Bachelor of Arts in History
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History at the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) at the University of the Incarnate Word provides students with an understanding of the world and the diverse forces that shaped the past and influence the present.
Why History
History majors study the past, but they build the skills needed to create a future career path. Employers across industries look to hire people who can make sound decisions, work through complex problems, craft evidence-based persuasive arguments, and process information, all skills that the study of history helps to build. Students of history also develop strong research skills to become critical thinkers, which make them ideal candidates for graduate programs or futures in the political sphere.
History Curriculum
The B.A. in History degree at UIW is a 121-hour degree program that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the history of the United States of America. The History degree program also offers a comprehensive understanding of Global History with regional focus on South Asia, East Asia and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America.
The curriculum in History leads students to appreciate and understand the development of the contemporary world through the interaction of diverse forces over space and time. The study of history involves analysis and integration of a broad range of knowledge. Students can also expect to take part in engaging and creative approaches to learning including role playing, and simulation, debates and guided discussions, experiential learning and reacting to the past.
Students in UIW’s History program are required to take two semesters of both World History and U.S. History, Foundations of Historical Research and Making History. Additionally, they will take nine credit hours in U.S. History, nine credit hours in World History and three additional elective hours of their own choosing. Electives include Texas History, Introduction to Asian Studies, Public History or a History Internship.
UIW has exceptional faculty in the History department who regularly participate in conferences, publish research, and actively encourage students to do the same, while also keeping teaching and mentoring as the primary focus. Through smaller class sizes, UIW students build close relationships with each other and with the faculty members, fostering learning and advancement in the field of History.
In addition to the comprehensive understanding of U.S. and World History, UIW’s History program also offers specialized and thematic courses. UIW’s specialized courses include Global Human Rights, Global Refugees, Immigration, War and Society, Harry Potter and History, Star Trek and History, Women's History and Gaming in History. These specialized History courses give UIW students an exposure into the complex issues and debates of the 21st century world, providing the historical context to understand the world in which we live.
UIW students are encouraged to study abroad to foster personal growth, increase career aspects and provide experiential learning that isn’t available elsewhere. UIW Study Abroad offers students more than 140 study abroad locations around the world, two campuses in Mexico and countless faculty-led programs. UIW’s Study Abroad program promotes the Mission of UIW by developing enlightened citizens engaged in the human condition across the world. Study Abroad programs offer UIW students the opportunity to immerse themselves in diverse cultures while gaining new perspectives.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Virtual Study Abroad (VSA) programs are now available with select UIW Sister Schools.
Careers in History
UIW students earning a B.A. in History can explore a wide variety of careers after graduation. Because of their broad skill set, graduates are well suited for careers in fields as wide as communications, teaching, researcher, politics and public service, law, and business and administration, and the countless positions and opportunities those fields encompass. UIW graduates with a History degree are also well prepared for graduate school and post-graduate study.