Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs about the History Major

FAQs about the Social Sciences Major

What are the specific requirements for the degree?
The History major consists of 40 semester hours. This includes the following required courses: HIST 101, 102, 111, 112 (12 semester hours) as well as HIST 295 (3 semester hours) and HIST 495 (4 semester hours). Students must complete an additional 21 semester hours in upper-level History including at least 9  hours in American history, 6 hours in European history, and 6 hours in Global history (exclusive of 295 and 495). Courses are designated by category in the RU catalog.

What is the difference between the B.A. in History and the B.S. in History?
To earn a B.A. in History, the student must earn the equivalent of twelve semester hours in a foreign language. Students pursuing the B.S. in History must take 6-8 semester hours, beyond the core curriculum requirements, from the department-approved list of courses. Please consult the undergraduate catalog for more information. Students who intend to pursue graduate work in History are strongly advised to meet the requirements of the B.A. degree, and to prepare themselves by choosing academically-sound and challenging courses in consultation with their advisers.

Are internships available?
Yes, students can earn 3-15 semester hours in History or related disciplines for a one-semester internship with a museum, historical society, public or private agency, or politician. The department can provide general advice in this area. For more information, please contact the history department internship advisor, Mr. Greg Ryder (jryder3@radford.edu) or Dr. Sharon Roger Hepburn (shepburn@radford.edu), the chair of the department.  If the internship is related to a discipline outside the field of history, then, the student should work in close consultation with the department granting credit for the internship since it will approve and supervise the course of study.

Are there study abroad programs available?
The History Department provides opportunities for study abroad.  Summer study aboard history courses are offered on a regular basis, and more study aboard courses are available through the university International Programs office.

What special skills or abilities will I develop as a History major in a liberal arts context?
  Skills acquired through a History major include the following: communications skills, including enhanced writing and speaking skills; ability to gather information through reading and research; ability to analyze large quantities of data; ability to summarize and synthesize information; ability to draw logical conclusions from information; critical thinking skills; and the ability to place specific events into a larger context. In addition students acquire an ability to draw and appreciate cross-cultural comparisons.

How do I receive certification to teach at the  secondary level?
  Students who want to teach social studies should declare a Social Science major (Teaching option), and complete a specified core of semester hours in education, which includes classroom instruction, observation in the schools, and student teaching. Students should make application to the  Teacher Education Program in the School of Teacher Education and Leadership no later than their junior year and must pass through a screening program in the History Department. A minimum 2.75 GPA is required for admission to the program, but is not in itself a guarantee of admission.

Where can I obtain additional information about careers in History?
  Talk to your faculty advisor, other departmental faculty, and consult the career links on this website. Other resources are the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences Advising Center, Career Services, or the Office of Admissions.

What are the specific requirements for the degree?

The Social Science major has two options: a non-teaching option and a teaching option. Students must first declare the teaching option, and earn at least 30 hours in the teaching option, before they can move to the non-teaching option.

Social Science majors pursuing the Teaching option take 45 semester hours including 21 hours in History, 12 hours in Political Science, 6 hours in Geography, and 6 hours in Economics.  Social Science majors pursuing the Non-Teaching option take 51 semester hours including a minimum 18 hours of History courses (with 6 additional hours possible); a minimum 12 hours in Political Science (with 6 additional hours possible), 6 hours in Geography, and 3 hours in Economics, in addition to a secondary concentration hours in sociology.  Within the major (either option) certain specific courses are required.

What is the difference between the B.A. in Social Science and the B.S. in Social Science?
To earn a B.A. in Social Science, students must take 6-8 semester hours in one foreign language or American Sign Language. Students pursuing the B.S. in Social Science must take 6-8 semester hours from the department-approved list of courses. Please consult the undergraduate catalog for more information. Students who intend to pursue graduate work in any of the Social Sciences are strongly advised to meet the requirements of the B.A. degree, and double majoring in Social Science along with one of the specific Social Science disciplines.

Are internships available?
Yes, students can earn 3-15 semester hours in a Social Science discipline for a one-semester internship with a museum, historical society, public agency, or politician. Individual departments can provide general advice in this area. The student should work in close consultation with the department granting credit for the internship since it will approve and supervise the internship.

What special skills or abilities will I develop as a Social Science major in a liberal arts context?
Skills acquired through a Social Science major include the following: communications skills, including enhanced writing and speaking skills; ability to gather information through reading and research; ability to analyze large quantities of data; ability to summarize and synthesize information; ability to draw logical conclusions from information; critical thinking skills; and the ability to place specific events into a larger context.

How do I receive certification to teach at the secondary level?
A Social Science major seeking teaching licensure must complete a specified core of semester hours in education, which includes classroom instruction, observation in the schools, and student teaching. Students should make application to the Teacher Education Program in the School of Teacher Education and Leadership no later than their junior year and must pass through a screening program in their major. A minimum 2.75 GPA is required for admission to the program, but is not in itself a guarantee of admission. Students must pass both the Virginia Communications and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) and the PRAXIS II before beginning student teaching. Education courses are taken by students during their final semesters before graduation.

Where can I obtain additional information about careers in Social Science?
Talk to your faculty advisor, other departmental faculty and consult the career links on this website. Other resources are the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences Advising Center, Career Services, or the Office of Admissions.