Department of History
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Undergraduate Program
Other Programs Linked to the History Department
The UMBC history major and minor are excellent preparations for careers in government service, education,
business, communications and management. History's investigative and analytical
skills also prepare students for law school, graduate school, or other
professional programs.
The UMBC History Department's History/Social Studies Secondary Education option offers teacher-certification approved by the Maryland State Department of Education.
Each student is assigned an academic adviser from the department's faculty upon declaring history as a major or minor. Students may also request to be assigned to a particular faculty member. Upon initial assignment of an adviser, students are sent a copy of the Guide for UMBC History Majors and Minors, as well as information on careers for history majors. Advisees are urged to consult with their advisers, and to take part in activities of the Student History Council, which holds meetings on jobs and careers as part of its activities.
The CEEB Advanced Placement Examination allows students achieving a minimum score to be exempted from the corresponding required 100-level courses and to receive credit toward the history major requirements (and the university's graduation requirements). Students may be exempted for up to two 100 or 200 level required courses.
100 level courses may not be counted as elective credits. Electives must be distributed in such a way that each student has a minimum of 9 credits in American history and a minimum of 12 credits in European, Asian, Latin American, or African history. No more than 9 elective credits that may come from history department courses numbered 200-399* and at least 15 of the 24 elective credits must come from History Department courses numbered above 399**.
No grade lower than "C" in any course will be counted toward the major. As an exception to this rule, students may earn up to 3 "P" credits in HIST 391 (Internship) as part of the 24 elective credits in the history major requirements.
*For
students declaring the history major prior to Fall 2008, the requirement for
electives is: “No more than 9 credits in courses numbered 200-389.”
**For
students declaring the history major prior to Fall 2008, this requirement for
electives is: “Minimum 15 credits in courses numbered above 389.”
Geographic Designation of Courses for the Major
Studies major during the Fall 2002 semester and after. Be sure to check with a social studies advisor in the UMBC Department of Education for the most up-to-date Maryland state teacher certification requirements.
The Department of History offers a program for history majors who wish to become certified to teach history/social studies at the secondary level. This program has been approved by the Maryland State Department of Education. In completing the specific requirements of this program, students must also complete the normal requirements of the history major described above. In addition, students must be admitted to and complete UMBC's Secondary Education teacher certification program. Upon successful completion of the course work and student teaching, students are recommended for teacher certification in the State of Maryland.
The history/social studies secondary education program consists of 48 credits distributed as follows:
A. Required history courses (6 credits)
B. Required supplementary social studies course (9 credits)
C. Elective history courses (18 credits).
At least one course must relate
to each of the following areas:
1. Anthropology and sociology
2. A pluralistic society
3. Current affairs and controversial issues. (See either
history or education
advisors for a list of recommended
courses in these areas.)
For the most up-to-date information on the 39 credits in teacher education
required by the
State of Maryland, see an advisor in the
UMBC Department
of Education.
Advisors: Prof. Amy Froide froide@umbc.edu
The study of history provides excellent preparation for careers in law and the history major has traditionally been one of the most heavily represented undergraduate majors in American law schools. Recognizing this, the history department provides supplemental pre-law advising to those students considering law school.
Recognizing that a basic understanding of history is a crucial component of liberal undergraduate education rather than a luxury, the department offers a minor in history. It is designed to allow students to complement their career interests and vocational goals by studying history as an ancillary field. To earn a minor in history, in addition to their major in another discipline, students must complete a total of 18 credits in the history department. As with the major program, the minor requires that students complete two broad introductory-level courses. The required minimum score on CEEB Advanced Placement (AP) examinations may exempt a student from three of the six credits required in 100-level courses. After that, however, the minor provides great flexibility, allowing students the opportunity to concentrate on particular historical eras, interests, or areas. The minor consists of 18 credits distributed as follows:
Required courses (6 credits)
1. HIST 110 Western Civilization
up to 1700 or
HIST 111 Western Civilization Since 1700
(these courses replaced HIST 100 n Fall, 2007. Students may take
either HIST 110 or HIST 111, but do not need both)
2. HIST 101 American History to 1877 or
HIST 102 American History Since 1877
Elective courses (12 credits)
At least nine of these credits must be selected from 300- and 400-level courses.
No 100 level courses may be counted toward elective credits for the major.
The Department offers a minor in East Asian history which gives concrete recognition to students who have achieved a broad understanding of East Asia through the completion of the required program. It will provide excellent preparation for students pursuing careers in international affairs, education, journalism, business and law.
Electives must be distributed in such a way that each student has no less than 6 credits in Chinese history and no less than 6 credits in Japanese history. No grade lower than a "C" in any course will be counted toward the minor. The 15 credits should be selected from the following history courses:
The Department of History at UMBC offers a program leading to the award of Departmental Honors at graduation. (Note: This program is different from the University Honors Program administered by a separate office at UMBC). For departmental honors the following stipulations will apply:
To participate, a student must
have a junior status and a 3.5 grade point average in history courses.
Students with lower grade point averages can petition the Undergraduate
Committee. There are no requirements concerning overall GPA.
Students seeking departmental honors will follow the rules for a regular history major, but make the following additions and substitutions:
A. Students will take two courses at the 300h or 400h level to earn departmental honors credits. Taking the courses involves obtaining permission from the instructor teaching the course and negotiating a plan with that instructor for additional work earning the honors designation. Students should complete and submit the Departmental Honors Course Request before adding the course for honors credit. Students must earn at least a “B” in the two designated departmental honors courses.
B. In addition, departmental honors students
will take the two-term History 498-499 sequence (Honors Thesis in History) in
place of History 496 or 497. There will be a second reader for the Honors
Thesis, and the advisor and second reader will determine the format of the
summary review session. Prior to beginning work and registering, students
should complete the
Departmental HIST 498-499 Form which
requires permission from the advisor and the departmental honors
coordinator. Note:
because of this requirement, departmental honors students will complete their
major with a total of 42 credits in history rather than 39. Students must earn
at least a “B” in the 498-499 sequence to qualify for departmental honors.
Departmental honors students must complete a minimum of 21 credits in UMBC History courses and graduate with at least a 3.5 GPA in history courses.
Interested students should consult with a department faculty advisor no later than the fall semester of their junior year.
The history major and minor can be completed by evening or part-time students. A significant number of courses, including required courses, are offered in the late afternoon, evening, and summer. It should be noted, however, that not all courses are offered frequently or on a regular basis at those times.
History majors considering going on to an M.A. degree in historical studies may apply to enter the accelerated B.A./M.A. program offered by the department. Students should apply late in their sophomore or in their junior year in order to begin the program during their senior year. For further information contact the Department of History. Students need to complete the BA/MA form and make an appointment with the Department of History Graduate Program Director.
To apply, students must be a History major, have completed HIST 201 "Introduction to the Study of History," and have earned a minimum of 60 undergraduate credits. At least 15 of these must have been earned at UMBC and no less than 9 credits need to be in 300 or 400 level history courses. Students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall and 3.5 in history. Students with scores of at least 3 on the CEEB Advanced Placement examinations in American and European history may also qualify for an accelerated B.A./M.A. program.
Students with scores of at least 3 on the CEEB Advanced Placement examinations in American and European history may qualify for an accelerated B.A./M.A. program.
Financial Aid information is available from the UMBC Financial Aid Office (410-455-2387). Some History majors are also part of the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program or Humanities Scholars.
Internships complement academic training and expose students to valuable and practical new experiences by providing instruction beyond the classroom. Hands-on training under the close tutelage of a mentor helps shape personal, educational and professional goals. Internships afford students the opportunity to meet with proven leaders in their fields, establishing valuable contacts and networking opportunities vital to a future career. Internship experience also enhances the curriculum vitae and/or resume, strengthening a prospective job applicant's qualifications. Upon successful completion of an internship many supervisors provide effective letters of recommendation. In some cases, internships lead to full time positions within the organization. The Baltimore-Washington area offers unique opportunities for internships unmatched anywhere else in the United States. Institutions featuring local and broader topics in art, media, education, museums, government service, libraries and archives are readily accessible to UMBC students. Undergraduate students may earn academic credit for internships through HIST 391.