Program Requirements (33-48 hours)

A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.

Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.

The History major requires 33 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Twenty-four credit-hours must be at the 300- or 400-level. A minor or second major is required. For students who choose not to declare a concentration, 15 hours will be in foundational study, historical research, and required electives; an additional 18 hours will be flexible electives. For students declaring a concentration, 21 hours will be in foundational study, historical research, and required and flexible electives; an additional 12 hours will be in the concentration. 

The Extended History major requires 48 unduplicated credit hours and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Thirty-six credit-hours must be at the 300- or 400-level. No minor or second major is required. For students completing the extended program, 15 hours will be in foundational study, historical research, and required electives. Nine hours will be flexible electives. Students pursuing the Extended History major may elect to complete two 12-hour concentrations, or students may complete one 12-hour concentration and then craft an individualized curriculum plan in consultation with their faculty advisor for an additional 12 hours of flexible electives.

Core Courses

Note: Students may select up to six hours of elective courses from outside of the HIST prefix in consultation with a department undergraduate advisor and with approval of the department’s lead advisor, program coordinator, or department chair. Additionally, other History courses may be approved for elective categories with approval of department’s lead advisor, program coordinator, or department chair.

History Major (without an Optional Concentration)

The History major allows students to explore and focus on their individual interests while developing skills that will ensure success in business, law, government, and education. Students who choose not to declare a concentration should complete four additional history courses.

Concentrations

Students may complete more than one concentration. However, a single elective cannot count toward completion of more than one concentration. Students who choose to declare a concentration within the major may choose from the following:

Cultural History Concentration

History of Identity Concentration

Peace, Conflict, and Human Rights Concentration

Legal and Constitutional History Concentration

Africana History Concentration

History of Science, Environment, and Medicine Concentration

Public History Concentration

Note: Students in the Public History Concentration are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to select up to six hours of elective courses from outside of the major in consultation with a department undergraduate advisor and with approval of the department’s lead advisor, program coordinator, or department chair. In particular, Public History students are encouraged to consider courses in the Recreation, Park, and Nonprofit Administration, Folk Studies, Anthropology, and Management programs.

History of Religion Concentration

Note: Students in any concentration may take up to six hours of elective courses from outside of the HIST prefix in consultation with a department undergraduate advisor and with approval of the department’s lead advisor, program coordinator, or department chair. Students in the History of Religion Concentration only may take an additional 6 hours of courses in the RELS prefix, for a total of 12 hours outside of the HIST prefix.

Finish in Four Plans

Finish in Four Plan

Finish in Four Plan - Extended Major