The study of history is intended to promote a responsible and informed citizenship, a heightened understanding of the human experience, and an appreciation of the achievements and variety of humankind. It also promotes career training. Indeed, the study of history is perhaps as valuable for the skills it helps to develop as for the information it imparts. History is an exacting discipline that fosters intellectual curiosity, analytical thought, research skills, ability to collect and analyze large amounts of data, clarity of expression, and disciplined work habits — qualities that are central to careers in academic, professional, public, business, government, non-profit, and service areas.
Surveys of history graduates indicate that history majors have built careers in a variety of professional areas. A large number are teachers at high schools, community colleges, colleges, and universities. Many are lawyers. A considerable number are stockbrokers, bankers, military officers, public servants, librarians and directors of libraries, archivists, museum professionals and even medical doctors. History majors can enter all these professions because their academic discipline fosters the writing, thinking, research, and analytical skills that make them marketable in a variety of professions.
History BA Degree Requirements (124 hours)
History BA Semester Guide
Availability: Hattiesburg Campus and Gulf Park Campus
Admission Requirements: See University Admission Policies
Program Academic Policies and Requirements:
- See University Academic Policies and Requirements
- A minimum grade of C is required in HIS 300 and HIS 400 .
- Of the 18 remaining hours required for the major, no more than 12 hours of upper-division coursework can be selected from any one of the three following course areas: (1) United States history, (2) European history or (3) other (Latin American, Asia, Africa and other non-United States, non-European courses).
- Students must have cumulative 2.00 GPA in History courses in order to graduate.
Program Recommendations:
- HIS 300 should be completed in the first semester of the junior year.
- Students who have satisfied the 36-hour major requirement are encouraged to take additional advanced courses in history in any area they prefer. History students who plan to pursue graduate study are highly encouraged to take a minor or double major in a liberal arts or social science discipline such as anthropology, English, religion, or political science.
Study Abroad: The history program values international study and offers a variety of stimulating and academically challenging summer credit abroad courses in several foreign countries (HIS 495 , HIS 496 , HIS 497 , HIS 498 and HIS 499 ). Students are encouraged to enroll in these programs and may apply up to 12 hours of credit toward major requirements (but no more than six hours of credit in any area of course concentration). To facilitate study abroad, the school annually (funds permitting) awards a scholarship to a deserving student for any Southern Miss summer abroad history course. Eligibility and application details are available through the School of Humanities.
