Villanova University

What you'll study

The programme combines broad training in historical methods with specialised courses on medieval and early modern Europe. Core coursework covers historical research and writing, historiography, and approaches to primary sources. Students take survey and topical modules that may include:

• Medieval Europe: politics, society and religion
• Renaissance and Reformation studies
• Cultural and intellectual history of early modern Europe
• History of the book, manuscript culture and palaeography
• Art, material culture and visual sources in the Middle Ages
• Religion, heresy and reform movements
• Gender, family and social structures in pre-modern Europe
• Regional studies (e.g. England, France, Iberia, Holy Roman Empire)

Language study is strongly encouraged and often required for advanced work; common choices include Latin, French, German, or Spanish to enable reading of primary sources. The programme emphasises hands-on work with primary materials through archival exercises, manuscript study, and trained use of digital humanities tools for textual and material analysis. Upper-level students typically complete a capstone research project or senior thesis under faculty supervision.

Entry requirements

Admission to the Bachelor of Arts in History is through Villanova University's undergraduate application process. Successful applicants usually present a strong secondary-school academic record with evidence of rigorous coursework in humanities and social sciences, and well-developed writing skills. While there are no universal mandatory subject prerequisites, preparation in history, literature and writing is advantageous. Prospective students from outside the US should demonstrate English language proficiency.

Typical department expectations include:

• A competitive high school transcript showing college-preparatory coursework
• Strong personal statement or essay that reflects intellectual curiosity about history
• Letters of recommendation that speak to academic potential and writing ability
• For places that require testing information, submission of standardised test scores where applicable (check the university's current admissions guidance)

Career prospects

Graduates with specialised training in medieval and early modern European cultural history are well prepared for a variety of careers that value research, critical thinking and clear communication. Common paths include:

• Secondary and higher education (with further postgraduate qualification for university-level teaching)
• Museums, archives and cultural heritage organisations — roles in curation, collections management and interpretation
• Public history and historic site administration
• Publishing, journalism and editing
• Libraries and information science (often following graduate study)
• Public policy, government and non-profit sectors that employ strong research and writing skills
• Further study in law, library science, archives, conservation or doctoral research in history

Internships, study abroad in European research centres, and senior research projects undertaken at Villanova can help build practical experience and professional networks relevant to these careers.

Why study at Villanova University

Villanova offers this concentration within a liberal arts environment emphasising close faculty mentorship, small seminars and opportunities for supervised undergraduate research. The history faculty teach a wide chronological and thematic range and support student projects that cross disciplinary boundaries — for example linking literature, art history, theology and material culture.

Students benefit from Villanova's campus resources and regional connections: access to library special collections, organised archives visits, and internship opportunities with museums, historical societies and cultural institutions in the Philadelphia region. The university also supports study abroad programmes and exchange opportunities that are especially valuable for students focusing on medieval and early modern Europe.

Overall, the programme combines rigorous methodological training with language study and hands-on research experience, preparing students for scholarly work, public-facing historical careers, and a range of professional fields that prize analytical and communicative expertise.