Study in a major where you get individual attention and plenty of hands-on experiences. You’ll do that here.

A history degree prepares you for advanced study or careers in a variety of professions like law, business, or history. Our graduates work in political, financial, marketing, and government sectors.

What You’ll Do

As a history major at Southeast, you’ll gain incredible real-world learning experience including many opportunities outside the classroom.

  • Work with exceptional faculty who are active scholars with experience in U.S. history, Modern Europe, African history, the history of the ancient world, world history, and historic preservation.
  • Learn to understand and formulate historical arguments and interpretations as well as master the methods of historical research and communication.
  • Participate in a variety of clubs and organizations like the History Club, Historic Preservation Club, several Honor’s societies, and the Social Studies Educators’ Association.
  • Explore your individual interests with faculty support through research and individual projects.

What Can You Do with a History Degree?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Career Fields for Program Graduates

  • Government
  • Politics
  • Law
  • Non-Profit Organizations
  • Museums
  • Historic Sites
  • Journalism
  • Education
  • Business

Graduate School Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Master’s ProgramUniversity of Mississippi
  • Master’s ProgramUniversity of Missouri
  • Master’s ProgramUniversity of Delaware
  • Master’s ProgramsUniversity of Pennsylvania
  • Ph.D. ProgramUniversity of Massachusetts
  • Ph.D. ProgramUniversity of Mississippi
  • Ph.D. ProgramUniversity of Missouri

History (BA) Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.

Outcomes & Careers

  • $96k

    Management Analyst

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a management analyst is $95,560.

  • $84k

    History Teacher

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a postsecondary history teacher is $84,210.

  • $69k

    Historian

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a historian is $68,690.

What You'll Study

Degree Map

As a history major, you’ll increase your knowledge of history and develop research, organizational, and written and communication skills. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours. A minor is required.

Required Courses:

  • GH007 BA Portfolio Review (0)
  • GH315 Historiography (3)
  • GH415 Senior Seminar in History (3)

Choose 15 Senior (300-500) Level Hours From:

  • EH300-500 (6)
  • US300-500 (6)
  • WH300-500 (3)

Choose 6 Senior Level (300-500) Hours From:

  • EH, GH, US OR WH prefix courses (6)

Choose an additional 12 Hours:

  • EH, GH, US, WH, HP 100, HP 200, OS200 or departmentally approved UI courses
    (Only 3 Hours UI courses can be counted on major)

Additional Requirements – choose one option:

  • 12 hours in the same foreign language
    or
  • 6 hours in one foreign language
    and
  • 6 hours in a different foreign language
    or
  • 6 hours in one foreign language
    and
  • 6 hours of EH/WH 300-500 level
    or
  • 6 hours in one foreign language
    and
  • 6 hours of mathematics/statistics (PY 271, PL 120, QM 257, SO/SW 242, MA 123
    or above)
    or
  • EH/WH 300-500 level - 12 hours
    or
  • Second degree/major in one of the following:
    • BA – Global Cultures and Languages
    • BA – Political Science
    • BS – Historic Preservation
    • BSBA – International Business

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

Freshman Year    

Fall Semester (16 Hours)     
  • UI100 (1)
  • EN100 (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)     
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • Minor or Elective (3)

Sophomore Year    

Fall Semester (15 Hours)  
  • GH315 (3) 
  • History 1xx-5xx (3) 
  • History 1xx-5xx (3) 
  • Additional Requirement (3)
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (14 Hours)    
  • History 1xx-5xx (3) 
  • Minor (3)
  • Additional Requirement (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • Elective (3)

Junior Year    

Fall Semester (15 Hours)    
  • History 3xx-5xx (3)
  • History 1xx-5xx (3)
  • Additional Requirement (3)
  • General Education (3) 
  • Minor (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours)     
  • History 3xx-5xx (3)
  • History 3xx-5xx (3)
  • Additional Requirement (3)
  • Minor (3) 
  • Elective (3)

Senior Year    

Fall Semester (15 Hours)     
  • GH415 (3) 
  • History 3xx-5xx (3)
  • History 3xx-5xx (3)
  • Minor (3) 
  • Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)  
  • GH007 (0)
  • History 3xx-5xx (3)
  • History 3xx-5xx (3)
  • Minor (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Accelerated Master’s Degree

Southeast offers an accelerated master’s degree for current students. You can get both undergraduate and graduate credit for some 500 level courses, meaning you can graduate with a master's degree sooner.

Location
Office Location
Carnahan Hall 311E
Mailing Location
One University Plaza, MS 2960
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701