BA in History

Units required for Major: 45
Total units required for BA: 120

Program Description

History, in the broad sense, is the study of all human experience. It examines the people, institutions, ideas, and events from the past to the present. The study of history contributes to cultural literacy and develops critical thinking and other useful skills while helping students understand the present and plan for the future. Historical study provides a solid, fundamental preparation for careers in business, industry, government, and education. It also serves as excellent preparation for law school, foreign service, international work, urban affairs, historical consulting, and library science.

History is an academic discipline offering both breadth and focus. At Sacramento State, the History major includes four lower division survey courses and three upper division seminars. In addition, students choose seven upper division electives from a wide variety available. The flexibility of the major allows students to focus on topical areas such as: women's history, the history of particular geographic areas, cultural history, ethnic group history, economic history, military history, and history from the ancient world to that of the U.S. in the 20th Century. Teaching credential candidates should complete the History/Social Science Pre-credential Program.

Minimum Grade Requirement

A minimum grade of "C-" is required in courses applied to the major.

Program Requirements

Required Lower Division Courses (12 Units)
HIST 17AUnited States History, 1607-1877 13
HIST 17BUnited States History, 1877-Present 13
HIST 50World History I: to 15003
HIST 51World History from 1500 to the Present.3
Required Upper Division Courses (15 Units) 2
HIST 100Introduction to Historical Skills3
HIST 100R (Developing Historical Skills) 13
HIST 133Twentieth-Century World History3
Select one of the following:3
Seminar in Recent Interpretations of United States History
Seminar in Recent Interpretations of European History
Seminar in Recent Interpretations of Asian History
Seminar in Recent Interpretations of African History
Seminar in Recent Interpretations of Latin American History
Seminar in Recent Interpretations of a Special Topic
Select one of the following:3
Senior Research Seminar: United States History
Senior Research Seminar: World History
Senior Research Seminar: Public History
Upper Division Electives (15 Units)
Select one of the following courses in Historically Underrepresented Communities in the U.S.3
History of American Women
American Indian History to 1840
American Indian History since 1840
LGBTQ Histories
Queer Black Histories
The History of the Civil Rights Movement: From Reconstruction to Deconstruction, 1865-Present
History of Disability in the United States
History of Madness in the United States
Disability in World History: A Comparative History
Sex, Population, and Birth Control in America
Health, Death and Disease in America
African Cultural Heritage in the Americas
The African-American Experience, 1603-Present
Mexican-American History
American Immigration History
Select four additional upper division history courses selected in consultation with an advisor12
Upper or Lower Division Elective (3 Units)
Select one History course at the upper or lower division level in consultation with an advisor.3
Total Units45

Notes: 

  • Students should consult with a faculty advisor in their first semester at Sacramento State.
  • Study of a foreign language is recommended.
  • For substitutions in requirements, students should consult with a faculty advisor early in their program. Substitutions require the approval of the Department Chair.

General Education Requirements1

Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units)
A1 - Oral Communication3
A2 - Written Communication3
A3 - Critical Thinking 23
Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (13 Units)
B1 - Physical Science3
B2 - Life Forms3
B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5)1
B4 - Math Concepts3
B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units)
C1 - Arts3
C2 - Humanities 33
C1/C2 - Area C Course 33
C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area D: The Individual and Society (9 Units)
Area D Course 33
Area D Course3
Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units)
Area E Course 43
Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units)
Area F Course3
Total Units49

Graduation Requirements1

Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (6 Units)
American Institutions: U.S. History 20
American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government3
Writing Intensive (WI)3
Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (9 Units)
English Composition II3
Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) 20
Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 36