Career Opportunities

The WVU graduate program in history provides training in historical methods that prepare graduates to work in a wide variety of public and private sector careers.

Our former students pursue professions in academia as assistant professors, program directors, project managers, and lecturers at institutions including Tufts University, American University, Pennsylvania Western University, Portland State University, University of Malawi, and Southeast Missouri State University. Alumni also work at Gettysburg College, Davis and Elkins College, Richard Bland College of William & Mary, Northern Virginia Community College, and the Florida Institute of Technology, among others.

Several alumni are employed by federal and state government agencies such as the Historical Office of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Naval History and Heritage Command, National Cemetery Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, National Park Service, United States Forest Service, West Virginia State Archives, and State Historic Preservation Offices.

Furthermore, MA and Ph.D. graduates work for a range of historical societies, museums, historical consulting firms, non-profit organizations, historic preservation agencies, and private sector businesses including the Kentucky Historical Society, Maryland Historical Trust, West Virginia & Regional History Center, Monticello, Senator John Heinz History Center, Loudoun Museum, Museum Center at 5ive Points, Shapell Manuscript Foundation, Arthurdale Heritage Inc., the Advanced Studies in Culture Foundation (ASCF), Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, WVU Press, and Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, alumni have secured jobs in development, printing, arts, research groups, and energy corporations.