Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History

The B.A. in History can be completed through the History Liberal Arts Track or through the History Social Studies Track. Both tracks provide majors with a background in history that is both broad and deep. This, together with the skills learned in analysis, research and writing, provides an excellent foundation for global citizenship in the 21st century world, whatever a major’s future career path may be.

The History Liberal Arts Track  provides majors with an excellent foundation for future careers in areas such as law, international relations, college teaching, museum work, public administration, publishing, social work, and urban and regional planning. Majors complete introductory work in American, European, and Non-Western history. To consolidate a global perspective, students take a course in geography, an advanced trans-regional course on the relationship between two or more world regions, and an advanced Global history course. In addition, they take a course in Historiography, three electives of their own choosing, and a Senior Seminar in which they write an original thesis.

The History Social Studies Track  is designed for students who want to teach Social Studies at the secondary level (grades 7-12). Majors in this track complete a rigorous course of study that includes multiple courses in American, European, and Non-Western history; one course each in modern (global) World History, in Science and Technology, in Geography, and in Politics; and two courses in Economics. Majors in the Social Studies track also complete the Social Studies Senior Seminar in which they write an original research paper.

Majors completing the History Social Studies Track have the option of graduating with an Adolescence Education degree in Social Studies. By gaining admission to the School of Education, completing School of Education course requirements for Adolescence Education: Social Studies, and passing New York State certification exams, students majoring in the History Social Studies Track will satisfy all requirements for New York State initial certification in Adolescence Education: Social Studies (grades 7-12).

Alternatively, majors in the History Social Studies Track can pursue state certification by enrolling in the college Social Studies M.A.T. program after graduation. The M.A.T. program involves a separate application process during a student’s senior year. The History Social Studies Track fulfills all content course requirements for admission into the M.A.T. program and provides an excellent background for the areas of teaching encountered in secondary social studies curricula. Students graduating from the M.A.T. program are fully prepared to take the statewide certification exams and enter the teaching profession with the highest degree they will need.

Five-Year B.A./M.A.T. Degree in Adolescence Education: Social Studies . The School of Education in conjunction with the History and Philosophy department will offer highly qualified undergraduates the opportunity to complete a B.A. in History and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in Adolescence Education: Social Studies within 5 years. Students interested in this program should contact Dr. Xavier Marechaux, Chair, Adolescence Education, School of Education to apply. The History and Philosophy department will consider applications to this program every spring in March.

Five-Year B.A./M.A.L.S The History and Philosophy department will offer highly qualified undergraduates the opportunity to complete a B.A. in History and a Master of Arts in Liberl Studies degree. . The History and Philosophy department will consider applications to this program every spring in March.

Track I:

History Liberal Arts Track

The B.A. in History can be completed through the History Liberal Arts Track or through the History Social Studies Track. Both tracks provide majors with a background in history that is both broad and deep. This, together with the skills learned in analysis, research and writing, provides an excellent foundation for global citizenship in the 21st century world, whatever a major’s future career path may be.

The History Liberal Arts Track provides majors with an excellent foundation for future careers in areas such as law, international relations, college teaching, museum work, public administration, publishing, social work, and urban and regional planning. Majors complete introductory work in American, European, and Non-Western history. To consolidate a global perspective, students take a course in geography, an advanced trans-regional course on the relationship between two or more world regions, and an advanced Global history course. In addition, they take a course in Historiography, three electives of their own choosing, and a Senior Seminar in which they write an original thesis. Students in the Liberal Arts track can access the accelerated BAMALS program which allows them to start the M.A. in Liberal Arts during their senior year and reduce the time to graduation with a graduate degree by up to a year. See for more information: https://www.oldwestbury.edu/programs-courses/liberal-studies-ma 

Track II:

History Social Studies Track

The B.A. in History can be completed through the History Liberal Arts Track or through the History Social Studies Track. Both tracks provide majors with a background in history that is both broad and deep. This, together with the skills learned in analysis, research and writing, provides an excellent foundation for global citizenship in the 21st century world, whatever a major’s future career path may be.

The History Social Studies Track is designed for students who want to teach Social Studies at the secondary level (grades 7-12). Majors in this track complete a rigorous course of study that includes multiple courses in American, European, and Non-Western history; one course each in modern (global) World History, history of Science and Technology, Geography, and Politics; and two courses in Economics. Majors in the Social Studies track also complete a course in Historiography and the Social Studies Senior Seminar in which they write an original research paper. Majors completing the History Social Studies Track have the option of graduating with an Adolescence Education degree in Social Studies. By gaining admission to the School of Education, completing School of Education course requirements for Adolescence Education: Social Studies, and passing New York State certification exams, students majoring in the History Social Studies Track will satisfy all requirements for New York State initial certification in Adolescence Education: Social Studies (grades 7-12). Alternatively, majors in the History Social Studies Track can pursue state certification by enrolling in the college Social Studies M.A.T. program after graduation. The M.A.T. program involves a separate application process during a student’s senior year. The History Social Studies Track fulfills all content course requirements for admission into the M.A.T. program and provides an excellent background for the areas of teaching encountered in secondary social studies curricula. Students graduating from the M.A.T. program are fully prepared to take the statewide certification exams and enter the teaching profession with the highest degree they will need. Available to History - Social Studies majors in the selective 5-year BA/MAT program which accelerates the completion of the M.A.T. program by one year.