What are the specific requirements for the degree?
The History Major is a 41-credit program. Students choose three 100-level courses
from the "Foundations of Historical Study" menu of six courses and are required to
take HIST 295, HIST 296 (Careers in History), and HIST 495 (Senior Seminar) as part
of the "Career Development Curriculum." Students complete a career development element
by choosing two courses from a Professional Skills menu of seven courses. The larger
part of the program, "History in Depth," involves the student in the selection of
six topical, upper division history courses from the designated groups: United States,
Europe, and Global.
What is the difference between the B.A. in History and the B.S. in History?
To earn a B.A. in History, the student must complete at least two semesters of one
language in a foreign or sign language program. Students pursuing the B.S. in History
must take 6-8 semester hours, beyond the core curriculum requirements, from the department-approved
list of courses. Please consult the undergraduate catalog for more information. Students
who intend to pursue graduate work in History are strongly advised to meet the requirements
of the B.A. degree, and to prepare themselves by choosing academically-sound and challenging
courses in consultation with their advisers.
Are internships available?
Yes, students can earn 3-15 semester hours in History or related disciplines for a
one-semester internship with a museum, historical society, public or private agency,
or politician. The department can provide general advice in this area. For more information,
please contact Dr. Sharon Roger Hepburn (shepburn@radford.edu). If the internship is related to a discipline outside the field of history, then,
the student should work in close consultation with the department granting credit
for the internship since it will approve and supervise the course of study.
Are there study abroad programs available?
The History Department provides opportunities for study abroad. Summer study aboard
history courses are offered on a regular basis, and more study aboard courses are
available through the university International Programs office.
What special skills or abilities will I develop as a History major in a liberal arts
context?
Skills acquired through a History major include the following: communications skills,
including enhanced writing and speaking skills; ability to gather information through
reading and research; ability to analyze large quantities of data; ability to summarize
and synthesize information; ability to draw logical conclusions from information;
critical thinking skills; and the ability to place specific events into a larger context.
In addition students acquire an ability to draw and appreciate cross-cultural comparisons.
How do I receive certification to teach at the secondary level?
Students who want to teach social studies should declare a Social Science major (Teaching
option), and complete a specified core of semester hours in education, which includes
classroom instruction, observation in the schools, and student teaching. Students
should make application to the Teacher Education Program in the School of Teacher
Education and Leadership no later than their junior year and must pass through a screening
program in the History Department. A minimum 2.75 GPA is required for admission to
the program, but is not in itself a guarantee of admission.
Where can I obtain additional information about careers in History?
Talk to your faculty advisor, other departmental faculty, and consult the career information
on this website. Other resources are the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences Advising Center, Career and Talent Development or the Office of Admissions.
What are the specific requirements for the degree?
The Social Science major has two options: a non-teaching option and a teaching option.
Students must first declare the teaching option, and earn at least 30 hours in the teaching
option, before they can move to the non-teaching option.
Social Science majors pursuing the Teaching option take 45 semester hours including
21 hours in History, 12 hours in Political Science, 6 hours in Geography, and 6 hours
in Economics. Social Science majors pursuing the Non-Teaching option take 51 semester
hours including 18 hours in History, 12 hours in Political Science, 6 hours in Geography,
and 3 hours in Economics. Students in the Non-Teaching option also take two additional
upper level courses in one of the above-listed disciplines. Within the major (either
option) certain specific courses are required.
What is the difference between the B.A. in Social Science and the B.S. in Social Science?
To earn a B.A. in Social Science, students must take 6-8 semester hours in one foreign
language or American Sign Language. Students pursuing the B.S. in Social Science must
take 6-8 semester hours from the department-approved list of courses. Please consult
the undergraduate catalog for more information. Students who intend to pursue graduate
work in any of the Social Sciences are strongly advised to meet the requirements of
the B.A. degree, and also they should consider developing a double major in Social
Science and one of the specific Social Science disciplines.
Are internships available?
Yes, students can earn 3-15 semester hours in a Social Science discipline for a one-semester
internship with a museum, historical society, public agency, or politician. Individual
departments can provide general advice in this area. The student should work in close
consultation with the department granting credit for the internship since it will
approve and supervise the internship.
What special skills or abilities will I develop as a Social Science major in a liberal
arts context?
Skills acquired through a Social Science major include the following: communications
skills, including enhanced writing and speaking skills; ability to gather information
through reading and research; ability to analyze large quantities of data; ability
to summarize and synthesize information; ability to draw logical conclusions from
information; critical thinking skills; and the ability to place specific events into
a larger context.
How do I receive certification to teach at the secondary level?
A Social Science major seeking teaching licensure must complete a specified core of
semester hours in education, which includes classroom instruction, observation in
the schools, and student teaching. Students should make application to the Teacher
Education Program in the School of Teacher Education and Leadership no later than
their junior year and must pass through a screening program in their major. A minimum
2.75 GPA is required for admission to the program, but is not in itself a guarantee
of admission. Students must pass the PRAXIS II exam in social studies before beginning
student teaching. Education courses are taken by students during their final semesters
before graduation.
Where can I obtain additional information about careers in History?
Talk to your faculty advisor, other departmental faculty, and consult the career information
on this website. Other resources are the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences Advising Center, Career and Talent Development or the Office of Admissions.
The Department of History at Radford University supports two honor societies for students who have excelled academically in their chosen field of study. Phi Alpha Theta recognizes students who have achieved excellence in the study of history, and Pi Gamma Mu, acknowledges students who have demonstrated outstanding work in the social sciences.
Phi Alpha Theta is a professional society whose purpose is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication, and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians.
Phi Alpha Theta seeks to bring students, teachers, and writers of history together both intellectually and socially; and it encourages and assists historical research and publication by its members.*
The Tau Kappa Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta has existed at Radford University since 1972.
Every semester, usually in November and in April, new members are inducted. To qualify,
undergraduate students must have completed at least 12 semester hours in history.
In addition, applicants must have earned a 3.0 grade point average overall, and a
3.1 grade average in all history courses taken.
Members of the Tau Kappa Chapter meet to discuss historical issues and scholarship,
among themselves and with faculty members. They are also active in supporting History
Day at Radford University and in helping to bring public speakers to campus.
For further information, please contact Dr. Brock Cutler at bcutler2@radford.edu.
*From, "This is Phi Alpha Theta: International Honor Society in History"
Pi Gamma Mu is the oldest honor society on the Radford University campus. The Virginia Epsilon chapter at Radford University was chartered in 1928, when the university was just 18 years old. The organization is dedicated to the promotion of the Social Sciences in all of its multifaceted aspects and encourages both the development of leadership skills and social service. Included among the Social Sciences are the four core areas of History, Political Science, Geography, and Economics, as well as Sociology and Anthropology, International Relations, Social Psychology, Social Philosophy, Criminal Justice and Social Work.
For further information, please contact Dr. Brock Cutler at bcutler2@radford.edu
So what do I do with a history major? That is the question most frequently asked by students who are considering the study of history. The short answer: Anything that you want to do! Often people believe that the study of history is a teacher preparation program, and that is all. History majors do become teachers, but they also become journalists, lawyers, bankers, public relations specialists, web designers, intelligence analysts, librarians, foreign service officers, museum curators, stock brokers, park rangers...and the list goes on. The point is that history provides students with universal skills. History majors hone the ability to ask probing questions, think analytically, and express themselves well--both in writing and orally. Business, banks, tech firms all need people with such skills. In short, history majors give themselves options, and, as a result, people who were history majors make the same amount at mid-career as people who were business majors.
Below is a list of web sites that provide career guidance for history majors.