History, BA

Application Requirements

You've never attended college or all your college credits were earned prior to high school graduation (College Credit Plus or dual-enrollment).

Step 1:

Complete the application for undergraduate admission. Freshmen applicants can apply here through the CSU Application or the Common Application.

Step 2:

Submit the $40 application fee.

Step 3:

Submit official transcripts. Visit the transcripts page for more information on how to send your transcripts.

Step 4:

CSU is test optional for Admission. Students are encouraged to submit official ACT/SAT results for scholarship consideration.

Step 5:

Once your application is submitted and reviewed, you will receive an admission decision. Respond to your offer and complete these next steps to secure your spot.

For more information contact Arts and Science Academic Coach.

Admission to Major

If a student wishes to enroll in the History major, they should contact the History Department office in RT 1319 (phone: 216-687-3920, email: history@csuohio.edu) to set up an initial advising appointment with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Mark Cole. The Director will ask the student for a writing sample and to answer a few questions. He will also evaluate transfer credits for the major and give the student a copy of the filled-out check-sheet. Following this advising session, students will receive the name of their individual faculty advisor in the department. Students are urged to meet with their assigned faculty advisor at least once every semester.

Hours Required for Degree

A minimum of 36 hours is required for the major, at least 27 of which must be upper-level (300- or 400-level).

College Requirements

See college page for college requirements.

Major Requirements

Survey requirement:

Students are required to complete two of the following survey courses:

• HIS 101 - Western Civilization I
• HIS 102 - Western Civilization II
• HIS 103 - Ancient World History to 1300 C.E.
• HIS 104 - Modern World History
• HIS 111 - United States History to 1877
• HIS 112 - United States History Since 1877
• HIS 165 - Latin America and the Caribbean: A History
• HIS 175 - Introduction to African History
• HIS 185 - Survey of Middle Eastern History
• HIS 195 - Introduction to East Asian History
• HIS 215 - History of African-Americans to 1877
• HIS 216 - History of African-Americans Since 1877

Introduction to Historical Studies

All students are required to take:

• HIS 299 - Introduction to Historical Studies

Geographical diversity:

Students are required to divide their 24 upper-level credits among at least four of the following seven geographical areas.

• North America
• Europe
• Latin America/Caribbean
• Asia/Pacific world
• Africa
• Middle East
• Transnational

Chronological diversity:

At least two of the student’s upper-level credits (6 credit hours) must be in courses dealing with the pre-modern (before nineteenth century) period. These courses may also be used to fulfill the geographical distribution requirement.
 

Capstone requirement:

Upon reaching at least 18 credit hours in History, students are required to take one capstone research seminar, HIS 401 - History Seminar (topics to vary by instructor). Pre-requisite HIS 299.

No course with a grade below C may be counted toward the History major.

Thematic concentration:

As a means of fulfilling the requirements for the major, students are encouraged to consult with their advisor about the possibility of developing a thematic focus (e.g., African Diaspora, Atlantic world).

Transfer students:

Transfer students must complete a minimum of 21 credit hours in history courses (which must include HIS 299 and HIS 400 or HIS 401) taken in the Department of History at CSU in order to major in History.

Honors Program/University Scholars Requirements

Honors and Scholars students in history have to complete:

•  A total of 4 Honors contract courses in upper-division history courses with a 3.5 average.
• 1 of the 4 courses will result in the production of a substantial historiographic essay.
• The remaining 3 courses will require 25-page papers at least one of which uses primary sources.

Accelerated 3+3 Degree

The CSU College of Law 3+3 program permits a student who has completed three years of undergraduate study to be admitted to the College of Law to begin J.D. studies. The undergraduate degree will be awarded upon successful completion of the first full year of the J.D. curriculum, thus permitting the student to graduate with both an undergraduate and law degrees in six rather than seven years of full-time study (or its equivalent). In effect, the first year of law school completes the fourth year of the undergraduate degree (serving, in effect, as undergraduate elective courses) and serves as the first year of law school. This arrangement saves both time and money for the student.

• 3+3 Program Requirements
• History 3+3 map

Minor Requirements

Minimum hours required for minor: 18

No more than one course may be taken on an S/U basis.

Transfer students must earn at least 12 credits in the Department of History at Cleveland State University in order to complete a minor in History.

Upper level Electives (12 hours)

• 300 and 400 HIS Courses

Additional Electives (6 hours)

• HIS Courses