The History Department is devoted to understanding the past from a global perspective. We offer courses and programs that are diverse in their chronological, geographical, and practical orientation. Our mission is to instruct students in the discipline of history so that they are knowledgeable citizens capable of thinking critically by using the past as a model for understanding the present and shaping the future. Despite what some might think, a History degree is a good investment for students who love to study the past. For more information about what you can do with a History major, check out our careers in History page and our alumni profiles page.
The History Major
Students who major in History at UMD enroll in one of four subplans, each of which caters to different students based on their own unique interests and future career goals. You can find the requirements for the History BA and each individual subplan in the UMD catalog.
Global History
Global History gives student the flexibility to specialize in an area or time period of their own choosing while also providing a foundation of courses spanning a wide range of geographical, thematic, and chronological topics. It provides students with the skills to work critically with a diverse array of source materials in different media and genres. This track prepares students to succeed in an increasingly global society and marketplace, both in public and private sector fields like business, education, government, and law. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GLOBAL HISTORY SUBPLAN.
Public History
Public History gives students a background in traditional history while training them for work in a variety of applied fields that bring history to audiences outside of the classroom, from museums and historical archives to historic preservation and cultural resource management. Students on this track are placed as interns at cultural heritage organizations throughout the Northland, Minnesota, and even overseas in Ireland. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PUBLIC HISTORY SUBPLAN.
History & Social Science
History and Social Science prepares students for civic-oriented careers such as education, law, and public service. This track complements in-depth training in the content and methods of History with a range of courses in the Social Sciences, including anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology. Students who wish to earn their secondary education teaching license are encouraged to pair this major with the Teaching Social Studies – History Subplan offered by UMD’s Department of Education. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE SUBPLAN.
Specialist History
Specialist History is intended for students plan to pursue advanced graduate work in History and related fields. This track allows students to create a customized degree plan focusing on a specific theme or area. It culminates with the completion of an original research project in the student’s chosen field under the direct supervision of a History professor. Students may apply for admission to this plan after completing 16 History credits with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a History major GPA of at least 3.3. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SPECIALIST HISTORY SUBPLAN.
Other History Programs
The History Department also offers three other programs that may be of interest:
- The Museum Studies Certificate, which provides students with the practical training and theoretical knowledge for entry-level positions in the world of museums and cultural heritage. The Certificate pairs well with any major, but especially our Public History subplan.
- The African and African American Studies Minor, which provides students with a firm foundation in the history and culture of Africa and the African diaspora.
- The History Minor, which is aimed at students interested in history but unable to take the required credits for a major.