Majoring in History
Studying History sharpens a number of valuable skills. Historians read and analyze documents and other primary source materials. They learn to deal with ambiguity and conflicting points of view. They write fact-based papers that synthesize large amounts of information. Majoring in history is an excellent way to prepare for a career in teaching, research, library and information sciences, government service, journalism, law, or business.
The Department of History curriculum emphasizes the following student learning outcomes:
1. Students can explain historical change and continuity.
2. Students can develop a clear argument using recognized historical methods.
3. Students can write clear expository prose and present their ideas orally according to disciplinary conventions.
4. Students can interpret and use primary sources.
5. Students can identify the main historiographical issues in a specific area of concentration.
Undergraduate Degree Requirements
Requirements for major in History
Students must complete 33 credit hours of history at the 200-level and above, including:
- HIST 396 and 496
- 15 credit hours in one of four fields (United States, Europe, Asia/Pacific or comparative/world)
- One upper-division course (3 credit hours) in each of the other fields
- One additional history course
No more than 6 credit hours in 200- level courses are applicable to the major. 100-level courses do not apply.
Download forms here:
History Department Requirements
Major Request Form
Requirements for minor in History
For a student to minor in history, the declaration of intent should be made as early as possible after matriculation. The student must contact the undergraduate adviser of the department and complete the appropriate forms. The minor requires the successful completion with a grade of C or better of 15 credit hours of upper division history courses (history courses 300 level or higher). The precise courses to be taken for a minor must be worked out with the department’s undergraduate adviser. It is possible to concentrate in a particular area of history, but it is not necessary to do so. No one specific course is required for the minor.