Majors, Minors, and Programs

Just an hour from Washington, D.C., UMW is a small school with growing diversity and passionate master teachers. Our liberal arts and sciences curriculum – with more than 60 majors, minors, and courses of study – will challenge your mind and let you explore.

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History

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Explore world and American history in Fredericksburg, Virginia, a city with a long human story of its own. Here you can study pre-European cultures, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the 20th century — and that’s just outside the classroom. UMW’s master teachers will ground you in a broad knowledge of history and help you narrow your focus to gain specialized expertise. You’ll leave ready to make a difference in a career or graduate school.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in History who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History.

Areas of Study

The history curriculum offers courses from ancient to modern times in the Americas and around the world. The major is distinctive for courses that develop critical judgment, including first-year seminars, history colloquium and practicum, and a senior-level historical research class.

Career Opportunities

UMW history majors graduate with skills in research, analysis, writing, public speaking, and digital media. Recent UMW history graduates have found careers as a PBS programmer, a  judge, a museum curator, an online writer, a high school teacher, and college professors. Graduates may find work in media, government, national parks, education, law, business, international management, and more. Many earn advanced degrees.

Internships

UMW is in history-rich Fredericksburg and an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia, making our campus an excellent base for a history-focused internship. UMW students have found internships with the Smithsonian Institution, the National Archives, the U.S. Marine Corps at Quantico, the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, Mount Vernon, and regional museums.

Honors

To be considered for honors in history at graduation, you must have at least a 3.5 grade-point average in the major and must research, write, submit, and defend a historical paper before a faculty panel.

Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honorary society, offers opportunities to participate in social and educational activities.

Requirements

The history major requires 36 credits including survey courses, electives at the 200 level or higher, and electives at the 400 level. Internships are encouraged and may receive academic credit at the discretion of the department chair.

Scholarships

The department awards five scholarships annually through competitive application for history and American studies majors.

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Special Majors

Students also have the option to design a special major that combines courses from two or more academic disciplines into a coherent plan of study. Special majors are developed with a faculty advisor and approved by a curriculum committee. Examples of some of the special majors UMW students have developed are journalism, digital media studies, Italian studies, linguistics, biochemistry, communication, arts management, and Latin American studies.

Honors Program

The undergraduate Honors Program offers advanced students the opportunity to engage in rigorous honors designated coursework, interdisciplinary seminars, strong internship experiences, extended research and creative projects, and community service as part of a supportive community of learners.

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