Both undergraduate and graduate students have many opportunities to engage with the Department of History, the broader university community, and the Shoals region. Undergraduate students are encouraged to join the History Club. Graduate students are invited to participate in the History Graduate Student Association (HGSA) and contribute to The Willingham, the department’s graduate student journal.

Students at all levels can engage with scholars from other institutions through the Nelson Lecture Series and other department-sponsored lectures, workshops, and events. Those interested in presenting research at conferences or traveling to conduct archival or field-based research may apply for research and travel funding through the department, the College of Arts, Sciences & Engineering, and UNA’s Quality Enhancement Program (QEP).

The department also offers study abroad opportunities, including faculty-led programs to Scotland, Italy, and Malta, allowing students to earn academic credit while gaining hands-on experience in global historical and cultural contexts.

Beyond campus, students can connect classroom learning to real-world practice through internships and volunteer opportunities with local museums, libraries, archives, and community organizations, including projects connected to the Trail of Tears Association, the Shoals Music Archive, the UNA Public History Center, and the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area. Together, these opportunities allow students to build professional skills, expand their networks, and become active participants in the historical profession.