History

What Is History ?

History majors study and analyze human experiences of the past. By doing so, they become better able to understand other societies in addition to their own. History majors develop strong critical thinking, reading and writing skills as they master research methods and historiography.

Success Factors

History majors must possess the ability to learn how to analyze primary sources and historical facts, to participate in informed discussion of conflicting historical perspectives, and to appreciate the diversity of human experience over space and time. In addition, history students must be committed to developing skills in critical thinking, research methods and the integration of that knowledge in writing and oral communication.

Career Possibilities

As well as being well-prepared for graduate, law or medical school, graduates of the history program pursue careers as:

• Archivists
• Academic advisors
• Librarians
• Educators
• Diplomats
• Filmmakers
• Museologists

Additional career options are listed on the Career Development Center's Web site. 

Major Details

A history major at UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) consists of 63 credits and is structured to reflect the department’s philosophy and pedagogical goals.

Students begin with two year-long survey sequences chosen from among European, U.S., Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, African and world history. Building on this broad overview, students take a gateway course, Introduction to Historical Thinking (HIST 300), where they are introduced to historiography, critical thinking and intensive writing and rewriting. This course is a prerequisite to the junior topics seminar (HIST 400) in which students receive hands-on training in research and analysis of primary sources and write an essay based on original research.

Two electives (at any level) and nine upper-division courses give students the freedom to develop their own field of special interest, while two courses (at any level) on any areas other than American or European history ensures a breadth of knowledge. The capstone Senior Writing Seminar sequence (HIST 462-463) offers history majors experiential learning, allowing the students to integrate their training in critical thinking, research skills and writing to produce an original piece of scholarship.

All history majors should consult with the department’s director of undergraduate studies when they declare their major.

A&S offers flexible degree requirements, which encourage multiple areas of study. Free electives allow for enough credits for students to pursue a minor, certificate program or even complete a second major. Some of the most common pairings are listed below.

• Anthropology
• Economics
• Geography
• International human rights
• Journalism
• Languages or area studies
• Political science
• Security studies

Minor Details

Minor
The history minor requires 36 credit hours in history as follows:

18 credit hours in two year-long survey sequences:

• CLAS 101-102-103: Ancient History
• HIST 113-114-115: European Civilization
• HIST 121-122-123: Asian Civilization
• HIST 130-131-132: World History
• HIST 170-171-172: History of the Middle East & North Africa
• AFST/HIST 301-302-303: History of Africa
• HIST 110-111-112: American History

3 credit hours of HIST 300: Introduction to Historical Thinking

15 additional credit hours at the 400 level or above in History

Historic Preservation Certificate
Students interested in public history and historic preservation can also pursue a certificate in history preservation, an interdisciplinary program between the department and UC’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP).  Certificate Details (pdf) are available online.

Programs that share courses and other similarities with history include classics, women's studies, Asian studies and political science. Students might consider combining history with one of these programs or another as a second major or minor.

Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

History Major Checklist

This is a suggested plan to complete the program in four years. Students will take required courses at different times depending upon their choice of options and the combination of the major with a minor or other program.

*Needed to fulfill A&S college requirements.

Special Opportunities

A&S students enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. UC's urban, Tri-state location offers exciting opportunities for global education, research and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, a nationally recognized Center for Exploratory Studies and a highly successful First Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.

Special Programs

5-Year Bachelor's + Master's Degree

A master's degree in history can be earned upon completion of one additional year beyond the senior year. This program is designed for students who want to increase their marketability in a competitive job market. Students begin graduate coursework during their senior year.

To apply to the Department of History’s 4 + 1 B.A., M.A. program, students must be declared history majors. They must have at least a 3.5 GPA in history courses and a 3.3 GPA overall at the end of their junior year, when they must declare their interest in entering the 4 + 1 program in writing to the director of graduate studies. 

In addition to fulfilling all of the requirements of the undergraduate major, interested students must take Introduction to Historical Methodologies (an undergraduate cognate of the graduate course taught simultaneously) in the fall of their senior year.

Applicants will follow the usual application procedures in the fall of their senior year.  The graduate admissions committee will consider 4+1 applications along with all other applicants for admission and graduate assistantships (GA).  Those who receive and accept assistantship offers cannot complete the M.A. in one year.  Those who do not receive or accept a GA offer can complete the M.A. degree taking an accelerated approach.

Sample One-Year M.A. program:

Fall:
    Lit course or graduate seminar in major field (6 credit hours)
    Research sem (6 credit hours)
    Minor course (3 credit hours)

Winter:
    Lit course or graduate seminar in major field(6 credit hours)
    Research sem (6 credit hours)
    Minor course (3 credit hours)

Spring:
    Lit course or graduate seminar in major field (6 credit hours)
    Research sem (6 credit hours)
    Directed readings or 3-credit hour course in major field

Total Credit Hours: 45

Admission Requirements

Admission criteria for this program vary based on the relative strength of test scores, class rank and GPA. Please see the Freshman Class Profile for this major in the Quick Facts sidebar on this page for the range of academic credentials typically accepted into this program. Test scores in the lower range may be acceptable with higher class rank and/or GPA. Freshmen applying to this program should also have completed the following state of Ohio articulation requirements with no more than two units missing:

• English (4 units)*
• College-preparatory mathematics (3 units)*
• Science (2 units)
• Social science (2 units)
• Foreign language (2 units)*
• Additional college-prep subjects (3 units)

*McMicken College of Arts and Sciences does not allow units missing from these areas.

Transfer Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was not in any of the UC colleges must apply through the Office of Admissions. Applicants in this category must submit transcripts for all secondary school and college-level work. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all college-level work is required for admission consideration. Admission to A&S is generally available for any off-campus applicants who have received an associate degree from an accredited college or university and whose cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher.

University transfer scholarships are available to those who meet specific requirements and ANY admitted A&S transfer student might qualify for an A&S transfer scholarship. Deadlines and eligibility criteria are online via the previous links.

Changing Major Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was as a degree student in one of UC’s other colleges can apply directly to the A&S college office. Admission to A&S is generally available for any on-campus students who have:

• at least a 2.0 GPA in all college-level courses (both at UC and at other institutions),
• successfully completed two quarters of English Composition or its equivalent, and
• gained credit for a college-level mathematics course.

A&S students must meet the college residency requirement of 45.0 hours which begins immediately upon matriculation in the college and consists of courses taught within McMicken College of Arts and Sciences.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, students must:

• Earn at least 180 credits. This can include transfer credit, AP credit and free electives, but does not include preparatory coursework. Students who have met all other degree requirements must continue earning credit until the total number of their earned hours comes to at least 180.
• Attain a 2.0 grade point average for all courses taken at the University of Cincinnati.
• Be in good academic standing, that is, not on either academic probation or disciplinary probation or suspension.
• Complete the residency requirement by earning at least 45 credits after matriculating into the college. These minimum 45 credits must be taught within A&S (15), and also must be completed after gaining admission to the college.
• Complete all of the requirements of at least one major (see major requirements above).
• Complete the College Core Requirements.
• Submit an application for graduation to the registrar's office by their posted deadline.

Application Deadlines

UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning in late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While midyear admission is possible, fall quarter is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin in that quarter. Applicants to McMicken College of Arts and Sciences who are enrolled or who were previously enrolled as degree-seeking students in A&S or in other UC colleges should apply for admission directly to A&S (in French West, 2nd Floor). All other applicants who wish to earn an undergraduate degree from A&S should apply through the Office of Admissions (3rd Floor, University Pavilion).