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Undergraduate Student Resources

Academic Advising and Mentorship

All students are assigned a professional advisor to assist them in developing academic plans. You can make an appointment with your advisor through  or visit the Advisement Center for more information.

The Student-Faculty Mentorship Program

All incoming first-year history majors, newly declared majors, and continuing second-year students have the opportunity to participate in the history department’s student-faculty mentoring program. The mentorship program pairs students with a faculty mentor who will welcome them to the history department and serve as a resource upon which students can draw as they navigate the first years of the history major. While not mandatory, we strongly encourage students to participate actively in the mentorship program. Incoming students can expect to receive a welcome email pairing them with a faculty mentor. The mentor and student will then establish contact and develop the mentor-mentee relationship over the course of the academic year. Contact Dr. Chris Caplinger for questions about mentorship.

What can our mentorship program do for you?

Connect you with faculty members who will welcome you into the history department and help you navigate your pathway through the major.

Help you identify and explore your academic and professional interests.

Introduce you to opportunities available for history majors, like internships, research projects, Phi Alpha Theta (history honor society), and ways to develop marketable skills.

How to get the most out of mentorship

Keep communications open with your faculty mentor. Send them an email, schedule an informal meeting to chat about goals or questions, drop into office hours to check in.

Think of mentorship as a jumping off point! As you develop your academic interests, reach out to other faculty mentors who share similar research interests. While you can continue the original mentor relationship, you can also have multiple mentors during your time at Georgia Southern.

Don’t be intimidated–your professors are here to help you! All of the faculty participating in the mentorship program are eager volunteers.

What’s the difference between your faculty mentor and your academic advisor?

The mentorship program is not intended to replace student advisors, who help students familiarize themselves with university policies, develop academic plans, and fulfill requirements for graduation.
All students are assigned a professional advisor to assist them in developing academic plans. You can make an appointment with your advisor through  or visit the College of Arts and Humanities Advisement Center for more information.

Scholarships

91ɬÂþ offers financial aid programs to meet the needs of its students who demonstrate financial need and/or academic and creative achievements. With the HOPE scholarship program, Georgia resident students are supported by state funding for good grades. Undergraduate students interested in scholarships and financial aid should visit the

History majors are eligible for various scholarships and honors awarded by the Department and the University. Criteria for receiving these competitive awards reflect the stipulations of the scholarship/award donors and the student’s academic achievement.

All applications are reviewed by Department faculty who are members of the department’s Scholarships Committee. Selections will be made early in the Spring semester of each year.

Scholarships are applied toward each recipient’s tuition and fees during the following academic year. Students who receive the scholarships must be enrolled the following Fall semester.

Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society

The Pi Alpha Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the , focuses on the intellectual and career development of students in the field of History. Founded in 1969, our branch brings together students interested in history through lectures, discussions, films, professional development, research presentations, and other activities.  provides a unique and open environment to discuss and enjoy history.

Professional Organizations

Graduate Student Resources

Graduate study in History involves more than completing coursework. Students develop independent research projects, work closely with faculty mentors, present their research, pursue internships and professional opportunities, and prepare for careers or further graduate study.

MA students should work regularly with the Graduate Director and their faculty mentors to plan coursework, develop their research project, meet program milestones, and identify opportunities appropriate to their academic and professional goals.

Program Planning and Milestones

Graduate students should consult the current History graduate program requirements and the University Catalog when planning their degree. Students should also remain in regular contact with the Graduate Director (Alan Downs) and Public History Coordinator (Julie De Chantal) regarding coursework, research expectations, prospectus and capstone requirements, graduation, and other program milestones.

Research and Professional Development

Graduate students are encouraged to build professional experience alongside their coursework through archival research, conference presentations, internships, public history projects, publications, digital projects, and work with departmental and community partners.

Internship Program: The internship program is designed for undergraduates, but graduate students can take advantage of the Department’s relationship with regional and national organizations as well as the Georgia Southern Museum and Special Collections.

: Georgia Association of Historians is a great launching pad for presenting work to regional scholars and networking.

: Similar to the Georgia Association of Historians, the Georgia Association of Museums offers opportunities to present your work and to network with regional museum professionals.

Ogeechee International Historical Film Festival: Georgia Southern’s annual history film festival offers opportunities to build experience with documentary film, historical storytelling, and public programming. Contact Dr. Michael Van Wagenen to get involved.

: This leading journal in the field is housed at Georgia Southern. Students interested in editorial work, scholarly publishing, or university presses can contact Dr. Drew Swanson or Dr. Ben Parten.

Ph.D. Programs and Careers

Students considering doctoral study or professional careers should begin exploring possibilities early. The resources below can help you identify History Ph.D. programs, understand the application process, investigate career outcomes, and find opportunities in academic, public history, museum, archival, government, and related fields.

: Useful for identifying programs and faculty by specialization. The AHA specifically recommends its directory as a starting point when investigating doctoral programs.

: Very good practical advice on choosing and applying to History Ph.D. programs.

: Broader resources about doctoral education and professional preparation.

: Current academic and professional History positions.

: Especially useful for museums, historic sites, preservation, government history, consulting, and related public-history careers.

: Archives, special collections, records management, digital preservation, etc.

: Museum employment and professional-development resources.

: History students often overlook federal employment and the Pathways program.

: Some History graduates continue to law school or other professional programs. The Office of Career and Professional Development offers resources for students considering legal careers and the law school application process.