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Bachelor of Arts in History

History majors don’t just study what has happened in the past. As a history major at Alvernia University, you’ll acquire skills and knowledge that can prepare you for a variety of careers in fields including teaching, law, government service, writing, researching, genealogy, business and politics. Perhaps most importantly, however, you’ll achieve a better understanding of the world and its people. History informs us of who we are, and from where we came. It is a foundation of the liberal arts, and vital to our comprehension of ourselves and world around us.


Studying history helps you develop effective research and writing skills, and provides you with the ability to think critically about problems and issues. These skills, along with a curious nature and desire to keep learning, are attractive to prospective employers and may set you apart from other candidates for positions.


Earning a history degree at Alvernia can also prepare you for graduate school. History graduates have been accepted into a variety of graduate programs, including law, business and medical, at institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University, Penn State University and the University of Pennsylvania.

Getting Started

Where You Can Get A Degree

The Bachelor of Arts in History program is available at the following Alvernia University campus:

General Notes
  • A minimum of 123 credits are required for graduation.
  • Credits earned for COM 100 and MAT 100 do not count toward the 123 credits required for graduation; however, COM 100 students may petition for elective credit.
  • Where appropriate, courses required for the major can be used to satisfy General Education requirements. However, the credits earned for these courses are applied to either Gen Ed requirements or the major, not both.
  • Paths of Knowledge coursework may count towards major or minor requirements, but may not fulfill a second Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration requirement.
  • Students are expected to follow the catalog requirements for General Education, the major, and additional requirements.
  • A minor or second major within the areas listed under Paths of Knowledge automatically fulfills that area of the Gen Ed requirements.
Application Instructions

Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.

Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

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Why Choose Alvernia?
• A nationally ranked comprehensive regional university, Alvernia offers more than 50 majors and minors.
• An ever-expanding number of experiential learning opportunities includes internships, field experiences, co-ops, research projects and study/service abroad programs.
• A rich campus life allows students to enjoy a full calendar of activities and events, more than 50 clubs, intramural sport and student leadership and governance opportunities.
• In growth mode, Alvernia continues to add value to its student experience: expanding academic programming in new facilities; adding student living space and updating residence halls; partnering with a community health provider; and adding amenities including a game room and new performance space.


Program Overview

Curriculum: General Education

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, History majors must complete 36 credits in the major.

First Year Curriculum: Enduring Questions

  • SEARCH Seminar-Enduring Questions or Honor Search-Enduring Questions (3 credits: SRH 101 or HNR 160)
  • COM 101 Composition & Research: Must earn a C or higher (3 credits)
  • THE 105 Foundations of Theology (3 credits)
  • PHI 105 Introduction to Philosophy (3 credits)


Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration Credits

  • Exploring the Natural World (6-8 credits)
    • Lab Science (Met in major)
    • Math (Met in related area)
  • Individuals & Communities (6 credits)
    • History or Political Science (Met in major)
    • PSY 101, HIS, POS, SOC, SSC, or ECON 3 (Met in major)
  • Culture & Language (9 credits)
    • Communication (Not COM 100 or 101)
    • World Language – 2 courses in sequence
  • Creative Expressions (6 credits)
    • Literature (ENG)
    • Art, Music, or Theatre (Met with PHI 200, 210 or 220)


Ethical Leaders and Followers Credits

  • Theology or Philosophy (200-400 level) (3 credits)
  • Theology or Philosophy (Ethics/Morality @ 200 level) (3 credits) (PHI 290 recommended)
Curriculum: Paths of Knowledge

Paths of Knowledge may count towards minor or Related Requirements, but not Mid-Level Arts Exploration requirements. Choose one path.

PATH 1: Interdisciplinary Study (IS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level from the interdisciplinary minors of Women & Gender Studies, Digital Media, Community & Environmental Sustainability, Community Engagement, Cultural Studies, Leadership Studies or Pre-Law.

PATH 2: Multi-disciplinary Study (MS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level employing multiple disciplinary perspectives to explore the Enduring Questions in one of the following themes: Cultural & Global Studies, Imagination & Creativity, Peace & Conflict, Poverty & Wealth or Sustainability, Science & Technology.

PATH 3: In-depth Disciplinary Study (DS)

Three courses at the 200-400 level in one Liberal Arts discipline other than one’s major, guided by common ideas and methods of inquiry. Students choose from Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theology, Theatre or World Languages. This path may be used to give students a firm foundation in a discipline supporting their chosen major, or to pursue an interest in one of the Liberal Arts disciplines. 

Curriculum: Major Requirements

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. You’ll need to complete 54-56 liberal arts core credits and complete community service hours. In addition, Criminal Justice Administration majors must complete 36 credits in the major. 

Required History Courses (36 credits)

  • HIS 110: World Civilizations
  • HIS 112: The Study of American History
  • HIS 303: 20th Century World History
  • 9 credits (3 courses) at the 200-400 Level
  • 6 credits (2 courses) in American History from:
    • HIS 300: Colonial America
    • HIS 308: American Revolution & Constitution
    • HIS 322: Early National & Jeffersonian America
    • HIS 334: Jacksonian & Ante-Bellum America
    • HIS 344: The Era of the Civil War
    • HIS 352: America’s Industrial Revolution and the Age of Reform
    • HIS 364: America’s Trial: The Depression through the Korean War
  • 6 credits (2 courses) in European History from:
    • HIS 307: Greco-Roman Civilization
    • HIS 319: Late Antiquity & Early Medieval
    • HIS 323: The High & Late Middle Ages
    • HIS 337: Modern Early Europe
    • HIS 349: The Age of Revolutions
    • HIS 353: The European Century (1763-1914)
  • HIS 426: Research Seminar
  • HIS 493: Contemporary Historiography
Experiential Learning Opportunities

Alvernia students have an opportunity to earn college credit by spending a semester or summer in Washington, D.C. where they serve as interns in a congressional office, government agency, major corporation, newspaper or news network, or agencies devoted to legal affairs, international relations, or business and economics. They also may intern with one of several non-profit groups dealing with the environment, women’s issues, the arts, education, science, or labor relations among others.

Accreditation Statements
  • Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Career Outlook

After earning your Bachelor of Arts in History, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

  • Journalist
  • Historian
  • Congressional aide
  • Community relations director
  • Demographer
  • Museum curator
  • Historic preservation specialist
  • Public relations executive
  • Lobbyist


Earning a history degree at Alvernia can also prepare you for graduate school. History graduates have been accepted into a variety of graduate programs, including law, business and medical, at institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University, Penn State University and the University of Pennsylvania. Past Alvernia graduates have found employment at the White House, EPA and in marketing and computing careers.


According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the range of careers available for graduates with a history degree are expected to grow by by up to 12 percent between 2021 and 2031, much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual salary is $60,000.

Opportunities for Majors

The Washington Center Experience

Alvernia students have an opportunity to earn college credit by spending a semester or summer in Washington, D.C. where they serve as interns in a congressional office, government agency, major corporation, newspaper or news network, or agencies devoted to legal affairs, international relations, or business and economics. They also may intern with one of several non-profit groups dealing with the environment, women’s issues, the arts, education, science, or labor relations among others. Participants are customarily juniors or seniors who have achieved grade point averages of 2.5 or better and who have the endorsement of the appropriate academic area. In addition to their internship, students select one seminar dealing with the arts and humanities, communication, public policy, the legal system, business, and government. Interested students should see their academic advisor.
 

Pre-Law Society

The Pre-Law Society is an organization that aims to assist those students wishing to pursue a law degree upon
completion of their undergraduate studies. 


Get to Know Your Faculty

For more information about Alvernia’s History program contact the Graduate Admissions Office at 610-796-5187 or gradandadult@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to Humanities Chair Corey Harris at 610-796-1922 or corey.harris@alvernia.edu.