Student Experience in History
Take history out of the classroom and into the world! Our majors can pursue their passion for history through faculty-mentored research, internships, education abroad, community engagement opportunities, and more. There are countless ways to connect your study with hands-on experience and deepen your understanding of the past to step into your future.
Undergraduate Research
Turn your interests into original research! Through optional independent studies, history majors have the freedom to explore a topic of their choosing while working closely with a faculty mentor. Past students have researched Civil War veterans, Colorado’s mining heritage, ancient Mediterranean oracles, the lives of Gold Rush women, and much more.
Students earn academic credit while building valuable research, critical thinking, and communication skills that prepare them for careers and graduate study.
Internships
Gain real-world experience before you graduate.
Internships are one of the best ways to explore career paths, build your résumé, and apply what you learn in the classroom. With support from our internship coordinator and faculty mentors, history majors can pursue internships that align with their interests while earning academic credit.
Many students complete internships during their fourth year, gaining meaningful professional experience and a better understanding of careers related to history. Past internship placements include museums, documentary production companies, archives, historical societies, local government offices, CSU Extension, and the Public and Environmental History Center.
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Adam Thomas
- Associate Teaching Professor
- Undergraduate Internship Coordinator
- History Club/Phi Alpha Theta Advisor
History Office Trailer, 1100 Meridian Ave. Bldg. B
Study Abroad
Study history where history was made. Our faculty-led study abroad courses allow you to experience the places, cultures, landscapes, and sites that you’ve only read about!
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Roman History in Italy
Step back in time and experience the power of the Roman Empire by seeing the iconic architecture of ancient Rome up close. Dr. Kristin Heineman and Dr. Adam Thomas use archaeological sites and monuments like the Pantheon and Colosseum, to capture a deeper understanding of one of history’s most influential civilizations.
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World War II in Europe
Experience World War II history firsthand! Guided by Dr. Mike Mansfield, students will visit museums, memorials, and historical sites in England and France, and trace the events of D-Day by visiting real sites and battlefields.
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Semester at Sea
Semester at Sea allows students to earn CSU credit while exploring different cultures, histories, and communities across multiple countries. During a 100-day voyage aboard the MV World Odyssey, the program blends classroom learning with immersive travel experiences, creating opportunities for personal and academic growth.
Community Engagement
History Matters
History Matters is a Colorado State University initiative that partners with Northern Colorado teachers, schools, and community organizations to connect local students and our community with the past with local classrooms receiving lesson plans and often engaging with our students in “History Harvests” and history walking tours for local elementary aged students.
Led by CSU history faculty, the project develops free lesson plans and resource collections focused on underrepresented histories and uses “History Harvests” – an opportunity for local Northern Coloradoans to share their history.
Public and Environmental History Center
The Public and Environmental History Center (PEHC) is a nonprofit group of historians in our department who specialize in research and preservation projects in public and environmental history. Working with public and private partners, they help educate communities and strengthen connections to the past.
Through internships, research projects, and community partnerships, the PEHC connects students with meaningful, real-world projects. Students who work with the PEHC gain hands-on experience alongside faculty, public agencies, museums, and local organizations, preparing them for careers in history-related fields and graduate study.
Students Organizations
History Club
Looking for more ways to connect with history? History Club brings together fellow enthusiasts for game nights, guest speakers, campus events, and more—offering a fun way to build friendships, explore historical topics, and become an active part of the History community at CSU.
Follow the group on Instagram to keep up with weekly meetings, special events, and History Club news.
Questions? Connect with our faculty advisor!
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Adam Thomas
- Associate Teaching Professor
- Undergraduate Internship Coordinator
- History Club/Phi Alpha Theta Advisor
History Office Trailer, 1100 Meridian Ave. Bldg. B
Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society
High-achieving History students may be eligible to join Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society. Membership connects students with a community of scholars and provides opportunities to deepen their engagement with historical research, professional development, and the broader historical community.
Scholarships & Awards
The Department of History offers a variety of scholarships to help students pursue their educational goals and earn their degree more affordably. These opportunities support student success by reducing financial barriers and encouraging academic achievement, research, and professional development.
Additionally, the History Department honors exceptional undergraduate majors each year through departmental awards. The Meyer Nathan Memorial Award and the Norman Furniss and Sidney Heitman Awards recognize students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and service. Students are automatically considered, and recipients are selected by the departmental awards committee.
Events & Opportunities
Meyer Nathan Lecture
The annual Meyer Nathan Lecture features our History faculty as speakers and panelists, using their research and expertise to connect historical perspective to the events and issues in today’s headlines, often exploring topics related to democracy, politics, and global affairs.
Students in the History Club help organize the event and are active in selecting the themes and speakers, creating opportunities to take history beyond the classroom and into the community.
Furniss Lecture
The Furniss Lecture brings leading historians from across the country to CSU to share their latest research. Past speakers from institutions including Harvard, Rice, and the University of Texas at Austin have explored topics ranging from the Black Death and the Civil War to the Founding Era and military history.
History Club members have the opportunity to meet with guest speakers, ask questions, and engage directly with new historical research.
Jeopardy Night
Can the student become the master? At our annual Millard Fillmore Jeopardy Night, History students form teams to challenge faculty members in a friendly Jeopardy-style battle of historical knowledge. Winning teams earn exclusive T-shirts, bragging rights, and a place on the Millard Fillmore Jeopardy Night trophy.
VIDA: Learning Community
VIDA is a first‑year Residential Learning Community that helps students build community, explore interests, and connect those interests to academics and careers. Open to Liberal Arts majors and Exploratory Studies students in select tracks, VIDA offers peer support, faculty engagement, and interactive events in Parmelee Hall’s suite-style environment.