Requirements
Want to start right away? Here are some basic requirements for students wanting to major in history. Keep in mind this isn’t the complete list of formal requirement — that list can be found on the Courses of Study page.
- Nine history courses (with a grade of “C” or better)
- Three of the nine courses must be in history before 1800 (Courses that fulfill the Arts & Sciences historical breadth requirement do not necessarily fulfill the History pre-1800 requirement.)
- For the graduating classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021, four of the nine courses must be courses categorized as outside of U.S. History.
- For the graduating class of 2022 and beyond: Four of the nine courses must be taken from one each of the following five categories: Asian, North America, European, Global South (Africa/Caribbean/Latin American and Middle East), and Transregional (Transregional, Comparative, and Methodological).
- Two of the nine courses must be seminars, and one of these seminars must be a 4000-level seminar. Service-learning 4000-level courses, HIST 4001, HIST 4002, may not be used to fulfill the 4000-level seminar requirement.
Sample classes
- History of Law
- Refugees
- History of Exploration: Land, Sea and Space
- Energy in History
Outcomes
All information below is based on the 2022 First-Destination Post-Graduate Survey. Lists are not exhaustive, rather they are a sampling of the data. If you would like more information, please email as_careers@cornell.edu
What can you do with a degree in History?
Graduate school:
In 2022, 27% of history majors embarked on graduate school journeys. They pursued various advanced degrees, with 28% focusing on their JD, 21% working towards an MA, 15% dedicated to an MS, and more. Their graduate field interest ranges from law (30%) to history (9%) and education (6%).
These ambitious individuals have chosen to continue their education at prestigious institutions like Boston University, Columbia University, Duke University, the University of Chicago, and Yale University.
Employment:
63% of history graduates secured employment, and the majority entered sectors in financial services (17%), education (15%), and consulting/professional practice (14%). Teach for America was the top 2022 employer.
Where 2022 History Graduates Work
| Employer | Job Titles |
|---|---|
| Alston & Bird LLP | Litigation Paralegal |
| Bain & Company | Associate Consultant |
| Barclays | Equity Trading Analyst |
| Becky Grossman for Congress | Deputy Political Director |
| Brooklyn District Attorney's Office | Paralegal |
| Deloitte Consulting | Associate Analyst |
| Goldman Sachs | Investment Banking Analyst |
| Kapitus | Paralegal |
| Proskauer Rose LLP | Paralegal |
| Steptoe & Johnson LLP | Paralegal |
