About Us

The History Department at California State University, Northridge, combines teaching and research at the highest levels. Department faculty past and present have won some 18 Distinguished Teaching awards and 12 Distinguished Publication awards from the University. The undergraduate and graduate programs provide students with a grounding in research and writing skills, and coursework in the history of the United States, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. Department faculty explore the past from a variety of perspectives including urban and social history, cultural history, history of women and gender, political history, economic history, legal history, diplomatic, military, and international history. In upper division tutorials and proseminars, faculty work with undergraduates in small classes.

The Department also seeks to foster student research through a number of special programs and research seminars that involve trips to archives and historic sites. Through its internship program, the Department gives students an opportunity to gain practical experience in a variety of fields while earning credit towards their degree.

The Department: At-A-Glance

17 full-time faculty

10 lecturers

Four academic degrees:

BA in History

MA in History

Minor in History

Minor in California Studies

Numerous programs to gain hands-on experience in your field of interest, explore relevant topics, improve your writing skills, pay for college, and prepare you for a career:

Internships and Public/Applied History

The Whitsett Program

The Michael Patterson Writing Center

Annual Scholarships and Awards

Teaching Credential/SSSMP Waivers

Various ways for our students to get involved in our program and with their colleagues:

The History Club

Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society

Field Study

Workshop ...and more!