Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate Miranda van der Meulen presenting her thesis to a room of students at the undergraduate symposium

Many history students choose to work alongside a faculty member on research projects, or they present their own independent research at department symposia. Others take advantage of the extraordinary abundance of historical documents available in Washington, D.C., by interning at the Library of Congress or the National Archives.

The History Department offers plenty of resources to help students find once-in-a-lifetime research opportunities.

Internship Opportunities

Undergraduate Prizes

The Historical Review Journal

"People underestimate undergraduate students. Undergraduate research is a growing concept in higher education, and GW is at the forefront of that."

Denver Brunsman
Associate Professor of History

Folger Undergraduate Research Seminar

Through a special arrangement with the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., students have the opportunity to deepen their study of the early modern period (Renaissance and Reformation) through hands-on investigation of books from that era.

Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare by taking courses that cover this period, such as HIST 1110, 3103, 3130, 3132-3134, 3140,3150, as well as related Special Topics Courses (3001 or 3101). Sophomores and juniors apply for admission during the spring semester in order to enroll in the following fall. This course can serve as a reading preparation for HIST 4098W or 4099.

Independent Study

Independent Study (HIST 3097) is designated for students who wish to pursue independent readings or research under faculty supervision. Arrangements must be made with a full-time faculty member willing to direct your study. He or she will need to sign a Registration Transaction Form.