Information for Students

Professional Opportunities

Teacher of Social Studies

History is an approved major for students wishing to become Elementary School teachers or Middle or High School Social Studies teachers. Students interested in becoming teachers should meet with the History Department Chair to plan their program as soon as possible in their academic career. They should also consult with the office of the Dean of Education (Carman B-33, 718-960-4972) for the latest information on state requirements for teacher certification.

Other Career Opportunities

History majors frequently enter careers in areas such as education, law, politics, business, library work, and government. History students who wish to discuss career opportunities or advanced studies in graduate school should consult with the Department Chair.

Phi Alpha Theta at Lehman College

Lehman College hosts the Pi Upsilon chapter (established in 1970) of Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honors Society. After several years of inactivity, the chapter has experienced a resurgence in recent years, inducting two dozen new members. Phi Alpha Theta members are among our most accomplished students. The national Phi Alpha Theta Society was formed in 1921 and boasts over 900 chapters with more than 350,000 members. It sponsors regional meetings, scholarships and prizes, and the student journal Historian. To be eligible, students must maintain at least a 3.1 GPA in four or more History courses and a 3.0 overall GPA (non-History majors are eligible to join). If you meet these standards and are interested in joining Lehman’s chapter, please contact Prof. Rhiannon Dowling (rhiannon.dowling@lehman.cuny.edu) or Prof. Benjamin Holtzman (benjamin.holtzman@lehman.cuny.edu).

Mission statement of Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honors Society: We are a professional society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. We seek to bring students and teachers together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.

Read more about PHI ALPHA THETA National History Honor Society.