History

History Faculty

Programs offered

• History (major, minor, and track)
• Museum Studies (minor)

The History major and minor programs at SPU foster a balanced understanding of world cultures. In these programs you will explore the roots and development of Western civilization in the ancient and medieval periods, trace the interaction between the West and the rest of the world, and probe more deeply into American, European, and non-Western history. Along the way, you will focus on the impact of Christianity in both Western and non-Western settings.

History (BA)

VIEW DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

• History: General Track (BA)
• History: Museum Studies Track (BA)

The History major emphasizes humanity’s common heritage and shared future, and challenges you to ask how a Christian worldview can help us understand the sweep of human events, the variety of human cultures, and the influence of heritage on identity.

The Museum Studies Track supplements the History major core with coursework that helps you prepare for graduate study and employment in the vigorous and innovative field of museum studies and public history.

• A minimum 56–62 credits are required for this major, including 26 upper-division credits.
• You are encouraged to consider special programs, both on and off campus.
• You are encouraged to complement a History major with a minor or second major such as Political Science or a foreign language.
• Work closely with your faculty advisor in selecting additional supporting courses tailored to your career goals.
• Internships and other off-campus study opportunities provide you with practical skills and rich experiences in this major.
• If you intend to enter graduate study, you should acquire a reading mastery of a foreign language.

History minor

VIEW DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

• History Minor

• A minimum 30 credits are required for the History minor, including 15 upper-division credits.
• Coursework in History includes three core courses — in world, U.S. and non-Western history — plus electives chosen from the full array of History Department offerings.
• The History minor is encouraged as an enhancement to related majors such as Political Science, Sociology, etc.

Museum Studies Minor

VIEW DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

• History: Museum Studies Minor

• A minimum 30 credits are required for the Museum Studies minor, including 25 upper-division.
• The Museum Studies minor will supplement several relevant majors (or other minors) with focused coursework and practical experience.
• Graduates who complete this program will be well prepared for immediate employment, or for further graduate study, in the vigorous and growing fields of museum, archival, and public history.

entering and completing the major or minor

In order to earn a degree, you must complete an academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, and students are not required to enter a major immediately upon admission to the University. However, you should enter a major by the end of your sophomore year to help ensure your timely completion of a degree. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should identify and enter their major within their first two quarters at SPU.

• If this is your first quarter at SPU and you wish to enter a major or minor in this department, you may select a program by using the online Major or Minor Application form. You will receive an email notification of acceptance.
• If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, use the online Major or Minor Application form to select your major or minor. You will receive an email notification of acceptance. Students on academic probation (with an SPU cumulative GPA below 2.0) will not be permitted to enter a new major or minor until they regain good academic standing.
• The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major or minor; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
• To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major or minor.
• You must complete the major or minor requirements in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year of admittance to the major or minor.

Future teachers

VIEW DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

• Integrated Studies: Social Sciences Concentration (BA)

Certification with elementary education endorsement

• If you plan to teach in an elementary school and are interested in history, you must major in the Integrated Studies major with a concentration in the Social Sciences.
• The concentration consists of courses in history, political science, and geography.
• Further information about the Elementary Certification Program is available in the School of Education.

Certification with secondary education endorsement

If you plan to obtain secondary Residency Teacher Certification with endorsement in History, you should pursue a BA in History, and include the course “History of the Pacific Northwest” HIS 3600. You must also complete requirements for a Secondary Education Endorsement through the School of Education.

If you plan to become a teacher, visit the School of Education for complete information.