Union Commonwealth University's History majors and minors work in a variety of fields with careers including lawyers, financial managers, educators, supervisors, and chief executives.

Median Pay: $63,000 per year 

Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's

Number of Jobs: 1,268,400

Job Outlook: 62% of jobs in this field require at least a bachelor's degree

Above information sourced from 2021 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A minimum 2.0 GPA is the requirement for admission at Union Commonwealth University. 

History Major B.A. Requirements (44 Credit Hours)

Requires 44 semester hours (Including 12 hours foreign language):

Program Core (14 hours)-required courses:

HIST 211 Topics in Global History (3 Credit Hours)

A study of such topics in global history as the building and maintenance of empire, colonization and de-colonization, impact of industrialization and secularization on societies around the world, nationalisms and revolutionary movements, and religious and ideological antagonisms (e.g., Islam and the West). The reading and interpretation of primary sources of historical information receives special attention. Course may be taken for credit more than once provided that the topic of the course is different each time it is taken.

HIST 212 Historical Research and Methods (3 Credit Hours)

Gathering and criticism of data; bibliographies and aids; problems in historiography, composition analysis, and the final monograph. Regardless of the monograph topic chosen by the student, this course does not count toward either the United States or non-United States requirement within the major. This course must be taken in conjunction with another history course.

HIST 301 Readings in U.S. History (3 Credit Hours)

A course allowing students (History, History/Political Science Majors and History Minors) to explore subjects in history not covered in the regular courses. Prerequisite: HIST 211 and permission from instructor.

HIST 302 Readings in Non-U.S. History (1 Credit Hour)

A course allowing students (History, History/Political Science Majors and History Minors) to explore subjects in history not covered in the regular courses. Prerequisite: HIST 211 and permission from instructor.

HUMN 477 Philosophy of Life (3 Credit Hours)

The senior Capstone seminar for History and Religious Studies majors (but any student may take the course).

HIST 476 Special Topics in World History (3 Credit Hours)

An intense, analytic study of a major problem or topic in world history. May be repeated for credit as long as the topic is different. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level History course or permission from instructor. Even years only.

Or

HIST 475 Special Topics: American History (3 Credit Hours)

Topics that might be covered include, but are not limited to such titles as Colonial America, the Early National Period, Industrial America in the Gilded Age, the Progressive Era and World War I, the Period between the World Wars, World War II, the United States since 1945, the Vietnam War, American Economic History, American Constitutional History, African-American History, and the American South. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level History course or permission from instructor. Even years only.

U.S. History (9 hours)-students will complete 3 of the following courses:

HIST 311 American History to 1848 (3 Credit Hours)

An examination of colonial society and culture, the Revolution, the Constitution, the early national period, Jacksonian Democracy, and historiography. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level course in history or permission from instructor.

HIST 312 American History from 1848 to 1919 (3 Credit Hours)

A consideration of the Civil War, Reconstruction, industrialization, Populism, Progressivism, World War I, and historiography. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level course in History or permission from instructor.

HIST 408 American Presidency (3 Credit Hours)

This course examines the rich and vital religious landscape of the United States, and its contribution to shaping larger society. Students will explore religious life in America through the engagement of primary and secondary texts. By studying the expansion of religious life in the nation, moreover, students will develop a deeper understanding of how particular ideas underpinning American society have continuously informed and reshaped religious expression. Specific attention will be given to the way religious ideas, organizations, and people have influenced laws, social movements, culture, and the physical landscape.

HIST 413 Twentieth Century America (3 Credit Hours)

Selected topics on the nation’s history since 1919, including the 1920s, the Great Depression and New Deal, World War II, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Revolution, and political and social developments since 1945. Prerequisites: a previous 200-level course in history or permission from instructor.

HIST 431 American Revolutionary Era 1763-1789 (3 Credit Hours)

A study of the causes, events, and consequences of the American Revolution from the end of the Seven Years War through the ratification of the Constitution. Historiographical controversies will be emphasized. Prerequisites: HIST 311 or permission from instructor. Odd years only.

HIST 433 History of Appalachia (3 Credit Hours)

A survey of the region from settlement to the present, with emphasis on the period since the Civil War. The course examines the diversity of historical development within the region, and the paradox of relative isolation along with integrating aspects of industrialization and modernization. Odd years only.

HIST 441 Civil War & Reconstruction 1848-1877 (3 Credit Hours)

A study of the events, causes, and consequences of the American Civil War. Attention is paid to primary sources, and especially the analysis of conflicting scholarly interpretations. Prerequisite: History 312 or permission from instructor. Odd years only.

HIST 495 Independent Study course: U.S. History (3 Credit Hours)

Independent study and/or research on approved topics. Prerequisite: permission from instructor.

Non-U.S. History (9 hours)-students will complete 3 of the following courses:

HIST 110 Roots of Civilization (3 Credit Hours)

A study of civilizations of the ancient world designed to introduce students to the study of history and allied disciplines such as religious studies and art history. The course includes a brief survey of the rise of the first cities in river valleys of the ancient world and focuses on the development of one or two major civilizations of the ancient world; for example, those of Greece, Rome, India, or China.

HIST 221 History and Culture of Spain and Portugal (3 Credit Hours)

An introduction to the history and culture of Spain and Portugal, which serves as the foundation course for upper-level courses dealing with the history and culture of those regions and Latin America. Even years only.

HIST 223 History of Latin America (3 Credit Hours)

Course is an overview of the history of Latin America from the colonial period to the present day. Odd years only.

HIST 241 History of Britain to 1485 (3 Credit Hours)

The course covers the history of Britain from the Roman period to the rise of the House of Tudor. The social and political impact of Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and Normand invasions are examined. Relations with continental Europe and developments in church-state relations as principal focal points. The course may cross-list with RLGN 251. Odd years only.

HIST 242 History of Britain from 1485-1832 (3 Credit Hours)

A study of British history from the Tudor Monarchy to the first half of the 19th century, with emphasis on political and institutional developments, social and cultural developments, and the rise of the British empire. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level course in history or permission from instructor. Even years only.

HIST 331 Late Classic & Medieval History Topics (3 Credit Hours)

The course examines the social, political, and cultural developments in Europe during the Middle Ages, with particular attention to interaction between Christian and Islamic civilizations. Possible topics for a course include the transmission and transformation of the Latin intellectual tradition from the late Roman Empire to the Renaissance, the classical intellectual tradition in the Islamic world, the development and spread of monasticism, feudal monarchy and the papacy, the crusades, and commercial and cultural interaction between Europe and the Near East. The course is designed for students who have already had a survey course on the period. Prerequisite: HUMN 112/HIST 113 or permission from instructor. The course may be cross-listed with RLGN 331.

HIST 443 Modern Britain (3 Credit Hours)

A study of modern British history from the early 19th century to the era of New Labour. Emphasis will be given to the impact of the world wars, the decline of British power, the rise of the welfare state, and the role of Britain in Europe. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level course in History or permission from instructor. Even years only.

HIST 446 History of Russia (3 Credit Hours)

Russian history since 1689. Survey of the political and social changes in Russia from the time of Peter the Great to the present, including an extensive review of the origins and development of the modern Soviet state. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level course in History or permission from instructor.

HIST 451 Topics in Early European History (3 Credit Hours)

A study of developments in European politics, society, and culture in the period of 1350 to 1650. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level course in history or permission from instructor. Students may take the class for credit more than once as the topic changes. Odd years only. Cross-lists with RLGN 452.

HIST 452 Topics in Modern European History (3 Credit Hours)

A study of the political, social, and cultural history of Europe from the Congress of Vienna to the contemporary era of European integration. Possible topics are the process of modernization, nationalism, secularization, the world wars, and the course of European history since 1945. Students may take the class for credit more than once as the topic changes. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level course in History or permission from instructor.

HIST 461 Islamic Religion & Civilization (3 Credit Hours)

The political and religious history of the Middle East from the beginnings of Islam to the beginning of the modern era. Particular attention is given to interaction with Byzantine and medieval Christian civilizations. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level course in History or permission from instructor. Even years only. Cross-lists with RLGN 462. 

HIST 495 Independent Study course: Non-U.S. History (3 Credit Hours)

Independent study and/or research on approved topics. Prerequisite: permission from instructor.

Foreign Language Component (12 hours)-students must complete 12 hours of foreign language. Students may substitue up to 6 hours of Logic for foreign language:

Foreign Language Course (3 Credit Hours)

Foreign Language Course (3 Credit Hours)

Foreign Language Course (3 Credit Hours)

Foreign Language Course (3 Credit Hours)

History Major B.S. Requirements (32 Credit Hours)

Requires 32 semester hours including:

HIST 211 Topics in Global History (3 Credit Hours)

A study of such topics in global history as the building and maintenance of empire, colonization and de-colonization, impact of industrialization and secularization on societies around the world, nationalisms and revolutionary movements, and religious and ideological antagonisms (e.g., Islam and the West). The reading and interpretation of primary sources of historical information receives special attention. Course may be taken for credit more than once provided that the topic of the course is different each time it is taken.

HIST 212 Historical Research and Methods (3 Credit Hours)

Gathering and criticism of data; bibliographies and aids; problems in historiography, composition analysis, and the final monograph. Regardless of the monograph topic chosen by the student, this course does not count toward either the United States or non-United States requirement within the major. This course must be taken in conjunction with another history course.

HIST 301 Readings in U.S. History (3 Credit Hours)

A course allowing students (History, History/Political Science Majors and History Minors) to explore subjects in history not covered in the regular courses. Prerequisite: HIST 211 and permission from instructor.

HIST 302 Readings in Non-U.S. History (1 Credit Hour)

A course allowing students (History, History/Political Science Majors and History Minors) to explore subjects in history not covered in the regular courses. Prerequisite: HIST 211 and permission from instructor.

Elective Hours:

U.S. History (12 Credit Hours)

Non-U.S. History (12 Credit Hours)

One of the elective courses must be:

HIST 475 Special Topics: American History (3 Credit Hours)

Topics that might be covered include, but are not limited to such titles as Colonial America, the Early National Period, Industrial America in the Gilded Age, the Progressive Era and World War I, the Period between the World Wars, World War II, the United States since 1945, the Vietnam War, American Economic History, American Constitutional History, African-American History, and the American South. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level History course or permission from instructor. Even years only.

Or

HIST 476 Special Topics in World History (3 Credit Hours)

An intense, analytic study of a major problem or topic in world history. May be repeated for credit as long as the topic is different. Prerequisite: a previous 200-level History course or permission from instructor. Even years only.

Or

HUMN 477 Philosophy of Life (3 Credit Hours)

The senior Capstone seminar for History and Religious Studies majors (but any student may take the course).

History Minor Requirements (21 Credit Hours)

21 Semester Hours in History including:

HIST 211 Topics in Global History (3 Credit Hours)

A study of such topics in global history as the building and maintenance of empire, colonization and de-colonization, impact of industrialization and secularization on societies around the world, nationalisms and revolutionary movements, and religious and ideological antagonisms (e.g., Islam and the West). The reading and interpretation of primary sources of historical information receives special attention. Course may be taken for credit more than once provided that the topic of the course is different each time it is taken.