Dartmouth College

What you'll study

The programme combines a solid grounding in historical methods with specialised instruction in the cultural, religious, intellectual and material life of medieval and early modern Europe. Core coursework typically covers historical theory and research methods, palaeography and the use of primary sources, and regional or thematic surveys that might include medieval Christianities, late medieval societies, the Renaissance and Reformation, early modern political culture, and the history of science and art.

• Methodology and skills: courses in historiography, archival research, and seminar-style writing and source analysis.
• Language training: undergraduate instruction and support in Latin and modern European languages (commonly French, German, or Italian) to enable engagement with primary texts.
• Area and thematic modules: classes on topics such as medieval law and society, monasticism, court culture and patronage, print culture and censorship, and urban life in early modern Europe.
• Research and capstone: sustained research projects are central—students frequently undertake a substantial independent research paper or senior thesis under faculty supervision, drawing on manuscript collections, prints and material culture held at campus repositories or in study-abroad archives.
• Experiential learning: opportunities to work with the Rauner Special Collections, the Hood Museum of Art and off‑campus libraries and archives; internships with museums, libraries and public-history organisations are supported.

Entry requirements

Admission to Dartmouth is competitive and based on the strength of the whole application. For entry to the History major, students normally enroll as undergraduates and then declare a concentration in the History department after completing introductory work. Typical preparation includes a strong high-school record with coursework in humanities and history, solid writing and analytical skills, and evidence of sustained reading or research in history.

• Successful applicants usually present excellent secondary-school grades and strong recommendations from teachers who can speak to academic potential, particularly in reading and writing.
• Prior study of a modern language and any experience with classical languages (for example Latin) is an advantage for medieval and early modern study, though programme courses and language instruction are available to develop these skills during the degree.
• Supplementary materials such as a compelling personal statement or historical writing sample strengthen an application to the department; transfer or returning students should provide transcripts and, where relevant, faculty recommendations and evidence of research experience.

Career prospects

Graduates leave the programme with strong skills in research, critical analysis, close textual reading, and written and oral argument—abilities that are widely sought across sectors. Many alumni pursue further study in history, medieval studies, or related humanities disciplines at the graduate level.

• Academia and research: graduate study leading to teaching and research positions.
• Museums, archives and heritage: curatorship, archival work, conservation, and public-history roles that draw on material-culture expertise.
• Education and cultural institutions: teaching, programme development and interpretation.
• Public and private sectors: law, public policy, publishing, journalism, consulting and roles in NGOs where historical perspective, analysis and communication skills are valued.
• Digital humanities and cultural-heritage tech: projects combining textual scholarship with digital methods for mapping, edition and preservation.

Why study at Dartmouth College

Dartmouth offers a liberal-arts environment with an emphasis on close faculty-student mentorship, small seminars and the opportunity to develop independent research. The History department supports concentrated study in medieval and early modern European history and collaborates with interdisciplinary programmes such as Medieval Studies and Arts and Cultural Heritage.

Students benefit from campus resources including the Rauner Special Collections, the Hood Museum of Art and organised visiting-lecturer series, which provide direct access to manuscripts, rare books and material culture. The college’s flexible academic calendar and robust support for study abroad and internships make it straightforward to combine language study, archival work overseas and hands-on museum experience with on-campus research.