History Degree at Aquinas College

Discover History at Aquinas

History Degree at Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, MichiganAs a history major at Aquinas College, by the time you complete your education, you will have a broad knowledge of World, European, and American History. Explore significant texts and literature through a critical lens, from primary sources who themselves lived through major historical events to contemporary historians who are experts in their fields. Your sharpened skills of historical analysis and assessment of sources will translate across disciplines and careers.

Our faculty are ready to support you all the way to commencement, guiding you through lectures, assignments, hands-on learning experiences, and original research. Join a talented and successful group of history majors and minors past and present at AQ!

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It's Your Time to Shine

 

Successful majors in history will complete their education with:

  1. A broad knowledge of World, European, and American history.
  2. A facility with language that will enable them to express themselves effectively in narrative and analytical modes of writing.
  3. Critical thinking skills honed by historical analysis that will transfer to other disciplines and professions.
  4. The ability to classify and assess different types of historical literature.
  5. A clear understanding of the role of interpretation in history and familiarity with the Western tradition of historical interpretation.
  6. Students will refine and develop their research skills.
Name Title Department Phone
Christopher Breay Adjunct Professor History
Jason Duncan Professor History (616) 632-2837
Chad Gunnoe Professor, Department Chair History (616) 632-2834
Bethany Kilcrease Professor History (616) 632-2429

Career Preparation based on leadership

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Student Projects

Check out the current and past research that Aquinas students do with faculty to further the world's knowledge.

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Phi Alpha Theta

Phi Alpha Theta brings students, teachers, and writers of history together, both intellectually and socially.

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History Resources

The History Department has compiled helpful research tools, texts, and resources for History students.

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History Club

The history club is a dynamic organization devoted to promoting historical literacy and to facilitating interaction between students and faculty. We have fun while enhancing historical awareness.

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Student Research

 

Check out the current and past research that Aquinas students do with faculty to further the world's knowledge.Read More about Student Research

 

IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES

Where are they now? Recent and Current Positions Held by Aquinas History Graduates

  • Museum work
  • Gallery owner
  • Media library and post production studio manager
  • Business managers
  • Lawyers
  • Law clerk
  • Reference and instruction librarian
  • Officers in the military
  • GIS analysts
  • Staff member for Senator Debbie Stabenow
  • Learning Center Coordinator for Michigan Supreme Court
  • Pastoral associate (St. Pius X Church)
  • Newspaper editor (Ionia Sentinel-Standard)
  • Sports writer for MLive
  • Editorial fellow for Pacific Historical Review
  • Musician and producer
  • Technical writer (Smiths Aerospace)
  • Soccer coach (Embry Riddle Aeronautical University)
  • Collections intern at Harvard’s Semitic Museum
  • Museum specialist for Boston National Historical Park
  • Museum specialist for Yellowstone National Park
  • Membership Manager at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History Foundation in Albuquerque
  • Tour guide for Know Your City Portland, Oregon
  • Grad school (both masters and PhD programs)
  • Law school
  • History professors (including Loras College, University of Alabama, and Texas Tech University)
  • High school teachers
  • ESL teachers

EXPLORE CAREERS

Occupational Employment and Wages - May 2023

Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for Historians:

Employment Mean hourly wage Mean annual wage
3,040 $36.60 $76,120

 

Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:

Percentile 10% 25% 50% 75% 90%
Hourly Wage $17.19 $24.86 $35.04 $44.99 $59.96
Annual Wage $35,760 $51,720 $72,890 $93,580 $124,720

For more information see: Bureau of Labor Statistics

 

Student Profiles

Accelerated Masters in Arts in History

Aquinas College students may be able to transfer six undergraduate credits (non-entry level) from AQ to Western Michigan University toward their Master of Arts (MA) in History degree.

Decorated graduation cap reading "All Thanks to the Stars Who taught me how to Shine"

Alumni Profiles

AQ grads are thankful for the small class sizes that allow them to form personal relationships with professors.