Recommendations for studying history in the USA?

History is a passion of mine, and I'm looking to major in it. Which universities in the USA have notable history departments? I'm also curious about what careers I can pursue with a history degree.

There are numerous institutions in the USA which offer robust and reputed history programs. To narrow down which might be of the most interest to you, you'll want to consider a variety of factors. Think about what elements are important to you in a program: do you want a school with strong archives you can access, a wide variety of course offerings, renowned professors, or a particular geographic focus, for example?

Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University are some of the top schools for history in the US as per various rankings, offering various sub-disciplines of history and faculty that includes numerous leading scholars in different history fields. Additionally, schools like the University of California, Berkeley, and Princeton University also have highly-regarded history departments. In each of these programs, you can expect to engage in rigorous study that will prepare you well for a number of careers.

As for what you can do career-wise with a history degree, the options are quite vast. Many history majors go on to pursue careers in law, journalism, education, or public policy. Others find work in museums, doing archival work, or even working in the government as researchers. Business and marketing can also be avenues, as history assists in understanding human behavior and trends.

Essentially, the skills you learn and develop as a history major—research, writing, critical thinking, analysis— are highly transferrable and valued in many fields, not just ones directly related to history. Try to consider what you enjoy about studying history and where you can see those skills and passions lining up in a career.