Radford University

What you'll study

The programme combines core courses in historical methods and historiography with specialised modules that cover Medieval and Early Modern European cultural, religious and intellectual developments. You will study social structures, visual and material culture, the history of ideas, and practices of memory and ritual from the medieval period through the Renaissance and the age of confessional states.

• Core history skills: historical methods, research design, archival practice, source criticism and digital approaches to history.
• Medieval topics: early and high medieval societies, feudalism and lordship, medieval religion and monasticism, Byzantine and Islamic interactions, and medieval material culture.
• Early modern topics: the Renaissance and humanism, the Reformation and confessionalisation, early modern political thought, exploration and colonial beginnings, and the development of print culture.
• Language and palaeography: optional Latin and introductory palaeography to enable work with primary manuscripts and early printed sources; opportunities for instruction in an early modern European language where available.
• Specialist methods: courses in public history, museum studies, conservation basics, and digital humanities tools such as text encoding and GIS for historical research.
• Capstone/research project: a senior seminar or thesis project involving sustained primary-source research under faculty supervision; internships with local archives, museums or cultural organisations are encouraged.

Degree structure follows a liberal-arts model: a mix of departmental requirements, electives within European history and related fields (art history, religious studies, classics, literature), and general education credits.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have a high-school diploma or equivalent with strong preparation in reading, writing and humanities subjects. Radford typically looks for candidates with a competitive academic record in college-preparatory coursework. Standardised tests (SAT/ACT) may be optional depending on institutional policy; consult the university admissions office for current testing guidelines.

• Recommended academic background: courses in history, literature, foreign language and writing.
• Supporting materials: official transcripts, a personal statement explaining interest in medieval and early modern studies, and letters of recommendation. A writing sample or evidence of research (if available) will strengthen an application.
• Non-native English speakers: proof of English proficiency through an accepted test or other university-approved evidence is required.

Career prospects

Graduates gain transferable research, analysis and communication skills valued across multiple sectors. Typical career paths include roles in museums and archives, heritage and cultural organisations, public history and interpretation, secondary-school teaching (additional certification required), library and information services, publishing and editorial work, and government or non-profit policy roles. Many students also go on to graduate study in history, medieval/early modern studies, museum studies, library science, public history or law.

Why study at Radford University

Radford offers a student-centred undergraduate environment with small class sizes and close faculty mentoring, which is particularly valuable for intensive source-based study. The university’s liberal-arts curriculum allows you to combine European cultural history with complementary disciplines such as art history, classics and religious studies, and the programme encourages internships and community-engaged projects.

Located in Virginia, Radford provides reasonable access to regional archives, cultural institutions and collections in the state and within travel distance of major repositories and museums in Richmond and Washington, D.C., supporting hands-on research and internship opportunities. Faculty in the history department supervise independent projects and capstones, helping students build portfolios of original research and practical experience that support both employment and graduate-school applications.