To change the future, one must understand the past.  A degree in history helps us to understand how people and societies behave and their motivations for their actions.  From this fundamental basis, we can understand change and how the society came to be.  It also sparks a moral understanding of a society’s motivations, which is essential for good citizenship.  The study of history thus plays a vital role in understanding the present and shaping what is to come.  A history B.A. helps students cultivate analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills they can apply in many professions.  It provides a solid base from which undergraduates can move into a wide variety of specialized programs in graduate or professional schools, or into a teaching career. Beyond these, the study of history has provided the background for thousands of the nation's most successful lawyers, journalists, government administrators, authors, performing artists, ministers, and politicians.  Please contact Dr. Erik Carlson (ecarlson@fgcu.edu), History Program Leader, for more information regarding our B.A. in History. 

FGCU's history M.A. program cultivates our students’ skills in historical research and helps them develop a sophisticated and complex understanding of a range of historical events, issues, and debates within a global context. Our program will prepare students for further academic study (e.g., Ph.D. programs in history or related subjects) and equip them with the necessary skills to think critically, communicate effectively, and practice history in various capacities in the public and private sectors.  Students can take courses in U.S. history—with a focus on topics in African-American, military and diplomatic, Florida, or public history—as well as World history— with a focus on Latin America, the Caribbean, Medieval and Early Modern Europe, Africa, or Asia. Students can select a thesis or non-thesis option. Classes take place in small seminar sessions that emphasize discussion and shared learning, and graduate students are given the opportunity to work closely with our distinguished faculty members.  Please contact Dr. Michael Cole (mcole@fgcu.edu), Graduate Program Leader, for more information regarding our M.A. in History.