History Major

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

In the history major, students develop a broad understanding of religious, American, European and nonwestern history. Emphasis is also placed on historical inquiry - the art of doing history. The program is designed to assist students in developing a Christian perspective of history. Upon graduation, students are prepared to pursue graduate studies in history, law, ministry, as well as a variety of administrative and service careers in Christian social service agencies, relief ministries, civil service and government agencies, and public administration.

Students interested in teaching History may earn an endorsement for Secondary Education Licensure Program: History by completing the History major and the appropriate requirements of the School of Education.

The Bachelor of Arts in History requires completion of the following 128 credits:
General Education Core (57 credit hours)
Major Core (42 credit hours)
Electives (29 credit hours)

General Education Requirements (57 credit hours)

Biblical Studies (12 credit hours)

Take the following four courses (some courses are cross-listed and only one prefix needs to be taken):

Communication (12 credit hours)

Take each of the following four courses:

COM 103 - Public Speaking (CUS) (3)
COM 212 - Persuasion (3)
ENG 102 - English Composition (3)
ENG 104 - Research Writing (3)
ENG 105 - Honors English
may be taken by invitation of the English faculty to fulfill requirements for both ENG 102 and ENG 104.

Arts and Humanities (9 credit hours)

Take one course from each of the following three academic disciplines:

Philosophy (3 credit hours)

PHL 202 - Philosophical Inquiry (3)

Fine Arts (3 credit hours)

Choose one course from the following:

Literature (3 credit hours)

Choose one course from the following:

Social Sciences (15 credit hours)

Take each of the following five courses:

Integrative Studies (3 credit hours)

* Please see the First- Year Integration (FYI) page for specific information about this required course.

INT 101 - First-Year Integration (3)

Mathematics (3 credit hours)

MAT 111 - College Algebra (3) (or higher)

Science (3 credit hours)

SCI 230 - Great Ideas in Science (3)

History Major Courses (42 credit hours)

History Major Core (9 credit hours)

Ancient to Early Modern History Core (3 credit hours)

Choose one of the following courses:

American History Core (6 credit hours)

Choose two courses from the following:

Modern European History Core (3 credit hours)

Choose one of the following courses:

World History Core (3 credit hours)

Choose one of the following courses:

Core Electives (12 credit hours)

Choose 12 credit hours from courses with an HIS prefix not already applied to requirements for the major.

History Majors may also apply the following electives to their degree:

HIS 350 - Internship (1 to 12)
HIS 450 - Internship (1 to 12)
HIS 480 - Senior Research Project (1 to 3)
GLS 465 - Global Engagement (3)
POL 333 - Comparative Politics (3)

Foreign Language (6 credit hours)

Complete a 2-semester sequence in one modern foreign language or in Latin (Greek, Hebrew, and American Sign Language do not meet this requirement). Language courses identified as “conversational” do not meet this requirement.

Secondary School Licensure

See the Secondary Education Licensure Program: History section of this catalog for details on this program.