Students of history at Austin College learn to master the tools of historical methodology and to analyze the past thoughtfully. History majors and minors at Austin College have graduated to pursue a wide variety of fulfilling careers in law, teaching, university administration, ministry, civil service, politics, information sciences, and business. Many choose to participate in the Austin Teacher Program, combining their history degree with a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Austin College.

The mission of the History Department is to provide students with an analytical basis, encompassing multiple areas and time frames, for judgment and perspective on the past.