The History minor at Avila
The Avila history minor helps “future-proof” your degree program, where you’ll learn various skills like writing, speaking, and researching. This will give you opportunities to prepare for various occupations and opportunities in our rapidly-changing world. An optional concentration in Secondary Education is available if teaching is in your future.
Study and analyze major issues, then translate what you learn into real-world experience through internships at local museums and historical societies. Avila’s history program offers unique research opportunities, including:
- Build your historical scholarship
- Get prepared with an internship
- Develop a “future-proof” skill set to prepare you for multiple career paths
Transcript
Hi, I’m Dr. Jeffrey Meyers from Avila University. I’m a professor of history and this is my 24th year.
The history department at Avila is focused on a couple of different things. We’re interested in research, so students do original research in three different seminars — two that you learn how to do history, and then your Senior Seminar where you’re able to create your own project of your own choosing.
We also are very proud of our long history of internships. We’ve had interns at the John Wornall House, which is a wonderful resource for understanding the Civil War in Kansas City, and also at the National World War One Museum and Memorial.
What I really love about Avila is the creativity — being able to create an enormous number of interesting courses that fit both what the students are interested in and what I would be interested in, and we can share that together. For example, I’ve created courses in Russian history, in German history, but also kind of strange courses that are about fairy tales and how you can use those historically to understand the world.
And in doing these sorts of courses, we’re able to allow students to get a toolbox of skills that make them really become future-proof — to understand the world and be able to move from profession to profession to profession.
So between the creativity and watching the students grow, it’s really a great place.
Are you interested in history?
Be Prepared for Your Career
Incoming freshmen are guaranteed access to an internship or research experience before graduation. Avila students have completed hands-on learning experiences at:
- Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum
- National Archives and Records Administration
- National World War I Museum at the Liberty Memorial
Avila graduates are pursuing careers as:
- History teachers
- Librarians
- Archivists
Avila graduates choose to work at:
- U.S. National Archives and Records — Kansas City
- William H. Thompson Scholars Learning Community — University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Butler Avionics
- Cerner Corporation
Transferring to Avila?
We work with you to make the most of your transfer credits so you’re on track to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.
An Environment to Enhance your Education
“Avila has prepared me for success in my future education and work, both in a business setting and pursuing a law degree.”
Ryan Graves / 2018, BA History; 2020 MBA / JD candidate at UMKC in fall 2020