Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

History (B.A.)


Program: B.A.
Department of History  
College of Arts and Sciences

Liberal Arts Building 209 ~ 260-481-6686


The courses and programs offered through the Department of History can help you gain a better understanding of yourself and your world as you prepare for a career in teaching, library work, law, public service, or a related profession. 

For details on pursuing a secondary education second degree (BSEd) to teach History in middle school/high school, click on the links to the Secondary Education - Second Degree  Program and the School of Education  page in this catalog.  Note:  The BSEd as a second degree in these programs cannot be earned without completion of the bachelor’s degree in the content area from the College of Arts and Sciences.  See Program Requirements below for a link to the Secondary Education - Second Degree 4-Year Plan.


Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this degree, students will:

  • Possess broad knowledge and some specialized understanding of the diverse historical pasts of America, Europe, and the World
  • Understand the basic scientific and humanistic methodology of history as an intellectual discipline including the direct experience of evaluating primary sources and secondary literature
  • Demonstrate the ability to read, analyze, and write about historic topics
  • Recognize historical analyses of human experience as the basic outlook of modern culture
  • Be equipped to continue historical studies throughout life.

Program Delivery:

  • This program is available on-campus

Declaring this Major:

General Requirements:


To earn the B.A. with a major in History, you must fulfill the following requirements in addition to the General Requirements noted above.   To become eligible for the History Honors Program, see requirements listed below under Honors in History.

Program Requirements:


History BA 4-Year Plan:  

  • A grade of C- or higher in all department courses required for the major and an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses required in the major. 

If pursuing the second degree in Secondary Education BSEd, a minor in one of the following areas is also required:

  • Economics
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

History BA with Secondary EDUC/ECON Minor 4-Year Plan:  

History BA with Secondary EDUC/POLS Minor 4-Year Plan:  

History BA with Secondary EDUC/PSY Minor 4-Year Plan:  

History BA with Secondary EDUC/SOC Minor 4-Year Plan:  

General Education Requirements: Credits 33


  • Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements link above for details.
  • Some majors may require particular General Education courses as specified in their program description.  Up to six credits of approved General Education courses satisfying requirements in Areas A and B, and three credits satisfying requirements in Area C, may originate in the major.  A grade of C- or higher in each course, and an overall GPA of 2.0 is required to satisfy the Purdue Fort Wayne General Education Requirements.

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements


  • Click on the Purdue Fort Wayne College Requirements link above for details.  Go to Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree

English Writing and Speaking: Credits 6


International Language: Credits 12-14


  • See Part B in Arts and Sciences Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree

Distribution: Credits 9


  • See Part C in Arts and Sciences Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree
  • Choose courses other than HIST

Cultural Studies: Credits 6


  • See Part D in Arts and Sciences Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree for course choices to fulfill the Non-Western Culture requirement

Core and Concentration (Major) Courses


Additional History Course: Credits 3


  • Choose one additional course in HIST, or MARS 20100.
  • HIST 23200 may be used to fulfill this requirement

General Elective Courses


  • Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120.

Honors in History


As an entering student, you could become eligible for the History Honors Program by scoring above 600 on the SAT I verbal test or the CEEB history achievement test; thereafter, you must have a GPA of 3.25 or higher or be recommended by a member of the department for admission. Admission to the degree program requires that you submit a written petition to  the department no later than the end of your junior year.

In addition to fulfilling the B.A. requirements, completion of this honors program requires:

  • a GPA of 3.3 or higher in history and a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher
  • 9 credits of Honors courses, including 6 credits in History
  • satisfactory completion and defense of an honors thesis

Total Credits: 120


Student Responsibility


You are responsible for satisfying the graduation requirements specified for your selected program.  Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career.  All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean.