Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - History (Optional Co-op)

Students in the History program take courses in the subject to pursue their interests (along with foundational, elective, and liberal studies offerings). Students might wish to explore the formation of societies in the ancient world, or contemporary problems in historical perspective, or the great diversity of themes in the centuries between. Beyond examining significant issues that fascinate historians, Ryerson’s program has distinctive career-focused components. Students take a progression of specially designed foundational, historian’s craft, and senior seminar courses to develop their research, analytical, and communications skills in ways that will help them succeed in today’s knowledge-based world.

Students also may wish to explore distinctive options: heritage management courses for those thinking of museums, historic sites, and related fields as potential career choices; experiential learning opportunities to perform real-world work in History; and a thesis course for students considering graduate school or wishing to conduct in-depth investigations on historical topics that have captured their imaginations.

The strong research, analytical, and communication skills, along with the cultural awareness that History teaches, are valued by employers widely. Therefore, graduates follow a broad range of career paths, with business, the public service, creative industries, and non-governmental organizations being common realms where they find work. As well, a certain number of History graduates move into careers in museums and the heritage sector. Many individuals with a BA in History continue their education in master’s degree and other graduate programs, or seek professional post-graduate career training in faculties such as law, education, and information studies.