History majors and certificate students at UW-Madison have a wide range of opportunities available to help them make the most of their degree and carry the study of the past beyond the boundaries of the classroom.
ARCHIVE
ARCHIVE is an award-winning journal of historical work published annually by the UW-Madison chapter of Phi Alpha Theta. Check out ARCHIVE’s website to view past volumes and find out how you could be published.
Phi Alpha Theta
Phi Alpha Theta is a national history honors society whose purpose is to promote the study of history and to bring students, teachers and writers of history together in intellectual and social ways. Check out the UW-Madison chapter’s page for more information.
Scholarships, Awards, and Prizes
Every academic year, the Department of History awards over $25,000 to undergraduates in order to fund student research projects, recognize superior writing achievements, and acknowledge outstanding students. Writing prizes, scholarships, and research fellowships look great on a resume and can lead to new possibilities and experiences. Find out more about these opportunities on our Scholarships, Awards, and Prizes page.
Senior Thesis
The senior thesis, or senior honors thesis, is a great option for those looking to take their passion for history to new heights, and allows students to pursue their own research questions on the subject that interests them the most. Read more about the experience on our Research in History & Senior Thesis page.
Departmental Distinction
Departmental Distinction recognizes outstanding academic achievement in the History Major and is an option for majors who are not pursuing Honors in the Major. Students apply for Departmental Distinction at the end of the term in which they graduate and use the culmination of their experience as a History Major in the application process.
History Lab
The History Lab is a resource center for undergraduate students studying, researching, and writing about the past. It is staffed by experienced graduate students from the Department of History. Through individual tutoring, the Lab focuses on honing students’ abilities to form topics, conduct research, develop arguments and thesis statements, cite evidence, and write effectively.
Study Abroad
At UW-Madison, History is a discipline that transcends national boundaries. As a history major, you can study abroad during almost any term in your college career, including winter or summer, but there are some important factors to consider. If you begin your planning early, you can find a way to include an international experience into the heart of your work in history.
Volunteer
The Morgridge Center for Public Service connects campus and community through service, service learning and community-based research to build a thriving democratic society. The Morgridge Center can help you find the ideal volunteer opportunity to meet your interests and availability.