Georgetown University

What you'll study

The programme is offered within Georgetown's History major as a pathway concentrating on medieval and early modern European cultural history. Coursework emphasises primary-source research, critical interpretation of texts and objects, and interdisciplinary methods drawn from art history, literary studies, religious studies and palaeography.

• Core historical methods: courses in historiography, source criticism, and research methods that prepare students for archival work and senior projects.
• Chronological and regional surveys: introductory and intermediate surveys covering the Middle Ages and the early modern period across Western and Central Europe, including political, social and religious transformations.
• Specialist seminars: focused seminars on topics such as medieval liturgy and devotional practices, Reformation cultures, courtly and vernacular literature, late medieval art and manuscript studies, early modern urban life, and the history of science.
• Language training: instruction in relevant historical languages such as Latin and, where available, Old/Middle English, medieval French, German or Italian to support work with original sources.
• Material culture and digital methods: modules examining objects, architecture and visual culture, often combined with training in digital humanities tools for text encoding, mapping and image analysis.
• Research capstone: a senior seminar or honours thesis that requires independent research using primary sources held in libraries, archives or digital collections.
• Electives and cross-disciplinary options: the programme encourages electives in art history, theology, literature, archaeology and museum studies, and supports participation in the university's Medieval and Early Modern Studies initiatives.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to meet Georgetown's general undergraduate admission standards. Successful candidates typically present a strong secondary school record with emphasis on humanities subjects, demonstrable skills in critical reading and writing, and intellectual curiosity about historical and cultural questions.

• Academic credentials: high-quality secondary qualifications (for example A-levels, IB, or equivalent) with strong grades in history, literature, languages or social sciences.
• Preparation in writing and analysis: evidence of strong essay-writing ability through coursework, school examinations or submitted writing samples where requested.
• Language background: prior study of Latin or modern European languages is advantageous but not always required; motivated students without these backgrounds can often begin language study at university level.
• Supplementary materials: competitive applications include thoughtful personal statements, teacher or counsellor recommendations, and any relevant research, independent study or extracurricular engagement with history, museums or archives.

Career prospects

Graduates with a concentration in medieval and early modern European cultural history are well equipped for a range of careers that value research, critical thinking and communication skills. The programme prepares students for both further academic study and direct entry into professional roles.

• Academic and research careers: graduate study in history, medieval studies, art history, religious studies or related humanities fields leading to teaching and research posts.
• Museums, archives and heritage: curatorial, collections management, archival work, conservation and public programming in cultural institutions.
• Education and public history: secondary teaching, educational outreach, heritage interpretation and roles in historical societies.
• Policy, law and public service: positions in government, cultural policy, libraries and non-profit organisations that benefit from strong analytical and communication skills.
• Media and publishing: careers in journalism, academic and trade publishing, digital content creation and editing focused on history and culture.

Why study at Georgetown University

Georgetown's location in Washington, D.C. gives undergraduates ready access to national libraries, museums, archives and cultural institutions, enabling internship and research opportunities beyond the classroom. The History Department emphasises close faculty mentorship and offers avenues for interdisciplinary collaboration across programs in Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Art History, Theology and the Center for Digital Scholarship.

• Research resources: proximity to major collections and manuscript repositories, and access to university special collections and digital archives to support primary-source work.
• Experiential learning: internship placements with museums, cultural NGOs, think tanks and government offices in the capital, plus opportunities for undergraduate research and public presentations.
• Faculty expertise: faculty whose teaching and research cover medieval and early modern Europe, offering supervised research projects and honours mentorship.
• Interdisciplinary network: collaboration with programs in languages, art history, religious studies and digital humanities to build a tailored course of study aligned with career goals.