Students in virtually any field will find a minor in history to be a valuable complement to their major. History bridges disciplines. It encourages students to consider a society in all its aspects—political, economic, social, moral, and aesthetic. Above all, history teaches an appreciation of change and continuity over time. Classes in history help develop skills in communicating ideas and evaluating arguments. The study of History is a fundamental part of a liberal education.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR:
- Six History Department courses of 3 or 4 credits each, taken for a letter grade.
- Courses should be distributed in at least three distinct mnemonics (HIAF, HIEA, HIEU, HILA, HIME, HISA, HIST, HIUS).
- Of the six courses required for the minor, no more than three may be taken in any one mnemonic.
- Courses taken in other departments may not be counted toward the minor unless cross-listed in the History Department (e.g., ECON 2061/HIUS 2061).
- Up to two approved transfer courses may be applied toward the minor. Courses taken before matriculation transfer toward the minor if they have been approved by the University and are on SIS with a History mnemonic (HIAF, HIEA, HIEU, HILA, HIME, HISA, HIST, HIUS). Courses taken after matriculation require departmental approval. Consult the Transfer Credit Approval Procedure link.
- Advanced Placement (AP)/International Baccalaureate (IB) courses cannot be counted towards the minor.
- There are no prerequisites for the minor.
HOW TO DECLARE:
Submit your major declaration using the Declare a Major or Minor form on the College website. Instructions for logging in and accessing the form can be found at the above link. Be sure to select the correct major so that we receive your declaration.
Once you have submitted your declaration, you can expect an email response from us in 5 business days during the Fall/Spring semester and within 10 business days at any other time.
Having trouble using the form? Email CollegeForms@virginia.edu with as much information as possible about your specific problem.
Haven’t heard back from us? Thank you for your patience! If your declaration is still in progress but you haven’t received an email from us in the time windows mentioned above, feel free to email us at [department inbox], including your full name, computing ID, and the major/minor you are trying to declare.
The form requires you to list the courses you have completed in the past and tentatively plan to take in the future to complete the minor requirements. Any history faculty member can help you devise a program of study or answer questions about the minor. Your form should list a total of 6 courses, including a maximum of 2 transfer courses from another institution or study abroad program.
ADVISING:
Minors are not assigned faculty advisers. Any member of the department, including the Director of Undergraduate Studies, will be glad to consult with minors about their program of study.
The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements.