History teaches you to think — critically, contextually, and with evidence. GCU's B.A. in History builds the research, argumentation, and writing skills that graduate schools, law schools, and employers across every sector value. Explore U.S. and world history from ancient to contemporary, culminate in an original research seminar, and graduate with the analytical tools to understand — and shape — the world in which you live.
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Don't let anyone tell you History isn't practical. Employers across law, business, government, journalism, and nonprofit work consistently rank critical thinking, written argumentation, research skills, and contextual analysis as their most valued competencies — and these are the core skills the History major develops. GCU's B.A. in History doesn't just teach you what happened. It teaches you how to evaluate evidence, construct an argument, and communicate it persuasively — transferable skills for every career and every form of advanced study.
GCU's History curriculum ensures genuine breadth. Required survey courses span U.S. history to 1877, U.S. history since 1877, world history to 1500, and world history since 1500 — building the chronological and geographic foundation that makes upper-level specialization meaningful. African American History (HST150) can substitute for one of the U.S. surveys. Upper-level electives allow you to pursue specific periods, regions, and themes in depth — from Rebels and Radicals in US History and Asian American history to political and religious history — across 18 credits at the 300–400 level.
HST300 Historian's Craft is the methodological heart of the program — a required course that introduces students to how historians actually work: reading primary sources, evaluating evidence, locating arguments in historiographical context, and beginning to produce original historical writing. It's the course that transforms history students into historians. HST475 History Seminar is the capstone — where you produce a substantial, fully documented historical research paper.
The History major is one of GCU's most versatile teacher certification pathways. Students can pursue NJ certification in Social Studies (K–12) with TOSD Endorsement, Elementary Education (K–6) with TOSD Endorsement and optional Social Studies Middle School Endorsement, or Early Childhood Education (P–3) with TOSD Endorsement — all available alongside the History major. History is also excellent preparation for teaching at the secondary level in social studies, American studies, and related disciplines.
Departmental Honors in History: High-achieving History students may pursue departmental honors. Contact the department for eligibility requirements — completing original research and presenting at a public scholarly forum are central to the honors experience, and are valuable credentials for law school, graduate school, and competitive employment applications.
History is more than the study of the past — it is the study of how human beings have organized their lives, managed power, created meaning, and shaped the conditions of the present. And in learning to read that record critically, historians develop capabilities that are indispensable across virtually every professional context.
GCU’s B.A. in History is grounded in the conviction that studying history through a liberal arts lens prepares students not just for specific careers, but for a life of engaged, informed citizenship and intellectual leadership. Through the study of U.S. and world history — from ancient civilizations to contemporary events — students develop the ability to read critically, think logically, write effectively, and conduct original research from primary and secondary sources.
The program is deliberately structured to build from breadth to depth. The required survey sequences ensure students have a strong chronological and geographic foundation before moving into upper-level specialization. Required — Historian’s Craft and History Seminar — bookend the program’s methodology: the former introduces students to how historians work; the latter produces original, documented historical research.
GCU’s History faculty bring both scholarly expertise and the values-centered perspective of a
Mercy institution to their teaching. Students are explicitly asked to reflect on how persons of Mercy might react to particular historical events and dilemmas — a dimension of the program that develops ethical historical consciousness alongside analytical rigor.
The program is notable for its accessibility as a pre-law pathway (History is one of the top undergraduate majors for law school admission nationally), its compatibility with multiple NJ teacher certification tracks, and its direct relevance to careers in government, journalism, nonprofit work, business, and public service.
GCU’s B.A. in History is a great fit if you:
| Career | Entry Salary | Mid-Career Salary | Experienced Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Studies / History Teachers | $52,000–$62,000 | $76,200 | $90,000–$105,000+ |
| Lawyers (J.D. required) | $80,000–$120,000 | $161,400 | $200,000+ |
| Policy Analysts | $55,000–$72,000 | $101,200 | $130,000+ |
| Archivists / Historians (M.A. typical) | $42,000–$55,000 | $62,400 | $80,000+ |
Job Outlook
To earn this degree, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including General Education requirements and the major requirements below.
A maximum of four 100-level courses will be accepted in the major. A maximum of two 200-level courses will be accepted in the major. (History majors can use PO211 American National Government to satisfy one 200-level History Elective). History majors will be required to take 36 semester hours in history to earn the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. History majors cannot use any HST course or PO211 American National Government to fulfill any IMPACT general education program course requirement. Majors take:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HST110 | US History Survey to 1877 1 | 3.0 |
| HST111 | US History Survey since 1877 1 | 3.0 |
| HST120 | World History Survey to 1500 | 3.0 |
| HST121 | World History Survey since 1500 | 3.0 |
| 300- and 400-level courses (excluding internships) 2 | 18.0 | |
| Additional courses above the 100-level | 6.0 | |
| Total Credits | 36.0 | |
History majors can use HST150 African American History to satisfy either the HST110 US History Survey to 1877 or the HST111 US History Survey since 1877 requirement, but not both. A transfer course on African American History 1619-Present will be accepted in place of either HST110 or HST 111, but not both.
Including HST300 Historian’s Craft and HST475 History Seminar.
History majors (but not others) must complete HST300 Historian’s Craft with a C- or higher, prior to or concurrent with enrollment in 200-/300-/ 400-level history courses.
To successfully exit the department, majors are required to earn a minimum grade of C- on the HST475 History Seminar research paper, a minimum grade of C- in HST475 History Seminar, and a minimum final grade point average of 2.5 in the major.
A maximum of 18 approved credits for the history major may be accepted in transfer, and 9 approved credits for the history minor.
Admissions Requirements First-Year Students
Note: Strong readers and writers with a genuine curiosity about the past thrive in this program. AP U.S. History, AP World History, AP European History, AP Government, or dual enrollment history coursework are excellent preparation.
Transfer Students
By the time you earn your B.A. in History from GCU, you’ll be able to:
Q: Is History a practical degree for the job market? A: More than many people assume. History develops exactly the skills that employers consistently say they want but struggle to find: the ability to read critically, synthesize complex information, write persuasively, and think through ambiguous problems from multiple perspectives. These aren’t just academic skills — they’re what lawyers, policy analysts, journalists, managers, and government officials use every day. History is one of the top three undergraduate majors for law school admission nationally. It’s also one of the strongest foundations for careers in journalism, nonprofit leadership, government, and business management.
Q: Is History good preparation for law school? A: Yes — History is consistently among the top three undergraduate majors for law school admission in the United States, alongside Political Science and English. The LSAT rewards the same skills the History major develops: close reading of complex texts, logical argumentation from evidence, and precision in written expression. GCU History graduates considering law school should also take Political Science electives, constitutional law electives (CJ/PO313), and connect with GCU’s pre-law advising resources.
Q: What is the Historian’s Craft course, and when should I take it? A: HST300 Historian’s Craft is the methodological gateway to advanced work in the major — it introduces you to how historians actually practice their discipline. It must be completed before (or concurrently with) enrollment in 200-/300-/400-level history courses. You need a C– or higher to move forward in the program. Plan to take it in your second year, after completing the required survey courses. Do not delay — your ability to enroll in upper-level electives depends on completing it.
Q: Can I use History courses to fulfill General Education requirements? A: No — History majors cannot use any HST course or PO211 American National Government to fulfill any IMPACT General Education requirement. This means History majors must fulfill all GE requirements with non-HST courses. Plan your GE requirements carefully with your advisor to ensure you have room for both major and GE courses within 120 credits.
Q: Can I become a teacher with a History degree? A: Yes — and the History major is compatible with multiple NJ teacher certification pathways: Social Studies K–12 with TOSD Endorsement (the most directly aligned); Elementary Education K–6 with TOSD Endorsement; and Early Childhood Education P–3 with TOSD Endorsement. For the Social Studies K–12 certification, you may need additional courses in political science, sociology, geography, economics, and anthropology beyond the History major itself — confirm requirements with the Department of Education.
Q: What is the GPA requirement to graduate? A: You must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in the major, earn a C– or higher on the HST475 History Seminar research paper, and earn a C– or higher overall in HST475. These are minimum thresholds — for graduate school and law school applications, a significantly higher GPA is expected.
Q: When should I apply? A: Rolling admissions — apply any time. Priority deadlines are November 1, January 1, and March 1.
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