BA in History
Degree Program Description
History is the chronicle of humanity’s activities throughout the ages. The study of history offers a means of understanding the present by investigating and analyzing the past. Students can choose from a wide selection of course work including courses in the history of the United States, Latin America, Europe (from ancient Greece to the present), Africa and East Asia. The curriculum provides course work in political, cultural, social, intellectual, environmental and diplomatic history. Beyond the classroom students gain hands-on experience by working as interns at partner institutions throughout mid-Missouri. Students skilled in research, analysis and writing are attractive to graduate schools in history, museum studies, and public affairs as well as law schools and business schools. Many history majors obtain their teaching certificate to allow them to teach in public schools. History majors are highly recruited in many fields of business, including management, marketing and finance. Libraries, museums, archives, publishing companies, and local history and preservation projects all offer careers with the possibility of continued specialization in history. A number of our majors have also found rewarding work in city, state and federal government, including city planning, historic preservation, and working on political campaigns locally and in Washington DC.
Major Program Requirements
A student majoring in history must complete a total of 33 history credits. A grade of C- or better is required for all courses taken for the major. In addition, students must complete all university graduation requirements, general education and Arts and Science Foundation Requirements.
| Major core requirements | 33 | |
| I. Introductory Courses. Choose 1 course in at least 3 of the following 5 areas. At least one course must be a "Pre-modern/Early Modern" course and one course must be a "Modern" course. (Please contact the department for a list of approved courses) | 9 | |
Areas: U. S. History, Africa/Middle East, Latin America, Europe, Asia | ||
| II. Research Skills: HIST 2950 Sophomore Seminar | 3 | |
| III. Area Specific Courses | 9 | |
Areas: United States, Europe, Africa/Middle East, Asia, Latin America, Transnational | ||
One course must be a 3000 level or above | ||
| IV. History Electives | 6 | |
Choose any 2 history courses, 3000 level or above | ||
| V. Capstone (Required Prerequisite: HIST 2950) Choose one option | 6 | |
| VI. U.S. History Requirement | ||
Semester Plan
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan will vary based on course choices where options are available.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGLSH 1000 | 3 | MATH 1050, 1100, or STAT 1200 | 3 |
| Behavioral Science Course | 3 | Biological/Physical/Math Science Course with lab | 5 |
| Social Science Course | 3 | Minor | 3 |
| Humanities Course | 3 | History Course | 3 |
| History Course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Second Language | 5 | Second Language | 5 |
| Behavioral Science Course | 3 | Minor | 3 |
| Humanities Course | 3 | Humanities Course | 3 |
| Social Science Course | 3 | History Course | 3 |
| History Course | 3 | ||
| 17 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Second Language | 3 | Humanities Course | 3 |
| Biological/Physical/Math Science Course | 4 | Minor | 3 |
| History Course | 3 | History Course | 3 |
| History Course | 3 | History Course | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | Elective Course | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Minor | 3 | Social Science Course | 3 |
| Minor | 3 | History Course | 3 |
| History Course | 3 | History Course | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | Elective Course | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | Elective Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 121 | |||
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.