History

Our history program is based on an age-old approach:

• Rigorous, in-depth research
• Classical readings
• Writing convincingly and clearly

Streamlined and efficient, our history major enables you to take on a second major. In fact, you can earn your degree in three years and get preferential admission consideration for select master's programs at Lipscomb. 

Currently, nearly 20% of all history graduates are employed in management positions in business, earning salaries that are comparable to those of their non-history peers. Another 20% are employed in secondary and primary education, as teachers, administrators and librarians. Nearly 12% go to law school, something made easy by the fact that history is among the top five majors for LSAT scores, with an average of 157, placing them well ahead of business, psychology and even pre-law graduates. When it's all tallied up, a decade after graduation the average history graduate is no more likely to be unemployed and is just about as well paid as the average business or biology major.

A list of the notables who have majored in history is extensive, including three current Supreme Court Justices, seven American presidents, the recent CEOs of IBM, Goldman Sachs, Proctor and Gamble, Chrysler, Hewlett Packard, and American Express.  Presidents FDR and 'Teddy' Roosevelt, Conan O'Brien, Martha Stewart, Joe Biden, Henry Kissinger, Steve Carrell, Katherine Hepburn, Ayn Rand, and too many others to count majored in history and accomplished great things. You can, too.

History, Politics and Philosophy students are exceptionally well prepared for continuing their educations in graduate school or law school. Recent graduates have gone onto study at some of the best institutions in the country, including Ivy League schools, often with full-tuition fellowships.

In stressing both skills and breadth of knowledge, our students combine the best of a pre-professional education with the rich and full tradition of a liberal arts education. Graduate and law schools emphasize strong verbal, writing, and analytical skills and a sophisticated understanding of the social, political, economic and cultural context of our society.  History students embody these characteristics.

The history program has partnered with the College of Business and the College of Leadership and Public Service to offer an innovative "3-then-1" pathway that would enable ambitious Lipscomb students to complete an undergraduate degree in History in three academic years. During their final semester, they would receive preferential consideration for admission to Lipscomb's one-year master's program in the College of Business or the one-year master's program in the College of Leadership and Public Service. If admitted to one of these programs, and upon successful completion of it, students in the "3-then-1" pathway will earn a bachelor's degree in history, and a master's degree in either Business, Conflict Management, or Leadership & Public Service in only four years. For more information, contact one of the undergraduate advisors in the Department of History, Politics and Philosophy.

Education Level(s) Offered: Secondary (6-12)

Let us ready you to be a middle or high school teacher. As a history teaching major, you will learn important skills and information to instruct students about the world's past.

Want to learn more about obtaining your History  Teaching degree? Explore the undergraduate degree process to become a teacher.

How to become a history teacher