History
Academic Department
Discover the Past & Shape the Future!
A Deep Dive into Our Department
Our history classes help students learn about important events from the past while building a strong, well-rounded education. Students can major in history with a focus on general studies or teaching, or they can choose history as a minor. The teaching options help prepare students to become future history teachers. We also offer a master’s degree for current teachers or anyone who wants a job in education or other areas.
Dr. Robert Weis leading a seminar
Faculty and Courses that Bring the Past to Life
Our faculty are the backbone of the history department and the reason for its excellence. With their brilliance, they bring history to life through engaging courses.
Most of our classes are a mix of lectures and discussions that cover both American and World History.
Students in a History Class
Recognizing Excellence in Our Department
Recipients of the Honored Scholars Convocation
Congratulations to the all the recipients of the Honored Scholars Convocation!
HSS College Award Recipients at the All-College Meeting
Congratulations to professors Kelly Langley-Cook and Dr. Caitlin Monroe. Dr. Caitlin Monroe is the recipient of the 25-26 HSS College Excellence in Teaching and Professor Kelly Langley-Cook is the recipient of the 25-26 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Classroom.
"The Mexican Revolution" by Dr. Robert Weis
Dr. Robert Weis has recently published a book that examines the consequences of the Mexican Revolution.
UNC History Department Alumni
BA in History Liberal Arts '23 & MA in History '25
"[In my job] I get to do many interesting things, such as criminal processing, filing tickets, and helping create cases for temporary protection orders. I wanted to express my sincerest gratitude for all the things I learned at the UNC History department. I feel prepared for the real world"
Corissa Twining
Clerk for the 19th Judicial District in Weld County
BA in Secondary History Education '24
The UNC History Department provided an intellectually rich and professionally supportive environment that was instrumental to my success at UNC and beyond. The program's strong emphasis on mentorship allowed me to build meaningful and lasting connections with faculty.
Kadienne Sizemore
PHD Student in History at University of New Hampshire
HIST 492 Internship with Greeley Museum
UNC history majors have the opportunity to apply for a three-credit internship with Greeley History Museums. Students in HIST 492: Public History Internship gain hands-on experience working with Greeley’s museums and heritage sites. Through behind-the-scenes tours, living history at Centennial Village, and introductions to collections, archives, and preservation theory, students learn how history is curated and shared with the public. Guided by museum professionals, they participate in planning meetings, receive training and mentorship, and select a final project focus area aligned with their interests—all while earning three upper-level history credits.
Awards & Scholarships
William H. Benson Scholarship
- Awarded to History major with at least 30 credits.
- Minimum 3.25 GPA
- Awarded by History Faculty
- Estimated amount of award $500 to $1000
Anderson A. Cordill Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Students must be eligible for a Provost Scholarship
- Full-time History or Political Science major with an above average GPA, ability and promise
- Estimated award $1000
Benjamin F. Byerly Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Junior History major with an emphasis in European history
- Minium overall 3.0 GPA; 3.5 History GPA
- Submit a 1,000-word essay on History
- Awarded by History Faculty
- Estimated amount of award $500
Goodman Teacher Scholarship
- Award to History majors seeking teaching licensure with a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Student must be completing their semester of student teaching when awarded
- Preferences given to those that demonstrate financial need, graduate from a Colorado high school west of the Centennial divide or pursuing a career as a middle school teacher.
- Estimated award amount: $1,500
Department History Faculty Scholarship
- Awarded to students with a declared History major and an emphasis on secondary education.
- The applicant must have a declared history major with an emphasis on secondary education and be a freshman student.
- Preference for recipient to be a first generation in their family to attend college, or demonstrate financial need, or be considered a member of an underrepresented community.
- Estimated amount of award: $1,000.
Eulalia Health Scholarship in History
- Awarded to students with financial need that are majoring in History.
- To qualify for this opportunity the student must be majoring in History and demonstrate financial need.
- Open to undergraduate and graduate students.
- Estimated award amount: $1,000.
Dr. Robert W. Larson Memorial Scholarship
- Awarded to junior and senior students majoring in History.
- The applicant must be majoring in History; have a 3.0+ GPA; be a junior and senior student; and have completed or be enrolled in the class HIST 320: Early America to 1763 or its equivalent.
- Estimated amount award: $1,000.
The Dr. Barry Rothaus Scholarship
- Awarded to History majors.
- The applicant must be a History major; with a cumulative GPA of 3.0+ and a history GPA of 3.33+; and must have completed an estimated of 90 credit hours by award time.
- Preference to students who will have completed 12 hours of Modern European history (year 1750 or later) by the end of their junior year.
- Applicants will submit for review to the History Scholarship Committee a 5–7-page typewritten essay that addresses any history subject in modern European history. The submission may be either a paper written expressly for this award, or one already submitted toward satisfying requirements for a modern European History course at UNC.
- Estimated amount of award: $1,000
Oliver M. Dickerson Memorial Scholarship
- Selected by History faculty based on scholarship, personality, and promise.
- Inquire in the History Department for more information.
- Estimated amount of award $7,000.
Graduate Dean’s Scholarship
- Awarded to new graduate students.
- Upon acceptance to the History MA program, have a minimum undergraduate GPA 3.2.
- Maintain a UNC GPA of at least 3.2.
- Enroll for 3-8 credits to receive $250 per semester.
- Enroll for 9 or more credits to receive $1,000 per semester
- History will contact you if you are eligible.
Alumni Award
- Awarded to graduating senior History major.
- Minimum 3.9 overall GPA, and 3.5 History GPA.
- Awarded by the History faculty.
- Estimated amount of award: $500.
Pearl Schumann Block/James J. Bloch Memorial Endowment
- Awarded for outstanding research paper on the Holocaust.
- Submission will be requested by History faculty.
- Estimated amount of award: $500.
Hazel E. Johnson Colorado History Award
- Awarded for outstanding research paper on Colorado History.
- One undergraduate and one graduate student awarded annually.
- Submissions will be requested by History faculty.
- Estimated amount of award $500.
Hazel E. Johnson Personal Achievement Award
- Awarded to graduating History major who displays a “zest for life,” a commitment to history, a propensity to share life with others, and who inspires others.
- Selected by History Faculty.
- Estimated amount of award: $500.
William H. Benson outstanding Junior History Award
- A junior History student with an outstanding record.
- Selected by History Faculty.
- Estimated amount of award: $500.
Outstanding Senior History Award
- A senior History student with an outstanding record.
- Selected by History faculty.
- Estimated amount of award: $500.
Launch your Career with a Degree in History
The History faculty at the University of Northern Colorado is dedicated to supporting students as they complete their degree and transition into the world of work.
The History Teaching Major prepares you for State Licensure for teaching Social Studies at the middle and high school levels.
We also offer the History Liberal Arts Major. Both majors can lead to the following kinds of professions:
- History Education
- Law
- Journalism
- State Department
- Politics
- Library Science
- Museum Curator
- Historical Society Professional
- Business
- Insurance
- Banking
Our faculty in the History Department are available to assist with your questions. Here are some things to consider:
- Teaching, STEP program, Teach America – Cook, Fischer
- Study Abroad – Weis
- Language Training & International Studies – Weis (Spanish, Portuguese), Liu (Chinese, East Asian Languages), Wieben (Italian, Classical Languages)
- Media Studies – Wieben
- Peace Studies – Fischer
- Translation Work – Fischer
- Civic Development & History Education – Fischer
- Law School & Legal Studies – Haberman
- Editing & Journal Publishing – Weis
- Internships & Public History – Haberman
- Government Jobs – Welsh
History Day
In early March, UNC hosts a fun and exciting day focused on history. Hundreds of middle and high school students from northeastern Colorado take part in UNC History Day. Performance, documentaries, and website presentations are open to everyone, and people can visit the exhibits at set times.