Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in History

Learn From the Past to Shape the Future

Study history to understand different perspectives, engage the world in all its complexity, and think critically about the past and its relation to the present.

Through a broad-based liberal arts education, majoring in history at UT Tyler improves your writing and analytical skills and encourages you to weigh the merits of conflicting arguments and conduct in-depth research — all essential for pursuing a career in law, education, entrepreneurship or public service.

In the process, you develop the habits and techniques employers look for — strong communication, innovative problem-solving and teamwork. Select from Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science formats based on how you intend to apply your knowledge.

Why Major in History at UT Tyler?

Gain a versatile foundation that prepares you for careers requiring creativity, research skills, general knowledge and the ability to see events from different perspectives.

BA and BS in history students benefit from:

• Expert Faculty: Learn from engaged professors whose research interests span the world, from Brazil to Kenya to Ireland. Both teaching and mentoring awards have recognized our faculty members.
• Internships: Gain experience with an internship at the Parrott Park and Museum, Smith County Archives and Museum or UT Tyler’s own archives department.
• Undergraduate Research: Studying history in a close-knit department like ours means you have the opportunity to work side-by-side with faculty.
• Small Class Sizes: Study in small classes taught by dedicated full-time faculty who provide individualized attention.
• Enrichment Outside the Classroom: Expand your knowledge with unique activities such as historical re-enactments and lectures on historical topics at the Walter Prescott Webb Historical Society.

Curriculum

The history curriculum immerses you in an exciting and multidimensional intellectual experience while simultaneously preparing you for a wide array of career opportunities.

All history majors take a minimum of 36 semester hours in their major, of which 24 must be in upper-division courses. Delve into such areas as world history, European history and U.S. history, including classes on the history of Texas, military history, Native American history, African American history, and the Civil War and Reconstruction.

The Bachelor of Arts in history requires at least four semesters of a foreign language or a satisfactory grade on a written examination. 

The Bachelor of Science in history requires six credit hours from economics, geography, and/or computer science in addition to courses counted as lower-division preparation.

History Major Requirements

What Can You Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in History?

Apply your analytical and communication skills in fields like:

• Archival work
• Business
• Education
• Journalism
• Law
• Museums
• Nonprofits and startups
• Politics

For some of the most popular fields that history majors enter, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts rapid growth over the next decade, with demand for postsecondary teachers, management analysts and lawyers expected to rise by more than 10%.

Many recent graduates find employment as history teachers in area schools, including Tyler Legacy High School, Tyler High School and Grace Community School. Others hold positions in local government, the legal field, libraries and archives or pursue graduate school or law school.