Department of History

Understanding how we got here

History at NAU is more than a study of dates and events. It’s a way of understanding humanity. You’ll explore how ideas and movements connect across time and place, while uncovering the social forces that continue to shape our world today.

A degree in history opens doors to a career in politics, entrepreneurship, advocacy, education, and more. You’ll become someone who understands that a sense of the past is essential to creating meaningful futures.

Why study History at NAU

At NAU’s Department of History, you’ll explore the histories of the U.S. Southwest and beyond, connecting stories of Native American communities and the U.S.-Mexico Borderlands to global themes like empire, race, gender, politics, and culture. With small classes and scholarly faculty, you’ll be part of a community where history is alive, relevant, and deeply connected to your future. Situated on the Colorado Plateau, NAU’s campus is a living classroom itself, rich with Indigenous, environmental, and cultural history. You’ll find inspiration and resources everywhere, from special collections at the Cline Library to nearby national parks.

Learning outcomes

As a History major at NAU, you will:

• recognize the underlying assumptions, methodologies, and theories in other historians’ work to critique and build on this work with your own research. 
• apply theory and evaluate scholarship to frame historical questions. 
• produce and/or deconstruct historical narratives organized around patterns and themes or causality, chronologies, and paradigms identified by professional historians. 
• acknowledge subjective and societal concerns that inform historians’ descriptions and evaluations of the past, thinking critically and ethically about the stories we tell and their impact today. 
• develop historical consciousness of how local and global histories inform one another. 

Student clubs and organizations

You'll find community and connection, and build leadership and networking skills, through groups that were created specifically for exploring a shared interest in history.

Global perspective

The Department of History offers many opportunities for international study in countries including Australia, Chile, China, Costa Rica, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. You can also earn credit for your degree through international internships with museums, archives, or historical societies. The cultural awareness, independence, and perspective gained from these experiences is something that will serve you long after your time at NAU. 

Dedicated support

Faculty mentorship

You’ll be supported every step of your journey at NAU by faculty mentors who are accomplished scholars. Their expertise spans environmental history, the history of gender, citizenship and law, and the history of globalization and economic systems. Many faculty of the Department of History collaborate across disciplines too, including Latin American Studies, Asian Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Classics. With their guidance, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking, deepen your cultural literacy, and apply historical insight to the challenges that matter most to you.

Career development and readiness

As a student of history at NAU, you’ll develop skills employers seek most, like critical analysis, interpretation, problem-solving, and clear communication, while also discovering how cultural historical knowledge gives you an edge in today’s global workplace. Your coursework will challenge you to question assumptions, analyze evidence, and form persuasive arguments. You’ll then put these skills into practice through research, experiential learning, and collaborations with cultural institutions, all preparing you for the career path you choose.

Experience history in person

At NAU, you’ll work alongside partners like the National Park Service, Riordan Mansion State Park, Lowell Observatory, and Cline Library’s Special Collections and Archives, turning research into real projects that preserve heritage, curate stories, and share history with communities.

Events

Learning extends beyond the classroom at NAU. Events like readings, workshops, and guest lectures bring ideas to life and connect you with peers who share your passion for history. Every event hosted by the Department of History and CAL is a chance to explore new perspectives and strengthen your skills.