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History Minor

Minor

With a history minor, you’ll gain essential skills that can be applied to almost any career.

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By adding a minor in history, you’ll explore the past and pursue your interests while gaining skills in critical thinking, research, and communication—skills that will help you prepare for most jobs. This minor is a great complement to almost any major you choose. As you study a subject you’re passionate about, you’ll learn to apply yourself and see the world with a diverse and equitable lens, empowering you to support your community with compassion and understanding. You’ll gain more than lessons from old books—it will inform the way you live.

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Why should I study history at Bethel?

Here, you’ll find a Christ-centered learning community where you belong. Your learning will center in the Department of History, Philosophy, and Political Science—often called the HiPPos—where you’ll learn from professors who get to know you personally and will invest in your success. You’ll experience:

  • Faith-fueled learning 
    We teach with the belief that all God’s creation and all human beings are worthy of study, so you’ll gain a broad knowledge of human history that is deepened by the integration of a Christian perspective.
  • Flexibility
    Bethel's history minor requires a small number of credits, and it can pair with many majors. 
  • A community where you belong
    You’ll learn in a welcoming community of intellectually curious students and professors who will invest in your success.

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Connect with a counselor

They’ll answer your questions, connect you with professors, and help you find the right time to visit campus. They’ll be there every step of the way to help make applying to Bethel as smooth as possible.

Find your counselor

Courses and skills

What skills will I develop?

As you explore history—from ancient Rome to the modern Middle East and beyond—you’ll expand your knowledge and develop your skills. And with only one required course, you’ll be able to pick elective courses that meet your interests and goals.

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A strong historical base

As you study human history, your knowledge will be deepened by the integration of faith and modern application.

Skills for any career

You’ll forge a strong base of skills in communication, teamwork, research, writing, and more to prepare you for your and for graduate and professional schools.

Critical thinking

You’ll develop strong critical thinking skills as you learn how to find patterns in data, evaluate sources and arguments, and better understand causation and context.

Modern application

Many courses allow you to explore the digital humanities and modern tools like documentary filmmaking, podcasting, blogging, and digital preservation.

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Academic plans

Map out your time at Bethel—from day one to your diploma. Your course schedule is designed to help you grow, gain skills, and become who you’re meant to be.

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Learning opportunities

What experiences will I have?

Hands-on learning is at the core of all Bethel majors and minors. You’ll find numerous opportunities to get involved, apply what you’ve learned, and gain experience—all in a community where you belong.

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Study abroad

Study around the world through trips over a full semester, January session, spring break, and summer. Off-campus study abroad programs include the January trip to Morocco, Spain, and France. Or you study for a semester at a university in another country. Recent students have studied in Chile, Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Lithuania.

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Internships

We have partnerships like a paid internship at the White Bear Lake Historical Society. You’ll also have the chance to intern at sites like the Minnesota Legislature and the Minnesota Historical Society, and the opportunity to apply to work for the department as a teaching assistant.

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Research

You’ll have the chance to conduct research with professors through programs like Edgren Scholars and summer research projects. And you can conduct your own original research in local or digital archives for your senior seminar paper.

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Real-world impact

How will this minor help my career goals?

The skills of critical thinking, clear writing, creative problem solving, and literacy create empathetic and exceptional communicators ready for any job.

Stand out to employers

You’ll gain skills that employers value—skills that will prepare you for a wide variety of fields and graduate and professional schools.

Show your passion

Through rigorous study in a field like history, you’ll stand out to employers with your passion and purpose.

Apply your faith to your career

As you wrestle with important questions and study from a Christian perspective, you’ll be well-equipped to glorify God wherever your career takes you.

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Start your journey

Explore Bethel for yourself

Visiting campus is the best way to learn about Bethel and our majors. As you try out academic and campus life at Bethel, you can attend a class, chat with students, meet professors and coaches, tour campus, and get a taste of life in our program.

Schedule a visit

Faculty mentors

Meet your professors

You’ll learn alongside faculty who are distinguished scholars and faithful Christians. They’ll know you by name and invest in your success. Professors are accessible and usually have an open-door policy so you can stop by with questions, and you’ll often find students gathered in the “HiPPos Suite.”

Department of History, Philosophy, and Political Science


Location

Clausen Center (CC) 429

Contact

Andrew Bramsen

Chris Gehrz

Andrew Bramsen

Andrew Bramsen

Associate Professor of Political Science

Bio >

Chris Gehrz

Chris Gehrz

Professor of History

Bio >

Charles Goldberg

Charles Goldberg

Associate Professor of History

Bio >

AnneMarie Kooistra

AnneMarie Kooistra

Professor of History

Bio >

Christopher Moore

Christopher Moore

Associate Professor of Political Science

Bio >

Sam Mulberry

Sam Mulberry

Assistant Professor of History and Co-Director of the Academic Enrichment and Support Center

Bio >

Sara Shady

Sara Shady

Professor of Philosophy

Bio >

Lynn Uzzell

Lynn Uzzell

Associate Professor of Political Science

Bio >

Dan Yim

Dan Yim

Professor of Philosophy

Bio >

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Bruce Berglund

Adjunct Instructor of History, Philosophy, and Political Science

Bio >

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Michael Bumann

Adjunct Instructor of History, Philosophy, and Political Science

Bio >

Omar Fakhri

Omar Fakhri

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Philosophy

Bio >

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Bart Fischer

Adjunct Instructor of History, Philosophy, and Political Science

Bio >

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Andrew Greenlee

Adjunct Instructor of Philosophy

Bio >

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Rushika Hage

Adjunct Instructor of History

Bio >

Amy Poppinga

Amy Poppinga

Adjunct Associate Professor of History

Bio >

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Todd Kline

Adjunct Instructor of History, Philosophy, and Political Science

Bio >

Haley Wireman-Sobba

Haley Wireman-Sobba

Adjunct Instructor of Political Science

Bio >

James Hurd

James Hurd

Professor of Anthropology Emeritus

Bio >

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John Lawyer

Professor of Political Science Emeritus

Bio >

Samuel Zalanga

Samuel Zalanga

Professor of Sociology Emeritus

Bio >

60%

recent alumni continuing their studies in graduate school

150+

students in the department

60%

of students add a second major

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Accessible education

Tuition and financial aid

We want you to understand from the beginning what a Bethel education costs. That’s why we made it simple. Beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, tuition for the College of Arts & Sciences will be $25,990—down from $44,050. This more accurately reflects what you can expect to pay, empowering you to make informed decisions and become who you're meant to be.

Estimate your cost today

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Become A Bethel Student

Apply now

You belong at Bethel. If you're ready to see who you could become, start your free application today.

Start your application

Find your fit

Explore related programs

This flexible minor will complement almost any major you choose. Here are a few examples:

Explore the full lists:

Majors and minors Preprofessional programs Endorsements