WCU History Department Undergraduate Degrees

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

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

The West Chester University Department of History offers two pathways to its degree.

BACHELOR OF ARTS in HISTORY
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 American 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. History Concentration Requirements -- 24 semester hours

American History Concentration
United States History -- 9 semester hours
European History -- 6 semester hours
World/Regional History -- 6 semester hours
HIS 400, Seminar -- 3 semester hours

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

World/Regional History Concentration
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.

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

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

3. Social Science Requirements -- 15 semester hours (some credits may be counted toward meeting General Education requirements)

ANT 102 or SOC 200, ECO 101, 111 or 112, GEO 101 or 103, PSC 100, PSY 100. (Two social science courses may fulfill general requirements)

4. Required History Courses -- 15 semester hours

HIS 101, HIS 102, HIS 151, HIS 152, and HIS 300

5. History Concentration Requirements -- 24 semester hours

6. Electives to complete 120 semester hours (generally 33 semester hours of Professional Education courses, some of which may be counted toward meeting General Education requirements)

Please note that education courses which involve field experience in are schools require: a) FBI Criminal Background Check, b) PA Criminal Background Check, c) PA Child Abuse Clearance, and d) TB Test. These must be on file prior to taking those courses.

7. Satisfy University and departmental requirements for Formal Admission to the Teacher Education program and student teaching

8. Satisfy WCU and Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements for certification

HISTORY MINOR
Students may obtain minor recognition on their transcript so that their concentrated choice of free electives will be recognized.

1. Required courses -- 6 semester hours comprising of one course between HIS 101 and 102 and one course between HIS 150, 151, or 152.

2. History Electives -- 12 semester hours

Choose under advisement four 300- and/or 400-level courses from three groups: United States, European, World and Regional History. (Six semester hours in one group; three semester hours in each of the others)

This minor may be taken as one of the minors in the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in liberal studies general degree program.

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