History Major

Note: The requirements for a history major are officially spelled out in the Undergraduate Catalog.  The following tables only present notes taken from that more precise document. See Gainful Employment data.

General Requirements

30 hours in History, including at least 24 hours above 100 level and at least 15 hours above 200 level.  History Majors may earn either a B.A. or B.S. degree.

Specific Requirements

  • Western Civilization 3 hours: CIV 100; CIV 101 or CIV 102; CIV 111-112; these hours do not count toward the 30 hours in History  
  • Non-Western History 6 hours: Courses on the history of Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East, or Russia; must include 3 hours at 300 level. Either His 103, 104, 105, or 107 and a 300-level course chosen from His 314, 331, 332, 334-339.  (NW history course taken for Gen Ed can be counted in this category)   
  • U.S. History 6 hours: Must include either 203 or 204 and 3 hours at 300 level chosen from His 300-306, 308-312
  • European History 6 hours: Must be at 300 level chosen from His 320-329, 340-342, 345, 346, 375, 382, 385 (Western Civ requirement must be completed before enrolling in a 300-level European History course)    
  • Electives 6 hours: Six additional hours of electives from the History curriculum.   
  • Methods 3 hours: HIS 350 history methods (prerequisites: three hours of history and junior standing)   
  • Research Seminar 3 hours: HIS 450, 451, or 452 research seminar (prerequisites: His 350 and senior standing)   
  • Cross-Cultural Component 6 hours: In one of the following subcategories: 
    • Study Abroad (see the Undergraduate Catalog for more details)
    • Foreign Language Study (through 202 level; see the Undergraduate Catalog for more details)
    • Diversity Study (AAS 210, 211; HIS 304, 305, 339, 375, 382; WMS 200; ENG 129, 190, 329, 330, 331; SOC 313, 314, 315; or ETE 280 [for Secondary Education students]; see the Undergraduate Catalog for more details)

Teaching Certificate for Illinois

To earn a teaching certificate in Illinois, students must have 36 total hours in History, including 8 hours in U.S. History and 8 hours in European or World History; further requirements for a teaching certificate are spelled out in the Undergraduate Catalog under the Department of Teacher Education (Secondary Education).