Your history degree at Winston-Salem State University will inspire and challenge you to critically evaluate the world. You’ll learn to analyze and explain human experiences, ideas and institutions over time, using your knowledge of the past to make a difference in your community today.
Over four years at our Piedmont Triad campus — many classes are also available online, for your convenience — you’ll master creative and analytical skills that will make you a competitive candidate for history major jobs as well as other fields. Many of our history graduates enjoy successful careers as journalists, writers and other creative professions. Others pursue graduate studies in fields such as history, divinity, law and education.
History degree concentrations at Winston-Salem State University
Deepen your expertise in a particular area by choosing one of four concentrations for your studies:
Your WSSU bachelor’s degree in history will give you strong research, collaboration and communication skills, preparing you to solve problems using holistic, empathetic approaches.
If you’re wondering what you can do with history degrees, at Winston-Salem State you’ll find out firsthand — from your lower-division Social Movements course to your upper-division archival research and internships. Many students also participate in service-learning internships, typically in the areas of public history, digital humanities or museum studies, gaining real-world experience for their future history major jobs.
Our history faculty make Winston-Salem State one of the best schools for history majors. Our history degree professors — who are also active scholars — are nationally recognized as experts in a range of fields, from African American labor history to Islamic economic history.
As they mentor you throughout your WSSU bachelor’s degree in history, your professors will share the lessons they’ve learned from their varied experiences. For example, one WSSU historian is leading the only African American Urban Public History project in North Carolina established by a city council; another faculty member is the founding editor of the internationally recognized Journal of African Military History.Many WSSU history degree students participate in public history-related research and digitization of sources in the WSSU O’Kelly Library Archive or special research projects for the City of Winston-Salem and other local organizations. All WSSU history majors complete a research thesis during their sophomore and senior years, as well as a junior-level course in Historiography or Materials & Methods in African American History.
Many WSSU history alumni teach honors social studies and history in North Carolina high schools. A number of our history degree graduates are public historians, and a few recent WSSU history majors are commissioned officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.
History major jobs span a wide range of fields, including:
100% of our history majors are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. 60% of workers with a bachelor’s degree in history are employed in jobs requiring at least a bachelor’s, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Earning your WSSU history degree is an investment in your career options.
Winston-Salem State is among the best schools for history majors, in part due to our specialized topical courses, which are not available at our sister HBCUs in North Carolina. Unique course topics include:
Get all the benefits of a top-tier research institution in a community-oriented HBCU environment with topical courses normally taught at the postgraduate level, such as:
In addition to these specialty areas, your WSSU history degree will give you a strong foundation in the skills necessary for historical research:
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Join our “Ramily” and become part of a like-minded community of people who care about using our skills to advance social justice and equity. In addition to university-wide student organizations and Greek life options, WSSU history degree students join a network of more than 40,000 undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professors, in Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society. |
The WSSU degree in history is one of the most affordable history degrees in the University of North Carolina System. You can also apply for a variety of scholarships based on both need and merit. Learn more about paying for college and your financial aid options here. |
As soon as you enter the WSSU history program, you’ll receive career advising to help you make the most of your academic plans. We’ll support you with personalized mentoring for applications to graduate schools, internships and employment opportunities. Learn more about the Department of History, Politics and Social Justice. |
Attending WSSU developed me as a scholar in various ways, from forming close ties with professors to diversifying my perspectives and ideologies, all while affording me the opportunity to learn in a safe space for Black students.
