History

The mission of the Department of History is to develop in our students a thorough appreciation of the historical events, personalities, and patterns that have coalesced through the centuries to create the world we live in today. In addition to the all-important sense of perspective and context that an understanding of the past provides, students of history also gain important tangible skills that equip them to succeed in a wide array of careers. Specifically, our majors learn to find and critically analyze source materials, to interpret evidence in subtle and nuanced ways, and to communicate their findings effectively, both orally and in writing. Study after study reveals that these are the skills that employers in countless fields value most in their workforce.

Other Information

All coursework taken for a History major or minor must be completed with a grade of “C-” or better.

Student Groups

Eligible students are encouraged to join the National History Honorary Society, Phi Alpha Theta. Our local chapter sponsors a variety of enrichment activities throughout the year.


Option for Degree Completion--Fast Track Programs 

BA or BS History to MA History Fast Track Program

The Department of History has developed a Fast Track program for highly qualified and motivated students providing the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in an accelerated time frame.  With Fast Track, students may count up to 9 graduate hours toward the completion of their undergraduate program as well as the graduate degree program.

Program Specifics:

  • This program is available for undergraduate students pursuing a BA/BS in History desiring to pursue an MA in History.
  • Students must have completed no less than 95 undergraduate hours.
  • Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
  • Students must complete the Fast Track Approval form and obtain all signatures and submit to the Office of Graduate Studies prior to first enrollment in a graduate course.
  • Students will work with their undergraduate advisor to register for the graduate courses.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduate coursework to remain in good academic standing.
  • Students remain undergraduates until they meet all the requirements for the undergraduate degree and are eligible for all rights and privileges granted undergraduate status including financial aid.
  • Near the end of the undergraduate program, formal application to the graduate program is required. The application fee will be waived, the applicant will need to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for a fee waiver code.
    • Admission to Fast Track does NOT guarantee admission to the graduate program. 
      • If students obtain a minimum GPA of 3.8 in the graduate courses taken within the Fast Track Program, this will be considered a plus factor for admission to the master’s degree program.
      • The admit term must be after the completion term of the undergraduate degree.

Additional Fast Track Option 

BA or BS History or BA/BS Political Science to MA History and Government Fast Track Program

The Departments of History and Political Science have developed a Fast Track program for highly qualified and motivated students providing the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in an accelerated time frame. With Fast Track, students may count up to nine (9) graduate hours toward the completion of their undergraduate program as well as the graduate degree program.

Program Specifics:

  • This program is available for undergraduate students pursuing BA/BS in History or BA/BS in Political Science desiring to pursue a MA in History and Government.
  • Students must have completed no less than 95 undergraduate hours.
  • Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5.
  • Students must complete the Fast Track Approval form and obtain all signatures and submit to the Office of Graduate Studies prior to first enrollment in a graduate course.
  • Students will work with their undergraduate advisor to register for the graduate courses.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduate coursework to remain in good academic standing.
  • Students remain undergraduates until they meet all the requirements for the undergraduate degree and are eligible for all rights and privileges granted undergraduate status including financial aid.
  • Near the end of the undergraduate program, formal application to the graduate program is required. The application fee will be waived, the applicant will need to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for a fee waiver code.
    • Admission to Fast Track does NOT guarantee admission to the graduate program. 
      • If students obtain a minimum GPA of 3.8 in the graduate courses taken within the Fast Track Program, this will be considered a plus factor for admission to the master’s degree program.
    • The admit term must be after the completion term of the undergraduate degree.

Contact

287 Arts and Sciences Hall
402.554.2593

Website
 

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in History

For the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science in history, a minimum of 36 hours in history are required. Specific requirements are below.

B.A. degree seeking students must take world language through the intermediate level. 

B.S. degree seeking students, in lieu of world language, must complete a 15 hour “cognate field.” The cognate should consist of 12 hours at the 3000/4000 level in one or more related disciplines selected to complement the student’s interests in history. Additionally, one 3-hour course in logic or statistics or one 3-hour writing course from another department must also be taken. The specific composition of a student’s cognate field will be determined in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.

Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies

Students who wish to complete a Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies degree with a concentration in history should consult with an advisor in the Division of Continuing Studies. This degree requires 30 credit hours in history, of which nine hours must be at the 3000/4000 level. HIST 2980 and HIST 4990 are recommended for every student who plans to pursue a graduate degree in history. Students interested in this degree program must meet with an advisor in the Division of Continuing Studies. The concentration in history consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours.

Minors Offered

If you seek to understand how and why the world came to be the way that it is today, then the study of History is your starting point, and the Department of History should become your academic home.

At the most fundamental level, History majors ask “How did we get to this point?” And in seeking the answers to that question, they gain deep and rich insights into both the great diversity and the binding commonalities of the human experience. Ultimately, then, the study of History helps us to define and understand the most essential elements of our own identity – who we are, where we come from, and how we are connected. Who could ask for a more important, dramatic, or rewarding academic endeavor?

  • Analyst, Project Manager, or other professional position in a wide variety of industries such as insurance, banking, and marketing
  • Attorney or paralegal professional
  • Federal, state, and local governments
  • Politics
  • Teaching
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Archivists
  • Museum work
  • Grant Writing
  • Journalism