Apr 19, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Bulletin

History Major, B.A.


Total minimum number of credits required for a major in History leading to the B.A. degree - 120.
Total minimum number of credits required for a minor in History - 18.

History Major

Wilkes University offers four separate tracks for students interested in pursuing careers in history. The standard History Major is designed for pre-professional and pre-graduate school students who either intend to further their education at an advanced level (law, medical or graduate school) or wish to combine their major in History with another undergraduate major. The standard History Major can be combined with a minor or a major in secondary education for students interested in teaching careers in public secondary schools. The Public History Concentration prepares students for entry-level work in museums, archives and other locations in which historians work with the public in non-teaching roles. The Digital History Concentration allows students to follow a course of study that combines classes in History, Integrative Media and Communication Studies to learn the skills necessary to present history in a variety of media, from web sites to audio and video documentaries. Wilkes University requires 120 credit hours for the B.A. degree in History. These include 40 credit hours in distribution courses and 30 credit hours in the discipline. HST (History) HST 101 -HST 102 , HST 125 -HST 126 , HST 297 , HST 397 , and 15 additional credit hours in history courses numbered 300 and above are required. The 300-level courses must include a minimum of six hours each in American/United States and non-American/world topics. Comparative courses count toward these minimum distribution requirements as either an American or a non-American topic. American/United States topics will contain the designation (A) at the end of their titles, non-American/world topics (N), and comparative topics (C). The Department recommends that students who plan to continue their studies in history at the graduate level take a foreign language.

A variety of career options are open to History majors. Because history is a synthesis of the life experience that examines past economic, social, political, scientific, and religious conditions, a careful selection of history courses and elective credit hours will allow students to pursue career interests in business, government, teaching, communications, law, and social service. The History major includes a considerable number of elective credit hours that students may use to develop career interests. The department strongly recommends that some of these hours be used for internships or field experiences.

Concentrations

Recommended Course Sequence - History Major


First Semester


Total Credits: 15-16


Second Semester


Total Credits: 15-16


Third Semester


Total Credits: 15


Fourth Semester


Total Credits: 15


Fifth Semester


  • Free Electives Credits: 9 *
  • Major Electives Credits: 6

Total Credits: 15


Sixth Semester


  • Free Electives Credits: 12 *
  • Major Electives Credits: 3

Total Credits: 15


Seventh Semester


  • Free Electives Credits: 9 *
  • Major Electives Credits: 6 **

Total Credits: 15


Eighth Semester


Total Credits: 14


Total Credits: 120-122


*Sufficient elective credits are available to allow students to complete a minor in most fields. See the Wilkes Undergraduate Bulletin for minor requirements.
**HST 397  in the seventh semester is for students planning to student teach in the eighth semester.