Why Major in History at PBA?
The study of history has collective importance. Historical events influence our day-to-day lives and inform our decision-making for tomorrow. The Bachelor of Arts in History program at Palm Beach Atlantic University encourages you to faithfully examine American and global history, along with Christianity’s role within it.
Here, you uncover truths and investigate unknowns in the historical record through rigorous classroom study, individual research projects, global experiences, and our Phi Beta Theta chapter—the American honor society for students and professors of history.
- Guided by Faith: Our faculty frame the grand sweep of human history, actions, and endeavors within a compelling Christian perspective.
- Enriching Location: Find professional opportunities and deepen your learning at the nearby Palm Beach County Historical Society, Norton Museum of Art, and Flagler Museum.
- Undergraduate Research: Design and conduct research into your areas of passion—a recent graduate published on trench newspaper publishing in WWI!
- Immersive Study Abroad: Spend a semester deep in the history of Oxford, Edinburgh, or St. Andrews, and join archeology trips to Italy and Ireland.
What You’ll Learn
Through the bachelor’s in history degree program, you learn to:
- Demonstrate research skills
- Distinguish and analyze key concepts and time periods throughout American history
Prepared for Graduate Studies
Advance beyond your B.A. in History, emboldened to dig deeper, progress further, and uncover truths that few before you have considered seeking. The history major provides extensive preparation for graduate- and postgraduate-level research, teaching, and learning at some of the most distinguished institutions in the country and around the world. Launch a bright future alongside fellow PBA history alumni at places like:
- University of Michigan
- University of Florida
- Florida State University
- Florida Atlantic University
- Baylor University
- Pepperdine Law
- Fuller Seminary
- Catholic University
- Indiana University Law
- Wake Forest University
- Tufts University
- University of Central Florida
Program Details
Invest in your curiosity and think critically about the world as it is, as it was, and as it will be. The history major challenges you to combine elements of historical study with other subjects—ancient and modern—through a biblical lens. Your minor or second major, such as the secondary education minor, further expands your worldview and opens new career opportunities.
The threads of history are woven through every subject and every passion. At PBA, we ask you to engage with a minor or second major that complements your history major, shines a light on new perspectives, and encourages you to connect historical through-lines across disciplines.
Cultivate broader familiarity across the spectrum of expertise in our one-of-a-kind Faith, Roots, and Reason core. In a variety of general education courses, you widen your understanding of history while developing the skills and experience necessary to be a professional, faithful, and civic-minded citizen of the world.
Lay foundational understandings of history in the United States, Europe, and Christianity, then advance to study upper-level topics that pique your interest. Dive into specialized courses in Florida history, American minorities, modern terrorism, the ancient Mediterranean, modern Africa, and more.
Work toward teaching licensure for grades 6–12 in the secondary education minor. This abbreviated teacher training option prepares you for the Florida Teacher Certification Exams, including the subject area examination for social science. Review the secondary education minor course list.
History Careers
Studying history equips you with unique skills for interpreting texts, inferring ideas, and handling complex matters of ancestry, provenance, and precedent. Intern with nearby historical societies (like the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, the Norton Museum of Art, and the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach), conduct original research, and network with our Phi Beta Theta chapter. By learning hands-on, you prepare yourself for diverse professional settings and high-impact graduate programs.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects occupations like archivists, curators, and museum workers to increase by 10% over the next decade, but history majors excel in many types of professional work. Our graduates are making their mark at places like:
- University of Michigan
- WalMart Corporate Archives
- Peace Corps
- Palm Beach County Schools
- U.S. Navy
- Gunster Law
