2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Dec 05, 2025

2025-2026 Academic Catalog

History, BA (HIST-BA)

CIP Code: 540101

Program Description

The undergraduate major in history exposes students to a broad spectrum of human experiences in the past and present, arming them with an understanding of the self and of their relationship with other human beings and to the structure of society. History students are encouraged to further their knowledge of the principal developments and problems of history and to enrich their understanding of historical evolution through research and writing. Through elective courses, students gain a broad liberal arts education and enlarge their historical perspective. The history major can thus be used generally by students who wish to be useful members of the community and specifically by students who seek careers in teaching, journalism, library, and archival work, government, politics, law, and business. The program also provides a sound basis for students planning to pursue graduate study.

Students in the history program are assigned an academic advisor who assists them with academic routines, selecting individual courses, and developing undergraduate and postgraduate goals. Students interested in careers in law, public service, journalism, or business should consult with the advisor about programs particularly geared to these fields.

Majors are expected to maintain at least a 2.00 GPA in history for graduation.

Program Admission Requirements

This academic program does not have admission requirements beyond regular admission to Wright State University. Any student is eligible to declare this academic program.

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

articulate complex historical ideas clearly and effectively through various writing formats, including essays and reseach papers
apply the fundamental practices of historians, such as critical analysis, contextualization, and methodological rigor, in exploring historical questions
explore and interpret primary documents and secondary works, fostering skills in critical evaluation and evidence-based reasoning

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

produce well-structured and insightful historical essays and research papers that effectively communicate their analysis to academic and professional audiences
independently apply historiographical practices, such as analyzing historical contexts, assessing source reliability, and using interpretative frameworks to draw meaningful conclusions
critically evaluate primary and secondary sources to synthesize evidence, identify patterns, and formulate coherent, evidence-based arguments about historical issues

Honors Program

The honors program allows qualified students to carry out independent research under the guidance of a faculty sponsor. School honors are awarded at graduation based on the student’s completing the following: at least one interdisciplinary honors seminar; a 3.50 GPA in history and a 3.00 GPA in overall course work; completion of an honors thesis with a grade of A or B. In exceptional cases, certain requirements may be waived by a vote of the school’s curriculum committee. Interested students should consult with the departmental advisor.

For More Information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 36 Credit Hours

As a part of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, all students must complete the Wright State Core, a general education curriculum. Most programs require 36 hours in the Core, some programs may require additional hours.

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 3 Credit Hours

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy three additional credit hours in the Additional Core Courses category.

LA 1020 - First-Year Seminar: College of Liberal Arts Credit Hour(s): 3

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 3 Credit Hours

Students will select one Element B course from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements list. Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the course chosen.

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement

History Requirement (3 credit hours)
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Choose an additional Arts and Humanities course (a different prefix from what is chosen above) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element D - Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element E - Natural Sciences: 7 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

Additional Core Courses: 5 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 5 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

Required:

HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

One Global Inquiry (GI) course

Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses

One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

II. Major Requirements: 36 Credit Hours

HST 2110 - American History to 1877 Credit Hour(s): 3
HST 2120 - American History Since 1877 Credit Hour(s): 3
HST 3000 - Introduction to Historical Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
HST 4900 - Research Seminar Credit Hour(s): 3
Students will choose any 4 history courses offered at the 3000 level: HST 3100-3900. Credit Hour(s): 12
Students will choose any 4 history courses offered at the 4000 level: HST 4000-4870 (may also choose HST 4950). Credit Hour(s): 12

III. College Requirements: 18-22 Credit Hours

Foreign Language: 12-16 Credit Hours

Through 2020 level (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) of one foreign language:

American Sign Language (ASL)*, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Spanish, or other foreign language.

*Note: all language classes above are 3 credit hours each, except for the ASL classes which are 4 credit hours each.

Methods of Inquiry: 6 Credit Hours

PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3
Research Methods - One course from approved list Credit Hour(s): 3

IV. General Electives: 26-30 Credit Hours

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. If the total number of credit hours in the WSU Core (general education program) and the major requirements do not total at least 120 credits, students will choose additional courses (general electives) to meet the minimum required 120 credit hours. Students may choose from any undergraduate course in the Academic Catalog for which they meet the course prerequisites and for which they do not already have earned credit.

Students are encouraged to consider adding a minor, certificate, or microcredential.

Total: 120 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS), also known as a four-year guide, is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State undergraduate majors can be completed in four years with careful planning. Some programs may require summer coursework. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables.

These guides are valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and are subject to change. These guides are a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion.