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Undergraduate

History

Saint Martin's University's history program consists of critical examination of the world's peoples, places, and cultures in the past. Students studying history at Saint Martin's have the opportunity to work directly with our outstanding, award-winning faculty in close proximity to the Washington state capital, Olympia.

Why Saint Martin's University?

  • Academic rigor prepares students for advanced study.
  • Approximately 50 percent of graduates pursue advanced degrees. Saint Martin’s graduates have been accepted at such institutions as Seattle University, University of Arizona, University of Washington and Willamette University.
  • Each department faculty member has received the Saint Martin's Outstanding Faculty Award.
  • Professor Aaron Goings is a Fulbright Scholarship recipient (Finland 2014-2015).

What to expect at Saint Martin's

At Saint Martin’s we believe that geographical, cultural, and temporal specializations are essential to the study of history, and, therefore, our program makes it possible for students to pursue concentrations in:

  • United States history
  • European history
  • Non-Western history
     

We also offer courses in:

  • African history
  • Asian history
  • Latin American history
  • Middle Eastern history
     

Additional offerings include unique thematic and methodological courses such as immigration, women's, and labor history that complement the core courses.

Research and internships

Saint Martin’s students have ample opportunity to display the skills they acquire at Saint Martin's by working as history interns on campus and in the wider community, as well as during the annual Saint Martin's Scholars' Day presentations and the public presentations of their senior capstone projects.

Internship opportunities include:

  • Washington State Legislature
  • Washington State Historical Society
  • Simpson Timber Archive
  • Historical associations throughout Washington
     

It is our expectation that graduates from the history program will have excellent oral and written communication skills. Developing these skills will help graduates from the history program secure professional positions as educators and in the field of public history.

History Requirements

CORE requirements (40-46 credit hours)

Visit the undergraduate academic catalog for a complete breakdown of CORE (general) requirements for bachelor's degrees.

Upper-division courses (credit hours vary by concentration)

European Emphasis (27 credit hours):

  • Three credit hours in American history (upper or lower-division)
  • Three credit hours in history of non-Western cultures (upper or lower-division)
  • Nine upper-division credit hours in European History, including HIS 344 and HIS 347 
  • Nine credit hours in political science, six of which must be upper-division work
  • HIS 498: Research Methods
  • HIS 499: Senior Seminar/Paper
     

United States Emphasis (27 credit hours):

  • Three credit hours in European history (upper or lower-division)
  • Three credit hours in history on non-Western cultures (upper or lower-division)
  • Nine upper-division credit hours in U.S. history, including six credit hours from HIS 356, HIS 357, HIS 358 or HIS 359
  • Nine credit hours in political science, six of which must be upper-division work
  • HIS 498: Research Methods
  • HIS 499: Senior Seminar/Paper
     

Non-Western Emphasis (27 credit hours):

  • Three credit hours in European history (upper or lower-division)
  • Three credit hours in U.S. history (upper or lower-division)
  • Nine credit hours of your choice from HIS 410, HIS 411, HIS 413, or HIS 415
  • Nine credit hours in political science, six of which must be upper-division work
  • HIS 498: Research Methods
  • HIS 499: Senior Seminar/Paper


No more than six credit hours of internship credit may be applied toward requirements for a history major.

Lower-division courses in American or European history (6 credit hours)

American history:

  • HIS 141: U.S. History to 1877   -OR-   HIS 142: U.S. History Since 1877   -OR-   Equivalents
     

European history:

  • HIS 101: Development of Western Civilization   -OR-   HIS 102: Survey of Modern Europe since 1648   -OR-   Equivalents

Upper-division courses in American or European history (6 credit hours)

European history:

  • HIS 344: Nineteenth Century Europe   -OR-   HIS 347: Twentieth Century Europe
     

American history:

  • HIS 356: Colonial American History to 1763   -OR-   HIS 357: United States History 1763-1877   -OR-   HIS 358: United States History since 1945

Political science courses (6 credit hours)

  • PLS courses: six upper-division semester hours

History at a Glance

Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Program Type
Major
Minor
Campus
Main (Lacey)
Type of Instruction
In Person
School
College of Arts and Sciences
Resources
What can I do with this major?
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Washington State teacher education endorsement in history

For information on the Washington State teacher education endorsement in history, please refer to the requirements as outlined in the education section of the academic catalog. For specific requirements for the endorsement in history, please review the History - Grades 5-12, Competency-based Endorsement form.

Career paths

  • Education
  • Law
  • Journalism
  • Business
  • Government
  • Social Justice
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College of Arts and Sciences

Spanning the arts, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences, and characterized by an educational environment that is both rigorous and supportive, the College of Arts and Sciences offers 20 undergraduate major programs and 20 minor programs.

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