Special Opportunities for History Majors
The Undergraduate Professional Track
The History Department provides opportunities for its undergraduate majors to explore the field of public history and to undertake internships at local historical institutions. Students who are admitted to the "Professional Track" program choose to take either Museum Studies (3 credits) in the spring semester of their junior year or Archival Studies (3 credits) in the fall semester of their senior year. Upon the successful completion of the course, they will become eligible for a three-credit internship aspect of their course work. The Department will make every effort to place the student in an internship, depending on the availability of an appropriate placement. The six credits in the professional sequence will not count towards the required 30 credits in History.
Students apply for this program during the fall semester of their junior year. They must meet the following requirements:
1. A 3.0 overall QPA
2. A 3.3 QPA in their History courses
3. The completion of 15 credits in History by the end of the fall semester of their junior year, including U.S. to 1877 and U.S. since 1877 (HIST 203 and HIST 204, respectively) and Writing History (HIST 311W). Students are strongly urged to take Public History: Peoples' Pasts (HIST 396).
4. Letters of recommendation from two History professors
Directed Readings
It is expected that students will fulfill all course requirements for their degree through regularly scheduled courses. Under exceptional circumstances, normally only after the completion of 15 credit hours toward the degree, it may be acceptable and advisable for students to request a Directed Readings courses. In such a case, the student must make a case for the necessity of the course to the Department Chair and identify the faculty member who can oversee the Directed Readings course. The approval of the faculty member, as well as the Chair, must be obtained. The Department is not required to approve or to provide a Directed Readings course for the student.
Students may enroll in no more than two Directed Readings courses during the course of their program. These courses may be tutorials with a professor or they may include sitting in on a topical undergraduate class. In either case, the professor and student must establish an extensive reading list and program of assignments before or as the semester begins and submit that syllabus to the Department.
Honors in History
Students who are planning to pursue a graduate degree in History should apply for the Department's Seniors Honors Seminar (HIST 491W) in the fall of their senior year. This course is offered every spring. Students receiving Honors in History must meet the following criteria:
1. a 3.3 overall QPA
2. a 3.5 QPA in their History courses
3. the completion of Writing History (HIST 311W) with a grade of B+ or better
4. two letters of recommendation from History professors attesting to the student's ability to do advanced research and writing
5. the completion of the Seniors Honors Seminar (HIST 491W) with a grade of B or better
OR
1. a 3.3 overall QPA
2. a 3.6 or better QPA in their History courses
3. the completion of Writing History (HIST 311W) with a grade of B+ or better
4. the completion of eleven courses within the major (at least 9 are DU graded courses) of which two must be 400W-level courses with a grade of B+ or better
Pre-Graduate School Preparation
Many History majors aspire to continue their study of the discipline in graduate school with the hope of teaching at a college or university. Competition for admission into Ph.D. programs is stiff. Graduating with Honors in History is an asset for students who aspire to continue their education in graduate school. There may be, however, good students who do not quite meet the QPA requirements for History Honors. Since it is highly advisable that anyone going to graduate school have the experience of researching and writing a major paper, these students may petition the Department for admission into the Senior Honors Seminar. They must present samples of their previously written work and letters of recommendation from two History professors attesting to their ability to do advanced research and writing. The Seminar Director will have final say as to their admittance into the course.
For more helpful tips about applying to graduate school, check out our Life After History at Duquesne section.
Pre-Law Track
Majoring in History is an excellent preparation for law school. A high proportion of law school students are former History majors. Studying the discipline is a fine way to hone the critical thinking and writing skills that will be invaluable for the study and practice of law. While almost any combination of History courses will be valuable, the Department offers a series of law-related courses and recommends that pre-law students select one or more of these classes:
• U.S. History I and II
• The History of Ancient Law
• Constitutional History of the United States
• American Law in Socio-Historical Perspective
Exceptional students might want to consider the College's 3-3 Program. A student who has completed 90 credits with a 3.5 overall average and satisfied all undergraduate curricular requirements may apply for the bachelor's degree after the successful completion of their first year of professional work in an accredited law school.
Double Major: History and English
The History and English Departments have established a formal double major. Students who elect this program must complete 30 credits in their first major and 24 credits in their second major. Complete information about this program is available in either Departmental office .
Double Major: History and Art History
As undertaking a double major program, rather than simply pursuing two majors, may result in a more coherent course of study, the department has created the following options for students wishing to concentrate in the complementary fields of History and Art History. A double major in History and Art History is a particularly attractive option for those considering further studies and then a career in Public History.
Students who elect this program must complete 31 credits in their first major and 24 credits in their second major. Complete information about this program is available in the History Department.
Note: a student may still choose to do both majors independently, fulfilling all credit requirements in both (62 credits), instead of through the designated programs below.
Joint Degree Program: B.A. in History/B.S. in Education
As the content demands for aspiring secondary teachers increase, one way for a student to prepare better for a career in education is to get both a B.A. in History and a B.S. in Secondary Education. The Department has put together a program, in conjunction with the School of Education, which will allow students to receive both degrees. The total credits for the joint program will range from 128 to 136 credits, depending on the number of credits required to complete the College's language requirement. Students should be able to complete the program within four years by taking an occasional overload or enrolling in summer classes.
Joint Degree Program: B.A. in History/B.S. in Business Administration
The College of Liberal Arts offers a joint degree program with the School of Business. Students in the program must complete the requirements for both schools and must plan their course of study carefully if they expect to graduate in four years. There is also a Certificate in Business available. History majors who believe they will want to work in this field should consult their College advisors regarding the requirements for each of these programs. These opportunities offer excellent preparation, combining as they do the breadth of a liberal arts education with the specific knowledge and skills desired by the business world.
Joint Undergraduate/Graduate Programs
A History major with a 3.0 overall average and a 3.3 in History may take six credits in graduate courses in the senior year with the permission of her or his mentor and the Department Chair. Such a student may apply for the Master's Program and, upon acceptance, apply these courses to the M.A. requirements.
The College also offers a five-year program with the Graduate School of Business that allows students to earn both a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Business Administration in five years. Information is available from the academic advisor.
Phi Alpha Theta
The University has a chapter of the national History honorary society, Phi Alpha Theta. Every spring, deserving undergraduates in their junior and senior years are invited to join the society. Undergraduate students who will be considered for membership into Phi Alpha Theta must meet the following criteria:
• The completion of at least 12 semester hours in History (4 classes)
• GPA of at least 3.1 in History
• QPA of 3.0 or better overall
Art/History Society
The Art/History Society is a club advised by Art History faculty member Dr. Julia A. Sienkewicz and was created to provide an opportunity for History and Art History majors and minors, graduate students, and other "fans of History and Art History" (faculty and staff alike!) to meet each other, go to galleries, historical sites, and museums, and participate in social events for the historically and artistically inclined. If you're interested in joining, contact Dr. Sienkewicz.
It's even on Facebook!