History, Minor (Liberal Arts)

Program Description

The minor in history is designed to complement a wide range of social studies and humanities majors by affording students the opportunity to examine change and development in human societies over time. Students are free to select courses in the topics (military history, social history, cultural history, etc.), geographical areas (the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa), and time periods that most suit their needs and interests. The requirements for entering the minor are fifth semester standing (eligible courses taken previously will count toward the minor) and having already declared a major.

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 want to learn to assess the credibility of sources; in today’s media-rich environment, you will put this skill to work every day.
• You want to gain a deeper understanding of complex causalities; as a history student you will practice thinking about the significance of multiple, often interlinking factors and the way they contribute to complex events.
• You’re interested in pursuing a career in law, business, or education.

Program Requirements

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

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

University Park

Liberal Arts Academic Advising
814-865-2545
Use the Liberal Arts Meet the Academic Advisers web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program

Abington

Friederike Baer
Program Chair
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-881-7593
fbaer@psu.edu

Altoona

Douglas D. Page
Associate Teaching Professor, History
Hawthorn Building 210
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5171
ddp2@psu.edu

Berks

Kirwin R. Shaffer
Professor of Latin American Studies
Gaige Building
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6258
BKHistory@psu.edu

Shenango

Philip Nash
Associate Professor
147 Shenango Avenue
310C Sharon Hall
Sharon, PA 16146
724-983-2978
pxn4@psu.edu

World Campus

Undergraduate Academic Advising
100 Innovation Blvd
Suite 225
University Park, PA 16803
814-863-3283
advising@worldcampus.psu.edu

York

Joy Giguere, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of History
1031 Edgecomb Avenue
York, PA 17403
717-771-8449
jmg66@psu.edu

Career Paths

Penn State History student have enjoyed success in a wide variety of fields. They are found in careers that relate to the major, such as historic preservation, museum work, and education; a healthy representation of our majors go on to law school and graduate school. However, it is not unusual to find former history students in areas that might not immediately come to mind. Penn State history students can be found in architecture, software development, web development, banking, federal government work, and the Peace Corps, to name just a few. They tend to do well because their basic skills are sound.

Careers

• Law
• Secondary Teaching
• Historic Preservation
• Governmental Organizations
• United Nations Organizations
• Non-Governmental Organizations
• Industry Leaders

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A MINOR IN HISTORY

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

Contact

University Park

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
108 Weaver Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-1367
bdw150@psu.edu

https://history.la.psu.edu

Abington

DIVISION OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-881-7593
fbaer@psu.edu

https://www.abington.psu.edu/academics/majors-at-abington/history

Altoona

DIVISION OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Hawthorn Building 210
3000 Ivyside Park
Altoona, PA 16601
814-949-5171
ddp2@psu.edu

https://altoona.psu.edu/academics/bachelors-degrees/history

Berks

HASS DIVISION
Gaige Building
Reading, PA 19610
610-396-6258
BKHistory@psu.edu

Shenango

147 Shenango Avenue
310C Sharon Hall
Sharon, PA 16146
724-983-2978
pxn4@psu.edu

https://shenango.psu.edu/academics/degrees/multidisciplinary-studies

World Campus

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
108 Weaver Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-1367
bdw150@psu.edu

https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/penn-state-online-history-minor

York

1031 Edgecomb Avenue
York, PA 17403
717-771-8449
jmg66@psu.edu