Requirements for a Major in History
Bachelor of Arts
A major in history requires a minimum of 33 credit hours, three courses at or above HIST 300, a capstone, and completing one of the following emphases:
- General Historical Studies Emphasis
- Historical Research Emphasis
- Public History Emphasis
- History-Education Emphasis
Only two 100-level HIST courses may count toward the major.
General Historical Studies Emphasis
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 112 | World History II | 3 |
| Complete 3 HIST courses at or above the 300-level | 9 | |
| Complete 6 HIST elective courses 1 | 18 | |
| Capstone: Complete any 400-level HIST course 2 | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
- 1
Only one HIST elective course may be at the 100-level.
- 2
Students completing a capstone course related to history for another major, with the department chair’s permission, may substitute an additional HIST elective at or above the 200-level.
Historical Research Emphasis
This emphasis is recommended for individuals interested in pursuing graduate studies in history, law, or related fields.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 112 | World History II | 3 |
| HIST 300 | Historical Methods & Historiography | 3 |
| Complete 3 HIST courses numbered 301 or higher | 9 | |
| Complete 5 HIST elective courses 1 | 15 | |
| Complete one of the following research capstones: 2 | 3-6 | |
| Independent Research | ||
| Researching the Early American Republic | ||
| Senior Project | ||
| Total Hours | 33-36 | |
- 1
Only one HIST elective course may be at the 100-level.
- 2
Students completing a capstone course related to history for another major, with the department chair’s permission, may substitute an additional HIST elective at or above the 200-level.
Public History Emphasis
This emphasis prepares students for careers in historical site interpretation, museum and archival work, cultural resource management, or for pursuing graduate studies in public history.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 112 | World History II | 3 |
| Public History Core (required courses) | ||
| HIST 239 | Introduction to Public History | 3 |
| HIST 301 | From Archives to Audience: Seminar in Public History | 3 |
| Complete two of the following public history courses: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Oral History | ||
| Black Autobiography and History | ||
| Complete the following modern US history course: | 3 | |
| The U.S. Since 1865 | ||
| Complete one of the following early US history courses: | 3 | |
| African American History to 1865 | ||
| The United States to 1865 | ||
| Virginia History | ||
| Complete one of the following topical courses: | 3 | |
| African-American History since 1865 | ||
| Protest and Dissent in American History | ||
| Sports in American History | ||
| Native American History | ||
| Complete two HIST elective courses 3 | 6 | |
| Complete one of the following capstones: | 3 | |
| Internship in History (Unpaid) | ||
| Internship in History (Unpaid) | ||
| Field Study | ||
| Internship in History (Paid) | ||
| Total Hours | 33 | |
- 3
Must have a total of three courses at or above the 300-level; only one HIST elective course may be at the 100-level.
History-Education Emphasis
To meet the Virginia Department of Education requirements, history majors seeking licensure in secondary social science must include the following coursework while they complete the major requirements of 33 hours, three 300-level courses, and a capstone. Only two 100-level HIST courses are permitted to count on the major. Successful completion of the student teaching portion of the education major will substitute for the capstone experience. In such situations, a social studies placement is required, and students must complete an additional HIST elective at or above the 200-level.
Requirements for a Teaching Endorsement in Social Science & History (History or Political Science)
Students who are interested in earning a teaching license from the Commonwealth of Virginia to teach grades 6 –12 should double major in History or Political Science and Education. Interested students should contact both their History/Political Science advisor and their Education advisor. The program requirements of a student planning to major in education for the purpose of certification in History and Social Sciences vary from those of other History or Political Science majors. Information regarding the Education program and required courses for licensure can be found in the RMC Teacher Preparation Handbook .
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 111 | World History I | 3 |
| HIST 112 | World History II | 3 |
| HIST 209 | African American History to 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 211 | The United States to 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 212 | The U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
| PSCI 101 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| PSCI 102 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSCI 212 | State and Local Government and Politics | 3 |
| ECON 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| EDUC 319 | Historical Geography for Future Educators | 3 |
| HIST 300 | Historical Methods & Historiography | 3 |
| or PSCI 301 | Research Methods | |