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Humanities

History

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The past is our world. History is our craft.

The study of history uncovers the voices of the past and explains their relevance in today’s world. A thorough knowledge of history helps us understand perspectives from different people, from different places, and different times.

History majors develop unique skills that are vital to engaged citizenship, and to a variety of professions. Many go on to successful careers in law, business, education, social services, filmmaking, and the arts. And as you grow your career as a consultant on a historical TV drama, a reporter for an academic journal, a museum educator, a writer, and many more possibilities, you'll blaze a trail and gain a reputation as a creative thinker and innovative researcher.

When you’re studying history here, you’re surrounded by it—from Revolutionary War battlefields to the country’s oldest African American church, to one of the first feminist publishers. Our Cambridge, MA location also connects you to competitive internships in elite educational settings, museums, and cultural organizations like the Longfellow House, Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, Cambridge Historical Society, Harvard Museum of Natural History, and more.

As a Lesley University history major, you’ll enjoy small, discussion-based classes that allow you to focus on your interests. And, our reimagined general education curriculum will get you ready to succeed in an increasingly complex, diverse, and global world.

Your courses will integrate film, art, culture, and travel, and you can easily pair your major with minors like Africana Studies, Race Gender, and Sexuality Studies, or Digital Filmmaking. Faculty mentors will guide your growth through opportunities to travel abroad, conduct historical research, and professional internships.

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus program

120 Credits
Thinking about transferring here?

Log in to Transferology(link is external), add the courses you've taken, and see how they'll transfer to Lesley University.

“I have always been a humanities student at heart. I believe that those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat it.”
Ian Adler ’16, History Major
Craft Creative Combinations
As a History major, you can pursue a second major or one of our 45+ minors—in art & design or a liberal arts subject—to expand your career opportunities.

Forge your own path with a creative combination:
Gain Skills and Expertise
Here's a taste of what you'll do in our history program:
girl writing in class

Small College, Big University

Within the dynamic environment of a larger university, you'll receive the personalized education of a small liberal arts college of 1,300 students. You'll receive hands-on attention from our specialized faculty, who will share their passion and expertise in everything from creative writing to gender, race, and sexuality studies, and more.

Internships
Where You'll Intern
You'll have the opportunity to gain practical experience before graduation, with at least two internships in places like:
Careers
Where You'll Go Next
Alumni go on to rewarding jobs in a variety of fields, and often pursue graduate study to enhance their careers.
doble campus during the fall

Cambridge is our campus. Boston is our neighbor.

Whether you're studying history, creative writing, or another humanities major at Lesley, you'll take classes on our three beautiful Cambridge campuses. You'll explore passions that you'll weave into your career, whether through art classes in our Lunder Arts Center or science explorations in our state-of-the-art lab. You'll discover the Cambridge and Boston area—a dynamic hub of internships, professional opportunities, service work, culture, and fun that few other cities can match.

Approximate cost, before financial aid, for one year of study in this undergraduate program. Tuition and fees are for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal, state, and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

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