School of Education & Social Sciences · Bachelor’s degree
Bachelor’s in History
Understand the past to make sense of the present.
History sharpens how you read, write, and think. MVU’s history major covers American and world history, teaches you to work with primary sources, and ends with your own senior thesis.
120
credit hours to graduate
31
credit hours in the major
On campus
in Marshall, Missouri
4 years
at a full-time pace
Why history at MVU
Skills that last a lifetime
Study the people, choices, and events that shaped the world, and learn to analyze them yourself.
American and world history
Build a foundation in American history and world civilizations.
Historical methods
Learn to find, read, and interpret primary and secondary sources.
Senior thesis
Research and write your own senior thesis on a topic you choose.
Is this program for me?
This program may be a great fit if you want to…
- Love reading, writing, and debate.
- Understand how today’s world came to be.
- Prepare for law school, teaching, public service, or graduate study.
- Build strong research and critical thinking skills.
What will I learn to do?
Skills you’ll practice and grow
- Explain major developments in U.S., world, and European history.
- Explain how American government and the Constitution work.
- Compare different world systems.
- Find and interpret primary and secondary sources.
- Weigh multiple viewpoints on the past.
How the degree works
How your 120 credit hours add up
Here’s how the degree is built. Your advisor helps you choose courses each term.
01
General education core
At least 42 credit hours across writing, speaking, math, science, social science, and the humanities.
02
History core
16 credit hours: American history, world civilizations, historical methods, and a senior thesis.
03
Upper-level history
15 credit hours of upper-division history courses you choose.
04
Electives or a minor
Use the rest of your 120 hours for electives, a minor, or even a second major.
Good to know: Senior history majors complete a senior thesis (HIST 460) and take an in-house exam. Suggested courses outside the major include public speaking, government, psychology, philosophy, sociology, and world religions.
Explore the curriculum
What you’ll study
Here are the courses in the major. Your advisor helps you plan the order.
History core (16 credit hours)
- HIST 104 Foundations of American History I
- HIST 105 Foundations of American History II
- HIST 115 History of World Civilizations I
- HIST 116 History of World Civilizations II
- HIST 360 Historical Methods
- HIST 460 Senior Thesis (1 credit)
Upper-division history (15 credit hours)
- Five upper-division history courses chosen with your advisor
General education core (at least 42 credit hours)
- Social and behavioral science (9 hours) from at least two subjects, including one constitution course: HIST 104, HIST 105, or POLS 100
- Written communication (6 hours): ENGL 130 Rhetoric and Composition, plus ENGL 160 or HONR 190
- Oral communication (3 hours), such as COMM 100 Public Speaking & Introduction to Communication
- Natural science: 7 hours from at least two subjects, including a lab (BS); 3 hours (BA and BFA)
- Mathematics (3 hours)
- Humanities and fine arts: 9 hours (BS) or 12 hours (BA and BFA) from at least three subjects, covering the arts and creativity, ethics, and culture and society
- Additional general education from any area, to reach at least 42 hours
- Plus one Writing Intensive (WI) course and one Service Learning (SL) course, which can overlap with other requirements
Graduation requirements
- Complete at least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Earn a major GPA of 2.0 or higher, with no grade below C and no pass/fail grades in the major.
- Complete at least 36 credit hours of upper-division (300- and 400-level) courses.
- Complete your last 30 credit hours, and at least 12 hours of your major, at MVU.
- Complete the major assessment requirement.
- Apply for graduation and pay the $100 graduation fee.
Getting started
Three steps to begin
Applying to MVU is free, and most students finish the application in a few minutes.
02
Send your transcripts
Send your high school transcript, plus official transcripts from any college or dual credit courses. Transferring? See the transfer steps.
03
Plan how you’ll pay
Explore scholarships, grants, and loans on Tuition & Financial Aid, or request information for current tuition.
Can I teach history?
If you want to teach middle or high school, look at Social Studies Education 9–12, which leads to Missouri teacher certification.
Is there a minor?
Yes. The history minor adds history to any other major.
Can I add a minor or a second major?
Yes. A minor is optional and appears on your transcript; it must be in a different subject than your major. You can also double major by completing all the requirements for both majors. You’ll receive one diploma.
What do I need to graduate?
- At least 120 credit hours with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- A C or higher in every major course.
- At least 36 upper-division credit hours.
- Your last 30 credit hours at MVU.
- An application for graduation and the $100 graduation fee.
Talk with the Dean
Have questions about courses, your thesis, or how to plan your degree? Reach out. We’re happy to talk through your goals.
Bachelor’s in History
