Degree Plans
The Department of History offers three different degree plans for students majoring in History. Make sure you are following the plan that is right for you. (To change your degree plan, visit the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts office: 343 Liberal Arts.)
Each degree plan has certain field requirements for history courses. Most of our upper-division history courses are categorized by four broad geographic fields:
Field I: The United States
Field II: Africa and Asia
Field III: Latin America
Field IV: Europe
The field for each section of HIST 3390 (Special Topics) and HIST 3391 (History of Women) depends upon the topic being taught. A few Special Topics courses can be counted in either of two fields. HIST 3390 and HIST 3391 may be repeated when the topics (or region, in the case of 3391) are different.
The major requirements for the three history degree plans are described below. To see all of the other requirements for each degree plan (core curriculum, minor, language requirement, block electives, free electives) see the University Catalogue or go to degreeplans.utep.edu. For instructions on how to run your own degree evaluation, click here.
BA in History (no concentration) (30 hours)
The degree plan for the BA in History is quite flexible in terms of course requirements. Students will complete a minor of their choosing. Requirements for the BA in History are as follows:
HIST 2301 – World History to 1500
HIST 2302 – World History since 1500
21 hours of upper-division history courses (3300-4300 level). These must include courses from at least three geographical fields; no more than 12 hours may be taken in any one field.
HIST 4325 – Junior-Senior Seminar
Degree plans with Educator Preparation concentrations
History majors interested in becoming certified high school teachers can opt for one of two degree plans with teaching concentrations. The “7-12 History” Concentration is designed for students seeking certification in U.S., Texas, and World History at the 7-12 grade levels. The “Social Studies Composite” Concentration is designed for students seeking certification in History, Economics, Geography, and Government at the 7-12 grade levels. Students pursuing either concentration must minor in Secondary Education. History 3309 (Mexican American History) is recommended for prospective teachers.
BA in History: 7-12 History Concentration (30 hours)
HIST 2301 – World History to 1500
HIST 2302 – World History since 1500
HIST 3317 – History of Texas since 1821
15 additional hours of upper-division history courses. These must include courses from at least three fields.
HIST 4325 – Junior-Senior Seminar
HIST 4330 – Teaching History/Social Studies
BA in History: Social Studies Composite Concentration (42 hours)
GEOG 1306 – Physical Geography
GEOG 1310 or ANTH/SOCI 1310 – Cultural Geography
HIST 2301 - World History to 1500
HIST 2302 - World History since 1500
ECON 2303 – Principles of Economics
ECON 2304 – Principles of Economics
HIST 3317 - History of Texas
9 additional hours of upper-division history courses (at least 6 on the United States)
HIST 4325 - Junior-Senior Seminar
HIST 4330 - Teaching History/Social Studies
POLS 4318 – Teaching Democracy OR POLS 4357 – Leadership and Civic Participation
One of these Political Science classes: POLS 3312, 3313, 3320, 3321, 3339, 3345, 3351, 4310, 4311, 4313, 4330, and 4337
Students pursuing either the “7-12 History” or “Social Studies Composite” concentrations work with the College of Liberal Arts’ Secondary Teacher Education Program to prepare for qualifying exams and apply to the College of Education’s Educator Preparation Program.
Minor in History
The History minor consists of 18 hours. Requirements are HIST 2301 (World History to 1500), HIST 2302 (World History since 1500), and 12 hours of upper-division (3300-4300 level) courses in History. The 12 hours of advanced courses must include courses from at least two of the geographic fields.
