History Student Resources

Check out resources for History students, including scholarships, study abroad opportunities, advising and student organizations.

History degrees

Central Michigan University offers major and minor programs in history, public history, and history education. Combining historical studies with other disciplines provides you with a well-rounded background that is increasingly important in many areas of employment. CMU's history teacher education programs provide solid preparation for a rewarding career in education. More than half of CMU's history majors plan to teach. Earning your history degree will also prepare you for graduate study leading to a career in foreign or government service, teaching, research, law, museum, library, or archival work.

Sign a major or minor in history

Interested in signing a major or minor in history? Follow our instructions below for finding and signing up for your program.

  1. Education students. If you are a teacher-in-training, pursuing a history major or minor as part of the BSEd degree, please email the Department of History, World Languages, and Cultures. 
  2. Public history​. If you want to sign a major in public history, please email Professor Brittany Bayless Fremion.
  3. Everyone else. All other majors and minors in history (BA or BS) should identify a potential advisor by finding a professor whose research or teaching fields match your interests. This site offers full details about faculty fields and research areas, and you can find even more by clicking on the name of individual professors. If you're uncertain about which area of history best fits your interests and plans, please contact the department office for help with finding an advisor or to schedule an appointment with the department chair.​

For other questions regarding advising or signing a major/minor in history, please email the Department of History, World Languages, and Cultures.

    Study abroad opportunities in history

    With comprehensive information about long- and short-term opportunities for international education through CMU, including courses and programs in history, the university's Study Abroad Office is the best place to start learning about where in the world you might take your next history course (or spend your next semester). Professors Kathy Donohue and Doina Harsanyi​ are the faculty coordinators for study abroad in history and are happy to offer advice or answer questions about foreign-study opportunities related to history. 

      Scholarships and awards in History

        The Duane Mark Bouliew History Prize is awarded to a History major with at least 9 credits in history completed at CMU.

        Requirements: Awarded to a History major. The prize must be used for undergraduate study at CMU or in one of CMU's study-abroad programs. Applicants must have at least 9 credits in History, and a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Preference given to students active in Phi Alpha Theta, the History Club or other campus or community organizations. Financial need is considered.

        Deadlines: October 15, December 1, March 15
        (First come, first served until funds for that year depleted.)

        Application Form

        The Gabriel Chien Memorial Fund Essay Prize honors the memory of Gabriel Chien, a former CMU history professor. We award the prize annually to one student for a written essay that focuses on an aspect of Chinese culture, Sino-American relations, or a comparative study of China.

        DEADLINE: May 2025

        APPLICATION PROCESS: To be announced in 2025

        This scholarship was established in 2008 in honor of Dr. Howard V. Evans, who was a member of the History Department from 1969 until his retirement in 1990. He was a dedicated and beloved teacher of European history, specializing in the fields of the Renaissance and 18th Century Europe with a specialty in the French Revolution. He taught several honors seminars, guided two study abroad groups, was longtime advisor to the History Honors Society, Phi Alpha Theta, and was always supportive of students wishing to study abroad. He is the author of numerous articles and two books of the history of his hometown Redgranite, Wisconsin. The scholarship is awarded bi-annually for study abroad depending on available funds.

        Requirements: Applicants must have 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA, have junior or senior status at the time of the study abroad program, and provide the names of two History faculty members as reference. Preference given to students studying European History.

        Deadlines: October 15 (for spring semester abroad); December 1 (for summer); March 15 (for fall or summer if funds left over).

        Application Form

        The Mae Teeters History Prize is awarded annually to a CMU student majoring in History.

        Requirements: Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and be majoring or minoring in History. Other criteria considered: participation in Phi Alpha Theta or History Club (if active), completion of an outstanding essay in a CMU History course, future promise or commitment to a career of service.

        Deadlines: October 15, December 1, March 15
        (First come, first served until funds for that year depleted.)

        Application Form

        The Study Abroad History Award in Honor of Dennis Thavenet provides financial assistance to a History major or minor studying abroad, with some preference given for study in the Netherlands. The award is named in honor of Emeritus Professor Dennis Thavenet, who has been very active in promoting the benefits of study abroad experiences for students.

        Requirements: History major or minor; cumulative minimum GPA of 2.7; sophomore status or above; and demonstration of financial need. Preference given to students completing a semester’s worth of credit while studying abroad (i.e. minimum of 9-12 credit hours).

        Deadlines: October 15 (for spring semester abroad); December 1 (for summer); March 15 (for fall or summer if funds left over).

        Application Form

        The Dennis Thavenet Study Abroad Scholarship provides financial assistance to a junior or senior History or Social Studies major studying abroad, with some preference given for study in the Netherlands. The award is named in honor of Emeritus Professor Dennis Thavenet, who has been very active in promoting the benefits of study abroad experiences for students.

        Requirements: History or Social Studies major; cumulative minimum GPA of a 3.0; and junior or senior status. Preference given for study in the Netherlands and for students traveling for a semester or longer.

        Deadlines: October 15 (for spring semester abroad); December 1 (for summer); March 15 (for fall or summer if funds left over).

        Application Form

        Student organizations

        CMU's chapter of the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society is a professional society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. They seek to bring students, teachers and writers of history together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.

        Together with the History Club, Phi Alpha Theta engages in both academic and social activities. Academic activities have included attending national and regional paper conferences and organizing faculty and graduate student research talks. Social events include museum visits, region cultural events and more. The organization’s biggest event is the annual Humanities Ball, a fundraiser whose proceeds go to the Freedom House of Detroit. Members of Phi Alpha Theta are eligible for various history department scholarships and national paper prizes and awards. Moreover, they have the opportunity to interact with history department faculty and students who share a love and pursuit of historical knowledge.

        To learn more, email Phi Alpha Theta and the History Club or visit their Facebook Page. Any further questions may be directed to Phi Alpha Theta's faculty advisor at CMU, Professor Brittany Bayless Fremion.