Department of History 500 Main Hall West Chester, Pennsylvania 19383	(610)436-2201 http://www.wcupa.edu/

As a comprehensive state university, WCU offers one of the most affordable undergraduate programs in the region.  The Department of History offers a Bachelor of Arts in History (B.A.) with three options: the traditional history major, a concentration in American Studies, and elective social studies certification. Each option is designed to help students to develop their skills in 1) constructing generalizations and interpretations that demonstrate a knowledge of historical eras, change over time, and key historical concepts; 2) communicating their knowledge of history in reasoned arguments supported by historical evidence and an appreciation of multiple causes, effects, and perspectives, in both oral and written presentations; and 3) identifying and acknowledging multiple points of view in primary and secondary sources, and connect their knowledge of historical multiple perspectives to contemporary life in a heterogeneous, global society.

With 16 full-time faculty members, the Department of History has specialists in many areas of American and European history as well as African, Asian, Latin American, and Middle East studies.  Our faculty members see themselves as teacher-scholars, valuing both excellent teaching and active scholarship.  Our faculty also believes that close interaction is an integral part of a university education, so many of our majors-only courses are limited to enrollments of 15-20 students, and typically most other history classes are capped at 30 students.  And with a full range of late afternoon and evening undergraduate courses and seminars both full-time and part-time students can make progress in any program at their own pace. 

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in history prepares students for a wide range of careers, including the law, government service, journalism, and any other occupation that requires skills in research, writing, problem solving, and analysis.  The B.A. curriculum offers focused study in non-Western, European, and United States history. The large number of electives available under the B.A. program enables history majors to sample a broad variety of liberal arts courses and the opportunity to minor in another field.  All B.A. history majors must demonstrate competency in a foreign language.
Degree Requirements: (120 semester hours)
1. General Requirements -- 48 semester hours

2. Foreign Language Requirement -- 0-12 semester hours

3. Required History Courses -- 15 semester hours
HIS 101, HIS 102, HIS 151, HIS 152, and HIS 300

4. Upper-level History Major Electives -- 24 semester hours

Primary Field in United States History
United States History -- 9 semester hours
European History -- 6 semester hours
World/Regional History -- 6 semester hours
HIS 400, Seminar -- 3 semester hours

Primary Field in European History
European History -- 9 semester hours
United States History -- 6 semester hours
World/Regional History -- 6 semester hours
HIS 400, Seminar -- 3 semester hours

Primary Field in World/Regional History
World/ Regional History -- 9 semester hours
European History -- 6 semester hours
United States History -- 6 semester hours
HIS 400, Seminar -- 3 semester hours

5. Cognate Courses -- 9 semester hours
Under advisement, take three courses in at least two disciplines related to history (such as American Studies, Anthropology, Art History, Economics, Geography, Literature, Music History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Women’s Studies)

6. Free electives to complete 120 semester hours.

BACHELOR OF ARTS in HISTORY with ELECTIVE SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER CERTIFICATION

West Chester is one of the few universities in the United States at which history professors instruct the teaching methods course and supervise the student-teaching experience. This insures the integration of academic content and teaching methodologies. The Bachelor of Arts in History with Elective Social Studies (formerly Citizenship Education) Teacher Certification program meets the certification criteria established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the most recent standards set by the National Council for the Social Studies. On completing this program, graduates are able to apply to PDE for certification to teach all of the social studies in secondary schools. The Department of History provides a comprehensive guidance record sheet for all history students. For further information about WCU certification requirements please visit the College of Education website.

Degree Requirements: (120 semester hours)
1. General Education Requirements -- 48 semester hours.

2. Foreign Language Requirement -- 0-12 semester hours

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