Nov 24, 2024  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog (Edited Version) 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog (Edited Version)

History, BA


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Areas of Study A-Z

Curriculum Sequence


First Year


Fall (15.5 Credits)


Spring (15.5 Credits)


Sophomore


Fall (15 Credits)


Spring (15 Credits)


Junior


Fall (15 Credits)


  • Two Advanced History Courses 6 Credit(s)
  • Advanced Humanities Course 3 Credit(s)
  • Elective 3 Credit(s)
  • Social Science Requirement 3 Credit(s)

Spring (15-16 Credits)


  • Two Advanced History Courses 6 Credit(s)
  • Two Electives 6 Credit(s)
  • Lab Science Requirement 3-4 Credit(s)

Senior


Fall (15 Credits)


Spring (15 Credits)


Total Credits: 121-122


A minimum of 6 semester hours of advanced history will be in U.S. history, a minimum of 6 semester hours will be in European history, and a minimum of 6 semester hours will be in non-Western history.

The program of study that appears here applies to students who were admitted for the summer session of this catalog year and later.  Students admitted prior to that term should select the appropriate catalog year of their admission.  Choose previous catalogs from the Home, Graduate, or Undergraduate Catalog Page at http://Catalog.widener.edu.

History Major Portfolio


All history majors will compile a portfolio. This portfolio is designed to give individual students and history faculty a cumulative vision of the quality of the students’ work over the course of their years in the major. As they progress through the history program, students will continually update their portfolios by adding required elements:

  • Résumé
  • Source-based expository essay
  • Secondary source analysis
  • Primary source analysis
  • Historiographic essay
  • Research paper
  • Sophomore self-assessment
  • Senior self-assessment

Honors in History


Students may graduate with honors in history if they satisfy the following requirements:

  • Maintain a 3.5 GPA in upper division history courses (with no grade lower than a B) and an over-all GPA of 3.2.
  • Achieve a grade of A- or better in History 409.
  • Make at least one research presentation in a public forum (such as the regional and national Phi Alpha Theta conferences, the National Conference for Undergraduate Research, or Widener University’s Honors Week presentations).

Pre-Occupational Therapy Pathway


Required Courses


Majors who wish to apply for admission to Widener’s graduate occupational therapy program should take the following courses (note the most recent courses are factored into the prerequisite requirements):

Please Note:


The program of study that appears here applies to students who were admitted for the summer session of this catalog year and later.  Students admitted prior to that term should select the appropriate catalog year of their admission.  Choose previous catalogs from the Home, Graduate, or Undergraduate Catalog Page at http://Catalog.widener.edu.

Pre-Physical Therapy Pathway (Humanities and Social Sciences)


Identified majors within the College of Arts and Sciences have an opportunity to pursue a pre-physical therapy pathway. Humanities and social science students can do so by completing their major requirements along with meeting the general prerequisite courses for the graduate program in physical therapy (see list below). Simply completing the specified courses does not guarantee admission into a graduate program. Students should consult with their undergraduate academic advisor or the Institute for Physical Therapy Education Program Director for details about minimum grade requirements and conditions for completing a reserved seat admissions program.

Pre-Physical Therapy Pathway Required Courses


Science Requirements


Social Science Requirements


Note:


The program of study that appears here applies to students who were admitted for the summer session of this catalog year and later.  Students admitted prior to that term should select the appropriate catalog year of their admission.  Choose previous catalogs from the Home, Graduate, or Undergraduate Catalog Page at http://Catalog.widener.edu.

Pre-Law Options for the History Major


History is one of the majors traditionally chosen by students interested in pursuing a law degree. By special arrangement with the Widener’s law schools, history majors may choose a “3+3” option whereby they use their first year at the law school to complete the last year of their Widener undergraduate degree in history. History students may also pursue a minor in legal studies and analysis offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Areas of Study A-Z