History - A.B.**

[Note: **Students for whom History is their first major will graduate with an A.B. degree. However, students with History as a second major will graduate with the degree designated by their first major, whether an A.B. or B.S. For a listing of first major History A.B. degree requirements, see the Division of Social Sciences overview. As stated in that paragraph, A.B. degree requirements do not apply to students for whom History is a second major.]

Purpose

The History major is offered by the Department of History and Political Science. The History major is chosen by students who have a variety of interests and objectives. It offers excellent preparation toward teaching, research, journalism, Christian ministries, and graduate study. (History majors desiring to teach in secondary schools need to major in History and Social Studies Education. The History major combined with a major in Philosophy/Religion serves as excellent pre-seminary preparation. Also, the History major often serves as a companion double major with Accounting, Art, Biblical Literature, Biology, Business Administration, Christian Ministries, Communication Studies, Computer Information Systems, Criminal Justice, Economics, English, Intercultural Studies, International Relations, Mathematics, Music, Political Science, Political Science Pre-Law, Psychology, Philosophy and Theology, Social Studies, Social Work, Spanish, or Writing. The department also offers a 24-hour minor; see requirements listed below.

General Education Competencies

Please refer to general education requirements and competencies section under the Division of Social Sciences.

Requirements

A major in History includes 33 hours of History and a cognate area of 9 hours which may be additional courses in History or a grouping directed in any one of the following suggested areas: accounting, art, biblical literature, biology, business administration, Christian ministries, communication studies, computer information systems, criminal justice, economics, English, geography, intercultural studies, international relations, mathematics, music, political science, psychology, philosophy and theology, social studies, social work, Spanish, writing, or as directed by the department.

In place of HST-180, students majoring in History, Social Studies, and Social Studies Education, or minoring in History, should complete HST-185 and HST-190. Students majoring in History are required to take a minimum of 12 hours upper-division courses (numbered 300 or higher) offered by the department.

The specific social studies requirements for a History/Social Studies teaching major (Social Studies Education) are detailed under the Social Studies/Social Studies Education major later in this division section.

Course descriptions are available through the Course Description Lookup.

Language Proficiency

NOTE: Students majoring in History (as their first major) will graduate with an A.B. They will be required to satisfy the following language proficiency requirement:

Proficiency in a non-native language at the intermediate level may be met by showing four years of high school foreign language with no grade below a "C," satisfactorily passing a language examination rated for the intermediate level of proficiency, or by taking two years of college foreign language.

Declaring and Maintaining a History Major

In order to pursue History as a first or second major, students need to consult with the coordinator of the Department of History and Political Science and then declare a History major in the Registrar's Office. Students majoring or minoring in History must maintain no less than a 2.25 GPA in the History major/minor.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of 15 hours in history may be transferred toward the major.