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.
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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.
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?
