Major and Minor Requirements

Students pursuing a history major or minor will enroll in thought-provoking courses that explore the varying ways people have wrestled with the perennial problems of human existence. We will work with you to develop your skills in research, analysis, and communication that will serve you well professionally and personally for the rest of your lives.

Divisional

• Students can receive divisional credit for HST 101-150.
• Students with 2 AP courses (6 credit hours) can receive divisional credit for 200 and 300 level courses. We encourage any student considering a major or minor in history to choose this option. If you have questions, please contact Department Chair Rais Rahman (rahmanmr@wfu.edu) or Associate Chair Ben Coates (coatesba@wfu.edu).
• Students with 2 AP courses (6 credit hours) who wish to take a 100 level course for divisional credit can do so, but should check for conflicts.  AP European History counts as HST 102 and AP World History counts as HST 103; check the bulletin for specific conflicts in course credits. (https://bulletin.wfu.edu/courses-instruction/history/)

Major

• Go to WIN and follow the instructions for declaring a major.
• Complete 31 course hours (no more than 6 hours from courses numbered 100-150 or AP/IB credit)
• 3 credit hours in four fields: pre-modern, United States, European, and African, Asian, Latin American or Middle Eastern history
• History 390 or 392 Research Seminar
• Courses taken pass/fail do not count towards the major

Download a flyer with history major requirements here

Minor

• Go to WIN and follow the instructions for declaring a major.
• Complete 18 History course hours (no more than 6 hours from 100-level course or AP/IB credit)
• At least 9 History course hours completed at Wake Forest University
• Courses taken pass/fail do not count toward the minor

Optional Thematic Concentrations for Majors and Minors

History Majors and Minors may complete a thematic concentration as part of their program of study. Interested students identify a theme that cuts across geographic or temporal periods and tie together classes they have taken with courses they plan to pursue. 

• Read the Thematic Concentration Guidelines
• Submit a Thematic Concentration Application Form to the History Department Office, Tribble Hall B101

Students may propose a concentration of their own design or pursue one from this list:

• Cultural and Intellectual History
• Economics, Trade, and Commerce
• Gender/Sexuality/LGBTQ
• Global/Transnational History
• International Relations and Military History
• Jewish History
• Politics, Governance, and Law
• Religion and Society
• Science, Medicine, and Technology
• Social History After you have completed your concentration, submit the Thematic Concentration Completion Form to the History Department Office, Tribble Hall B101