A knowledge of history is both the mark of an educated person and a background for understanding the present. It develops skills that are valuable in all fields—the testing of hypotheses, the evaluation of evidence, and the formation and presentation of sound generalizations.

The Mills history curriculum is designed to provide students with a broad background in history and a knowledge of historical methods. The faculty in history is composed of specialists in modern European history, 19th- and 20th-century U.S. history, and East Asian history. Mills graduates in history have continued their study in graduate and professional schools and have entered careers in law, business, journalism, publishing, teaching, library science, museum curatorship, and government service.