At Lander University, we believe that understanding the past is the essential foundation for navigating the future. Our program moves beyond the classroom through the Experiencing History Lab, a signature hub where students master the professional tools of public history, including historical simulations, podcast production and digital storytelling. This hands-on approach ensures our graduates are not just historians, but skilled communicators ready for a competitive global workforce.
Proven Professional Success
Our students don't just study history; they practice it at the highest levels. Lander history majors secure prestigious internships with the National Park Service (NPS), the Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historical Preservation Site, and various federal agencies in Washington, D.C., including the Smithsonian Institution. These experiences provide a direct pipeline to careers in archives, museum curation and civic leadership.
Research and Academic Excellence
Undergraduate research is a cornerstone of the Lander experience. Students collaborate directly with faculty to conduct original research, frequently presenting their findings at state and regional history conferences. This rigorous academic preparation has led to a consistent record of placement in graduate programs and law schools.
Excellence in Education
For those called to teach, Lander History provides an unmatched professional edge. We are proud of our "classroom-ready" graduates, many of whom have earned the distinction of First Year Teacher of the Year in their respective school districts. Whether you are aiming for the courtroom, the classroom or the curator's office, a degree from Lander University prepares you to lead.
Ryan Floyd
Department Chair
864-388-8786 | mrfloyd@lander.edu | Carnell Learning Center LC363
Workforce ready
History and philosophy can lead to many fulfilling and exciting careers. You could:
Lander also has a slate of graduate degrees that will unlock even more career potential.
The Career Promise
At Lander University, we promise that you will find a job within the first 60 days of graduation. If you don’t, we want you to work for us. We believe in what we teach, and we know our students are set up for success. That’s our Career Promise to Lander graduates: if you aren’t able to find a job within 60 days of graduating, Lander will hire you as a graduate assistant and guarantee your admission into the Lander graduate program of your choice.*
*To qualify for this program, students must graduate from Lander within four years and earn a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. Additional admissions requirements may apply for specific graduate programs.
Outside the Classroom
At Lander University, learning isn’t limited to the traditional classroom space. Here are some ways our students take their learning to new levels:
Experiencing History Lab (EHL)
The Experiencing History Lab (EHL) is a collaborative effort between faculty and students to help people learn history through experience. Students invited to joint the EHL will help develop materials that teach history through doing.
It would be impossible to visit historic civil rights sites in Selma and Montgomery, Alabama, without being deeply moved.
Lander University’s Community Lecture Series began its 2025-26 season with a program on the Siege of Savages’ Old Fields in Ninety Six, the first site of bloodshed in the South in the American Revolutionary War.
In efforts to address the evolving demands of today’s workforce, Lander University recently made significant enhancements to the structure of its academic colleges.
