History is the foundation of liberal education. It is the study of human experience in all its dimensions, from the earliest times for which written records exist to the present. The study of history helps us to understand our own age and culture by acquainting us with the human condition in other times and places. By demanding that we seek causes, determine motivations, make comparisons, and draw conclusions, the study of history sharpens analytical skills and teaches critical thinking. It enhances our role as citizens providing an understanding of the complexity of our world, the problems and possibilities of the present and future.

The Department of History is among the largest departments at William Paterson University, with 17 full-time faculty members. The Department prides itself on the caliber of its teaching, and the number of History Majors has risen sharply in recent years, to around 300; a number augmented by about 25 actively enrolled graduate students. Emphasizing breadth of study and comparative inquiry as well as more specialized research, the Department of History provides strong support and unique opportunities for both undergraduates and graduate students.