Bachelor of Arts in History

Academic Plan

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of History at the University of Maryland embraces the diversity of the human past with a global vision and wide-ranging methods of inquiry. Accomplished faculty specialize in cultures from all over the world and are subject matter experts in historical eras stretching from antiquity to the modern era. Small class sizes provide ample opportunities for mentorship and hands-on learning. Undergraduates are encouraged to explore academic publishing, engage in independent research and participate in internships.

COURSEWORK

History coursework is robust yet flexible and expansive. Majors are encouraged to build a unique academic journey tailored to their research interests and career goals. Students conclude the major with a small-sized capstone seminar focused on historical argument or original research. Majors can benefit from experiential learning and the additional opportunities that come from the university's close collaborations with nearby D.C. cultural institutions, including museums, libraries and archival collections. Students can explore course offerings in the digital humanities and participate in oral history projects and relevant study abroad courses that provide an immersive experience.

The College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU) offers courses designed to ensure students are ready to enter the workforce, along with integrated and individualized academic and career advising. Alumni continue on to graduate school or forge their careers in a variety of industries and fields. The creative ways to apply your ARHU degree are truly limitless! Here are some placements specific to Historymajors:

Baltimore Museum of Industry
Dickinson Archives
International Spy Museum
White House Historical Association

Columbia Law School
Emory University
Georgetown University
Oxford University

Booz Allen Hamilton
Library of Congress
National Children's Museum
National Park Service
Pennsylvania State Archives

Schedule an Appointment with History Advisors

The History Major

The History Major encourages students to engage in more diverse and expansive learning while removing the supporting course requirements. The Department of History seeks to broaden the students' cultural background through the study of history and to prepare those interested in publishing, teaching, museum work, law, journalism, civil service, military service, archival and library work, diplomacy, business school, graduate study and many more career opportunities.

Program learning outcomes include:

Students will be able to distinguish among a variety of genres of primary and secondary historical sources (e.g. documents, monographs, letters, novels, film, political cartoons, essays, artifacts) and use them appropriately and effectively in academic work.
Students will demonstrate the ability to conduct research using primary and secondary sources including archival, print and non-print, and web-based texts.
Students will demonstrate the ability to define and defend a historical thesis.

The requirement for Introductory Courses is 12 hours of History courses at the 100-200 level.
One of these courses must be HIST 208.
In considering courses that will fulfill this requirement, students are encouraged to:
•    select at least two courses in a sequence (e.g. HIST 234, HIST 235, HIST 236);
•    select at least one course covering history before 1500 and one course covering history after 1500;
•    sample both regional and topical course offerings.
Students will normally take one or more introductory courses within the major field of specialization.

The History Major Capstone Seminar, HIST 408, will be taken in the junior or senior year and may be inside or outside the field of specialization.

Students must take courses in at least three geographical regions.

At least two courses must be taken in two or more of the following fields:

Students must take at least one course covering history in the pre-1750 period.

Hoosier Clio Award for Best Honors Thesis
Lovell Senior Scholars in History Award
B. Marie Perinbam Award in the History of Africa, East Asia, Latin America, or the Middle East
The Shipleys of Maryland Award to the Graduating Senior with the Best Academic Record
The Jeannie Rutenberg Prize for Excellence in Undergraduate Research and Writing
Ted and Penny Schwartz Prize for Outstanding Junior Thesis

Students are encouraged to apply for other college and university awards such as the UMD Libraries Award for Undergraduate Research which has been won by several History majors. History majors may also be nominated for other awards in the College of Arts and Humanities.

Requirements for the History Majors noted above are 39 credit hours of History coursework distributed as follows:

12 hours in 100-200 level introductory courses and including HIST 208
15 hours in one major field of specialization (see below)
9 hours of history in at least two major fields other than the field of specialization
Capstone Seminar: HIST 408
Students must also meet distribution requirements (see below)
All courses for the history major must be completed with a minimum grade of C-
21 credit hours of the 39 total credit hours must be at the 300-400 (junior-senior) level
No more than 6 credit hours (2 courses) can be fulfilled by AP or IB credit

History majors can petition to include up to 2 courses taught outside the Department toward the fulfillment of the major, with the approval of the Undergraduate Committee. Courses taught outside of the History Department may fulfill geographic and/or thematic requirements. They may not be used to fulfill the Departmental capstone seminars.

Study the Past, Shape the Future

Relevant Links

Career Readiness

Internship Placements

Graduate School Placements

Employer Placements

About the History Major

Introductory Courses

Capstone

Distribution Requirements

Prizes and Awards for History Undergraduate Excellence

Requirements for the History Major (students admitted to UMD between Spring Semester 2022 and Fall Semester 2024)