Nicholls State University

History Majors at the National World War II Museum
Visit the WWII Museum in New Orleans, LA. The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.
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DEPARTMENT MENU

Welcome to the Department of History and Geography at Nicholls State University.

Our Department is the academic home for experienced faculty dedicated to teaching, service, and research and to undergraduate students who share a devotion to learning and appreciation for the study of history.

Our history program is especially strong in modern history, military history, and Louisiana history. We promotes awareness of state and local history and culture, especially the history of the bayou region, and faculty are involved in a variety of community events. Through its affiliation with the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, the program offers opportunities to earn college credit for study programs in New Orleans and Normandy, France. And for the past 44 years, history faculty have led the Nicholls Europe program which provides students with an opportunity to travel to and study in Europe.

Our Public History program offers students the opportunity to earn a Certificate in Public History.  Through internships, coursework and service learning opportunities, students gain practical experience in area museums, archives and other institutions that provide employment-ready skills for a variety of professions.  

A recent study in the Chronicle of Higher Education shows that history graduates have the highest median earnings of graduates in the liberal arts. Graduates of the history program find employment in many areas including teaching, government, museums, archives, law, industry, and the armed forces. Many graduates further their education in law school or graduate school.

In these pages, you will be able to learn a great deal about the department, its faculty, its affiliated organizations, its study abroad programs, and its course offerings. We encourage you to search through our links and to contact Dr. Paul Wilson if you have any questions about majoring in history.

Dr. Paul Wilson
Department Head, History & Geography

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

History (Major & Minor)

The history program is especially strong in modern history, military history, women’s history and Louisiana history.

We offer certificates in Public History and Black Studies.

MINORS

Geography (Minor)

A minor in Geography requires the completion of 18 semester hours of geography courses of which 12 hours must be from geography courses numbered 300 and above.  Geology 300 is an accepted substitute for an upper-level geography course.

Black History (Minor)

The Black Studies minor introduces undergraduate students to the interdisciplinary study of African American and African Diaspora history, society, and culture. The program provides students with an interdisciplinary approach to the social sciences and humanities.

Public History (Minor)

The minor in Public History offers concentrated study, training, and hands-on experience in Analytical, Communication, Customer Service, Organizational, Problem-Solving, and Research Skills. These skills are highly valued by employers across all industries and government.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Public History (Certificate)

The certificate program in Public History offers concentrated study, training, and hands-on experience in Analytical, Communication, Customer Service, Organizational, Problem-Solving, and Research Skills. These skills are highly valued by employers across all industries and government. That is, beyond specific careers in public history, private sector and government sector employers see these skills as key to hiring and promotion.Thus, completion of this certificate allows students to develop skills necessary for employment in a diverse range of public history positions.

 A certificate in Public History requires 21 semester hours with a minimum grade of C in all courses.

Public History Internships

In addition to regular courses, the history program at Nicholls encourages students to become active participants in preserving history and presenting it to the community.  Our program has developed varied and unique opportunities to become involved in public history through internships and service learning programs at the following institutions under the guidance of qualified historians, archivists, and curators:

Laurel Valley Village Store and Museum
Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Archives
Nicholls Archives
Regional Military Museum
National World War II Museum
Nottoway Plantation
Finding Our Roots African American Museum
Center for Traditional Louisiana Boat Building
South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center
Chauvin Sculpture Garden
Residence Plantation and Volumnia Farm
 Jean Lafitte National Park — Thibodaux
Morgan City Archives
Oak Alley Plantation
Laura Plantation

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

2018 International WWII Conference
2022 Holocaust Conference

MISSION

The mission of the History program is to offer courses leading to a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree that convey knowledge of the human past and an understanding of the historical research.  The program seeks to prepare students for history-related careers and for graduate study.  The program also satisfies the general education humanities requirements by providing the university student with the essential knowledge to respond flexibly and with reflective thought to changes and opportunities in their chosen field of study or profession.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

The Department of History and Geography offers extracurricular opportunities that provide students with scholarly enrichment and social interaction with colleagues and professors. These organizations and honor societies demonstrate a commitment on the part of the Department of History and Geography to make the Nicholls experience a rewarding one, consistent with the university pledge of providing “education with a personal touch.”

CLIO History Club

CLIO nicholls history club logo

CLIO is an organization dedicated to promoting interest in the field of history among students at Nicholls State University.  The club is open to students at every level and in every major.  To achieve its mission, Clio makes historically-related excursions, attends lectures, and holds various social events. Please contact one of the faculty sponsors below if you are interested in joining CLIO.

Dr. Shae Smith Cox
Phi Alpha Theta Faculty Adviser
Department of History and Geography
(985) 448-4618
shae.cox@nicholls.edu

Dr. Kevin McQueeney
Assistant Professor
Department of History and Geography
(985) 448-4884
kevin.mcqueeney@nicholls.edu

Visit the CLIO website.

Follow us on Instagram!

Phi Alpha Theta

Phi Alpha Theta is the international honors society for history. It was organized in 1921 and the Nicholls Chapter, Omicron-Chi, was organized in 1969. It is a professional society whose purpose is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. It seeks to bring students and teachers together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by members in a variety of ways.

The website for the national organization is:
http://www.phialphatheta.org

History Internships and Service Learning

In addition to regular courses, the history program at Nicholls encourages students to become active participants in preserving history and presenting it to the community.  Our program has developed varied and unique opportunities to become involved in public history through internships and service learning programs at the following institutions under the guidance of qualified historians, archivists, and curators:

Laurel Valley Village Store and Museum
Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Archives
Nicholls Archives
Regional Military Museum
National World War II Museum
Nottoway Plantation
Finding Our Roots African American Museum
Center for Traditional Louisiana Boat Building
South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center
Chauvin Sculpture Garden
Residence Plantation and Volumnia Farm
 Jean Lafitte National Park — Thibodaux
Morgan City Archives
Oak Alley Plantation
Laura Plantation

Internship photos:

CONTACT INFO:

Department of History & Geography

Office Location:
207 Peltier Hall
Mailing Address:
PO Box 2089
Thibodaux LA 70301
Phone: 985-448-4610
Fax: 985-448-4617

CAMPUS LOCATION:

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