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Bachelor's Degree Program

SIU History Books about Ancient Egypt

This well-rounded bachelor’s degree encourages students to delve into the past and experience other cultures, regions, and ethnicities. There is no formal specialization from which to select, and the focus is on a broad, comparative history including regional and period histories. Race, global, and transnational studies afford future history professionals a comprehensive and diverse education.

Choose from a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. The B.A. prepares you for jobs in museums, historical societies, or as a precursor for a graduate degree or law school. Work toward a B.S. if your passion is teaching, namely in middle school, junior high or high school. This track prepares you for the Illinois Social Sciences Teaching License.

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Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

The History degree program can be earned by fulfilling the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree.

  • Total Degree Requirements: 120 credit hours
  • University Core Curriculum: 39 credit hours
  • College of Liberal Arts Requirements: 6 credit hours
  • Major Requirements: 36 credit hours
  • Approved Electives: 3 credit hours

Compass IconCheck out the undergraduate Curricular Guide, which helps you outline what courses you would want to take each semester for all four years. View our full list our courses available both on campus and online. 

Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements

The History degree program can be earned by fulfilling the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree.

  • Total Degree Requirements: 120 credit hours
  • University Core Curriculum: 39 credit hours
  • Major Requirements: 27 credit hours
  • Social Science Teaching License: 18 credit hours
  • Professional Education Requirements: 27 credit hours
  • Certification Requirements: 9 credit hours

Compass IconCheck out the undergraduate Curricular Guide, which helps you outline what courses you would want to take each semester for all four years. View our full list our courses available both on campus and online. 

Minor

Enhance your major and resume with a minor in history. You will learn skills and techniques that apply across all majors and careers. A minor is 18 semester hours -- at least nine of which must be completed at SIU Carbondale. Students select courses in at least two of the three fields of American, European, or Third World History.

SIU History Major Mikenzi Bushue

Online Pathway

Our online pathway is the same curriculum as on-campus, but you can complete the program on your schedule. Whether you are an incoming freshman or transferring from a community college or another university, our advisors will help you design a program that fits your needs.

Learn more about the Saluki Step Ahead option.

Research Facilities

SIU’s history program is renowned for its small classes, internships for credit, and Southern Illinois' rich historical significance (Trail of Tears and John A. Logan). Our professors are active scholars and act as mentors to students. This dynamic program engages students via field trips to museums and archives, archeology field schools, history fairs, access to thousands of original historical documents, and diverse class types including student-led seminars.

Research materials and opportunities are vast, not to mention historical sites in Southern Illinois, namely Trail of Tears and John A. Logan. SIU has been part of the Federal Depository program for over 85 years and holds more than 1.5 million government documents. Morris Library is the fourth largest library in Illinois and on seven floors it houses over 2 million volumes. Students have access to highly specialized materials because of Morris Library’s affiliation with the Center for Research Libraries in Chicago.

Teacher Education Program

A B.S. is History is the History Designation for the Illinois Social Sciences Teaching License. Students choosing to pursue this path, acceptance into the TEP is required to complete your degree. The TEP oversees the sequence of courses, field experiences and testing over four semesters that will qualify you to apply for your teaching license. This bachelor’s degree program prepares you to receive the professional Educator License (PEL) with a social science – history teaching endorsement.

History Fairs

Each year, SIU students and faculty judge regional history fairs. Nearly 200 high school and middle school students competed in The Southern Regional History Day Contest in March of 2022.

SIU students helped faculty judge their exhibits, media projects, research papers, and performances. These exciting events offer a glimpse of our future historians. 

Scholarships

The history program offers a number of scholarships and awards for deserving students. For more information on requirements and qualifications for scholarships, please contact the history department at history@siu.edu.

Financial aid and grants are available to students who qualify. Contact the financial aid office at fao@siu.edu for more information.

Careers

Graduates of our history program are prepared for a wide range of careers. History majors receive a well-rounded education and learn skills such as analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving, writing, research, and communication. Career paths include:

  • Museum Curator
  • Librarian
  • Historian
  • Paralegal
  • Teacher
  • Consultant
  • Contractor
  • Journalist
  • Archivist

Student Organizations

Enrich your college experience and make new friends while taking part in history-related activities and events with the history department’s recognized student organizations (RSOs). Join the History Club, Phi Alpha Theta (the History Honor Society), Reacting to the Past Club (who perform reenactments), Model United Nations, or the Southern Illinois Steampunk Guild. Students also create their own history podcasts on Spotify. 

Internships

An exciting variety of internships are available for history majors. Internships are optional and many can be counted toward college credits. From state and local governments to theater and museums, this is a great opportunity to experience different career paths.

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Contact Information

Joseph Sramek,
Undergraduate Coordinator
Faner Hall 3335
1000 Faner Dr
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone: 618-453-3380
sramek@siu.edu

Thomas Price,
Academic Advisor
Faner Hall 3341
1000 Faner Dr
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-453-3388
tprice@siu.edu