Undergraduate Requirements

Why Major in History?

The undergraduate program, which leads to an B.A. in history, provides rigorous training in research, analysis, and writing. Because students of history learn to evaluate evidence, write well, and think clearly, the history major is excellent training for almost any career, including law, business, international affairs and journalism. Whether or not your plans include further education after Syracuse, majoring in history is a practical choice.

Major  Requirements

The program requires 30 credits (10 courses) in history, 21 (7 courses) of which must be in junior- or senior-level courses numbered 300 or higher. All students must take 6 credits (2 courses) in one of the following foundation sequences: HST 101-102; HST 111-112; HST 210-211-212 (any two of the three). All students must take HST 401, the Senior Seminar (3 credits/1 course). In addition, distribution requirements apply, depending on your class year.

Students who matriculated in Fall 2000 or later must take at least 3 credits (1 course) in each of the three distribution areas: American, European, Non-Western. Also, students must choose a concentration in one of these three areas, by taking at least 15 credits (5 courses) in a single area. Up to 6 credits (2 courses) of lower-division survey, and 3 credits (1 course) of HST 401, may be counted toward this goal.

Students who matriculated before Fall 2000 must take at least 6 credits (2 courses) in at least two of the three distribution areas (American, European, Non-Western).

Minor Requirements

To complete a history minor, students must take 18 credits (6 courses) in history, including: 6 credits (2 courses) in lower-division and 6 credits (2 courses) in upper-division courses (300 or higher) in a single general area of history (American, European, or Non-Western), and 3 credits (1 course) in HST 401, the Senior Seminar.

There are no distribution requirements for the minor.