At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
This major provides a broad introduction to the history of the great civilizations of the world and specific areas of historical inquiry. Centered in one of the basic, traditional disciplines, the History major offers invaluable preparation for students interested in a career in government, international relations, law, or librarianship, as well as essential training for those interested in a professional career as an academic or public historian, archivist, or secondary school teacher. Along with the perspective on the present that a study of the past engenders, the program develops skills in research, analysis, and synthesis that have proved useful in commerce and industry. The History major combines easily with minors or even multiple majors, providing flexibility in one’s career choice.
What is History?
History is an interdisciplinary field that offers a unique analytical perspective on the world. To understand history, we not only need to understand politics and war, but also the significance of cultural, religious, social, and intellectual developments. The study of history provides a breadth of knowledge and an understanding of diverse perspectives. This diversity includes the opportunity to incorporate anthropology, the scientific study of humanity, into their coursework. A history major will not only enable a student to have a better comprehension of the development of today's complex world, but will also help a student develop a range of skills that are applicable in a wide variety of careers, including education, law, museum studies, and business.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You have a passion for the past.
- You want to connect with the people and events that have shaped our world.
- You are interested in learning how to effectively analyze the past while also preparing to become a critical thinker and leader of tomorrow.
Entrance to Major
In order to be eligible for entrance to this major, a student must:
- attain at least a C (2.00) cumulative grade-point average for all courses taken at the University; and
- have at least third-semester classification.
READ SENATE POLICY 37-30: ENTRANCE TO AND CHANGES IN MAJOR PROGRAMS OF STUDY
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Arts degree in History, a minimum of 124 credits is required:
Requirement | Credits |
---|---|
General Education | 45 |
Electives | 18 |
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements | 24 |
Requirements for the Major | 37 |
3 of the 24 credits for Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements are included in the Requirements for the Major, General Education, or Electives and 0-12 credits are included in Electives if world language proficiency is demonstrated by examination.
Requirements for the Major
A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major. To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn at least a C grade in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Prescribed Courses | ||
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
HIST 302W | Undergraduate Seminar | 3 |
Additional Courses | ||
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
HIST 494 | Research Project | 4 |
or HIST 495 | Internship | |
Select two of the following three focus areas: | 12 | |
Western Civilization I and Western Civilization II | ||
World History to 1500 and World History since 1500 | ||
American Civilization to 1877 and American Civilization Since 1877 | ||
Supporting Courses and Related Areas 1 | ||
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better | ||
Select 12 credits in history | 12 | |
Select 6 credits in non-Western history | 6 |
- 1
At least 8 credits must be at the 400-level.
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Arts (GA): 3 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 3 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
Integrative Studies
- Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits
Exploration
- GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
- GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
B.A. Degree Requirements
World Language (0-12 credits): Student must attain 12th credit level of proficiency in one world language in addition to English. This proficiency must be demonstrated by either examination or course work. See the Placement Policy for Penn State World Language Courses.
B.A. Fields (9 credits): Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arts, World Languages, Natural Sciences, Quantification (may not be taken in the area of the student's primary major; world language credits in this category must be in a second world language in addition to English or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the first language). Credits must be selected from the list of approved courses.
World Cultures (0-3 credits): Select 3 credits from approved list. Students may count courses in this category in order to meet other major, minor, elective, or General Education requirements, except for the University Cultural Diversity (US/IL) requirement.
Program Learning Objectives
- Develop chronological thinking about the past.
- Develop historical understanding and comprehension.
- Develop interpretations of historical change and continuity over time.
- Read and summarize primary and secondary source materials.
- Evaluate and interpret primary and secondary source materials.
- Create evidence-based historical arguments (theses) based on accepted standards of methodology and practice.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
Altoona
Doug Page
Associate Teaching Professor of History
218 Hawthorn
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5171
ddp2@psu.edu
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2024-25 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.
History, B.A. at Altoona Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15‡ | 3 | CAS 100‡ | 3 |
PSU 3 | 1 | World Language Course Level 1 | 4 |
World Language Course Level 1 | 4 | General Education Course | 3 |
General Education Course (GQ)‡ | 3 | History Survey* | 3 |
History Survey Course* | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
General Education (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
15.5 | 16 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
World Language Course Level 3 | 4 | General Education Course (GQ)‡ | 3 |
General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
Elective | 3 | HIST 302W* | 3 |
History Survey Course* | 3 | History Survey Course* | 3 |
16 | 15 | ||
Third Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
B.A. Course | 3 | B.A. Course | 3 |
HIST Course* | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
General Education Course | 3 | HIST 400-level Course* | 3 |
HIST 400-level Course* | 3 | HIST Course (Non-Western)* | 3 |
General Education (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
16.5 | 15 | ||
Fourth Year | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
B.A. Course | 3 | B.A. Course | 3 |
HIST 400-level Course* | 3 | HIST 494 or 495 | 3 |
HIST 494 or 495 | 1 | HIST Course (Non-Western)* | 3 |
ENGL 202B‡ | 3 | Elective | 3 |
Elective | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
Elective | 3 | ||
16 | 15 | ||
Total Credits 125 |
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
Bachelor of Arts Requirements:
Bachelor of Arts students must take 9 credits in Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Fields (Humanities; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Arts; World Languages [2nd language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the 1st]; Natural Sciences; Quantification). The B.A. Fields courses may not be taken in the area of the student’s primary major. See your adviser and the Degree Requirements section of this Bulletin.
Bachelor of Arts students must take 3 credits in World Cultures.
See your adviser and the full list of courses approved as World Cultures courses.
Career Paths
As a History major, you will develop your talent in research, reporting, evaluating evidence and artifacts, and gaining understanding of your own and foreign cultures. The bachelor of arts degree in History, with its emphasis on analytical and communication skills, helps prepare students for a broad spectrum of possibilities in business, sales, law, government, and museum and library careers. Our alumni have gone on to become educators, museum administrators, park rangers, and professionals in a variety of private-sector settings.
Contact
Altoona
DIVISION OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
218 Hawthorn
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5171
ddp2@psu.edu