baraboo, WI
Dunn County Historical Society – Menomonie, WI
Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway – Kimberly, WI
Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Townsend, TN
The Green County Historical Society – Monroe, WI
Heritage Hill State Historical Park – Green Bay, WI
Historic Point Basse, Inc. – Nekoosa, WI
History Associates Incorporated – Rockville, MD
The History Museum at the Castle – Appleton, WI
Klondike Gold Rush National Park – Skagway, AK
Marathon County Historical Society – Marathon, WI
Nebraska State Historical Society – Lincoln, NE
The History Center of Olmsted County – Rochester, MN
Pendarvis – Mineral Point, WI
Racine Heritage Museum – Racine, WI

If you are interested in these or any other internship opportunities, we encourage you to talk to your advisor. The knowledge and skills you gain from an internship are an important addition to your coursework and degree within the History Department.

Scholarships

We are proud to have very supportive community members and alumni investing in the students at UWEC via scholarships. Here are scholarships available specifically for history majors:

Edward B. Blackorby Fund
Butterfield American History Scholarship
Gary P. Friedli Memorial Scholarship
History Scholarship
Miller Prize for Outstanding History Papers
Jane M Pederson & Ronald E Mickel History Scholarship
Phi Alpha Theta Scholarship
Herbert and Eleanor Sack Memorial Scholarship

Search these scholarships — and many more — on Gold for Blugolds.

Student Organizations

Joining a student organization specific to history or any other area of interest will allow you to grow as a student and individual through volunteering, teamwork, collaboration, and camaraderie with fellow students.

Interested in extending your passion for history beyond the classroom? Check out these history-focused student organizations:

Phi Alpha Theta - Lambda Omicron
History Graduate Student Association
History Enthusiasts of UWEC

View these student organizations, and all organizations at UWEC, on Blugold Connect+.

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Blugold Stories

Exceptional Support

I would say something that surprised me is how much professors want you to be involved and want to help you out. At UW-Eau Claire, the professors are always telling you when their office hours are. They're always inviting you to events. They're always wanting you to get involved with organizations on campus and events.

Zach Jacobson

Teaching - Social Studies, History Emphasis

Class of 2025

Exceptional Support

Zach smiles at camera in front of black background.

A student on a study abroad program in New Zealand standing at the peak of mountain with a large landscape mountain background

Learning in Action

Countless Opportunities to Explore in New Zealand

Study abroad at Massey University in New Zealand and find your home away from home in one of three unique campuses. Whether you're looking for a vibrant social scene or want to explore the country's capital, this is a perfect program for anyone interested in studying abroad.

Learn more about study abroad experiences at UWEC

Learning in Action

Exceptional Support

I would say something that surprised me is how much professors want you to be involved and want to help you out. At UW-Eau Claire, the professors are always telling you when their office hours are. They're always inviting you to events. They're always wanting you to get involved with organizations on campus and events.

Zach Jacobson

Teaching - Social Studies, History Emphasis

Class of 2025

Exceptional Support

Academic Excellence

Sabrina Massie in a field, smiling with her arms out.

Bringing history to life: Honors student Sabrina Massie

Honors student Sabrina Massie is passionate about making history accessible through public history, with a focus on translating complex topics to everyone. After graduating from UWEC, they plan to pursue a master’s and doctorate in public history, using their Honors experience to encourage critical thinking for future students.

Academic Excellence

An individual holding pictures in library

Here You Can

Come for the Game Nights, Stay for the Friends

Join the History Enthusiasts of UWEC student club to engage in history-related discussions, create connections with like-minded students, and explore interests outside of your degree program.

Learn more about student orgs at UWEC

Here You Can

Only at Eau Claire

Blugold Graduate Students Help Orchestrate Chippewa Valley Visitor Center's First Exhibit

Public history students gained real-world experience assisting with the Chippewa Falls Welcome Center's very first exhibit. The Blugolds created themes around local historic events and took an empty room and made it a one-of-a-kind walk through history.

Only at Eau Claire

Blugold Proud

Faculty, staff recognized at Blugold Breakfast

Chancellor James Schmidt recognized seven faculty and staff members for excellence at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Blugold Breakfast and academic year opening on Aug. 20.

Blugold Proud

Exceptional Support

Finding Support and Success

First-generation college student Crystalina Peterson, a public history major, gained a number of unique experiences in her time at UWEC, including undergraduate research as a McNair scholar and peer diversity educator, to prepare her for graduate school and the professional industry. As a single parent and transfer student from UW-Eau Claire-Barron County, Crystalina knows firsthand the importance of having a solid support system and seeking campus resources in order to fully experience her undergraduate career and successfully obtain her bachelor's degree.

Exceptional Support

Events List