About the Department

Award-Winning Teaching. Ground-Breaking Research. Tools for the Future.

The Department of History at the University of Nebraska at Kearney provides instruction, research, and service that are representative of today’s world. Our courses prepare students for a variety of careers from graduate and law schools, to public history and secondary teaching, to business and industry. Our faculty teach courses at all levels from freshmen surveys through graduate seminars. Many have won awards that recognize the high quality of their scholarship, teaching and service.

Here you can study in four undergraduate degree options, with three options for minors – and we offer a bachelor’s degree entirely online. Our public and digital history minor and graduate level public and digital history emphasis offerings at UNK let you explore the creation and dissemination of history by and for public audiences, such as Public History, Museums and Archives, Public History Administration, Digital History, and Community History and Preservation. If you’re looking for a Master’s degree program, our online program is ranked one of the best. Students can choose to complete the non-thesis, thesis, or public history options.

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Grant Holscher

"My professors had great lecture classes. I got to dive into the behind-the-scenes history of the United States, European, non-western and local history. It was neat to approach the subject from so many different angles. Professors in the history department have a chance to really get to know their students. They were able to talk to me about personal interests of mine and really made it their mission to help me succeed"

Grant Holscher

Upcoming Events

20 Mar
History Day Ponderosa Room | 8:00am

Beyond the Classroom

At the University of Nebraska at Kearney, we believe in providing opportunities for students to help them excel in their field. The History Department allows students to get involved early and often, with multiple organizations, scholarships, and opportunities to expand your horizons while growing in the field and furthering your career experience. 

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Regional Engagement

History students have a number of opportunities to collaborate with UNK's partners in the Kearney Community. For online students, taking public and digital history courses allows students the opportunity to work with institutions such as museums, national parks, and archives.

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Experiential Learning

  • Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society Phi Alpha Theta is a prestigious honor society providing significant opportunities for students to be recognized for their achievements as history students. Our Pi Nu Chapter was established in 1970 and has over 400 members and alumni.
  • Undergraduate Research Fellows Supports student research and creative activity projects with a $1,200 stipend.
  • Summer Student Research Program Participants meet regularly to challenge and support each other while learning about research in other disciplines. The SSRP pays each student a $3,250 stipend over the summer while the student researcher works with a faculty mentor to design, conduct, and present original scholarship work.
  • Study Abroad
  • Internships
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Student Scholarships