You are
- interested in how your story fits into other stories – family, community, society
- curious about what the past can teach the future
- challenged by researching yesterday’s answers to today’s big questions
Studying history at Bethel will
- equip you with strong research and writing skills
- offer you opportunities to “do history” at Kauffman Museum and the Mennonite Library & Archives
- place you in small-class settings that encourage discussion
- pair you with faculty mentors who are active historians themselves
Multiple options
Bethel history majors have gone on to
- study law
- teach high-school history
- work in libraries
- and much more.
Want to talk more with faculty and current students? Schedule a campus visit.
Unique opportunities for hands-on history experience abound — from museum internships at Kauffman Museum to archival internships working with rare books and manuscripts in the Mennonite Library and Archives to courses taught on location in Europe.
The mentoring I received at Bethel has served me well as I have pursued both a calling into Christian ministry, and a career in public communications. I don’t think there are many places where I would have had the chance to engage in such a breadth and depth of activity.
—Micah Bales ’04 History, Spanish
M.Div., Earlham School of Religion
Advocacy manager, Homeless Children’s Playtime Project, Washington, D.C.
Bethel history graduates have:
- founded their own law firm in Kansas City
- gone on to doctoral studies at top universities
- taught in public schools
- worked in museums
- volunteered for service assignments
- and become pastors
Notable Alumni
- Samuel Voth Schrag – ’04
- Samuel was able to earn his M.Div. from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary and go on to lead the congregation at St. Louis Mennonite Fellowship.
- Micah Bales – ’04
- Micah expanded on his degrees in history and Spanish to achieve a Master of Divinity degree and begin a career that involves service and communication. He attributes the variety of areas he was able to explore at Bethel to his well-rounded resume. Bales’ passion for helping others is exemplified through his work as an advocacy manager for Homeless Children’s Playtime Project in Washington, D.C.
- Major requirements for History:
- 30 hours (14 upper-level).
- Major requirements for History and Government teacher licensure:
- 45 hours, including 15 hours required supporting courses in government, sociology, economics and geography, plus completion of General Education requirements for teacher licensure and professional education requirements.
- Minor requirements for History:
- 16 hours (8 upper-level).