B.A. in History

Study History on the Coast of Maine

Dive into the greatest story of all time — the story of humanity. Experience the thrilling chapters of the human chronicle come to life as you earn your Bachelor of Arts in History. Discover how people made sense of their world and how their experiences, actions, and beliefs help us to make sense of ours. At UNE, you will chart a course through the past while developing 21st-century skills that prepare you for an exciting future.

Request Info Visit UNE How to Apply

A group of students look at old maps of the United States laid out on a wooden table

Why UNE for your B.A. in History

Whether you’re working side-by-side with your professors as a research assistant or embarking on your own historical investigations, at UNE you’ll be making history in no time.

Take advantage of UNE’s impressive archival collections
Enjoy small class sizes and close working relationships
Travel the globe to places of historical interest
Polish your skills — and your resume — with intriguing internships
Join the unique HuMed program to prepare for medical school while pursuing your passion for history

Claire Alden ’20

History, Political Science, Global Studies

Why UNE

UNE was my first choice in New England because I had a really keen interest in Maine in general. I think it’s beautiful, so the first thing that I was looking for was a beautiful campus, and UNE is absolutely stunning.

The first thing that stuck out to me when I toured UNE was the friendliness of the staff and the close integration of the students. Compared to other campuses that I visited, the students here were the nicest and friendliest. Everyone seemed more academically focused too. All of the students who I talked to while touring seemed to put academics first, which I liked.

I love travel, and history is a big part of that. Both History and Global Studies are strong programs here, and I like the broadness of studying the humanities. I study History and Political Science of course, but I also study international relations, anthropology, cultural studies, and more. It is all interconnected. I don’t think I really consider myself to have a double major and a minor because it all feels like one package deal to me. I think that there is a lot to benefit from global studies, but I also think that it’s important to understand the world and its different cultures and people.

Last year, I studied abroad in Paris, and while I was there, I got to work with the global education department a little bit. I’m leaning towards a global education career now. Because I’ve lived abroad, I've experienced people helping my family try to get over there and set that up for us and then experienced it again when I went abroad to Paris for a semester. It’s important to me to be able to make that same positive difference in other people's lives.

Global Opportunities

I originally chose UNE’s study abroad program in France because it was more political science-directed. It’s a newer program, and it’s set at a graduate school there. I knew that would be challenging for me, and that was exciting. The classes were incredible. I can’t put into words how amazing the experience was overall.

The professors were so smart, and so were the students. My peers ranged from people just a little older than me to people in their fifties trying to get their doctorate degrees. It was energizing to be among so many scholarly people, some of whom were even writing their theses. The school was amazing.

In the beginning, we ventured out around Paris a bit timidly, but by March, we felt settled and part of the big city. We were swiping our cards to get on the metro and knew which lines to take; we knew how to get to school and the Eiffel Tower; and we even picked up some shortcuts for getting through our neighborhood. We had the hang of things. I think that’s my fondest memory of being there. It was the moment when I realized that I had made my own home there. I knew my way around. Once we were comfortable in Paris, we took our first trip to Belgium. It was about a two-hour train ride. Then we went to Brussels next, and then we planned a big spring break trip. It was such a great opportunity to see new parts of the world.

I love travel, and history is a big part of that. Both History and Global Studies are strong programs here, and I like the broadness of studying the humanities. I study History and Political Science of course, but I also study international relations, anthropology, cultural studies, and more. It is all interconnected.

What will you study? History Degree Curriculum Overview

B.A. in History Courses

There are many ways you can navigate the History major. The following are just some examples of the exciting courses that you can take:

History of Drugs in the Americas
War Letters
Sex and the City
Drink! A History of Liquid Refreshment
Holocaust in History and Memory
Terrorism in Latin America
Latin American History Through Film

Curriculum

CAS Core Requirements	Total Credits
Credits	42–43

CAS Core Requirements	Credits
Total Credits	42–43

Program Required Courses	HIS 150 – Telling Tales of the Past
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	HIS 222 – U.S. History: Contact-Civil War
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	HIS 223 – U.S. History: Reconst-Present
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	HIS 290 – History Hands on Topics or HIS 291 – War Letters or HIS 292 – Mourning the Dead or HIS 295 – Medicine and the Media
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	HIS 395 – What Really Happened?
Credits	3

Program Required Courses	Select One (1) History Concentration (below)
Credits	21

Program Required Courses	Total Credits
Credits	36

Program Required Courses	Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits)
Credits	Variable

Program Required Courses	Credits
HIS 150 – Telling Tales of the Past	3
HIS 222 – U.S. History: Contact-Civil War	3
HIS 223 – U.S. History: Reconst-Present	3
HIS 290 – History Hands on Topics or HIS 291 – War Letters or HIS 292 – Mourning the Dead or HIS 295 – Medicine and the Media	3
HIS 395 – What Really Happened?	3
Select One (1) History Concentration (below)	21
Total Credits	36
Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits)	Variable

Minimum Total Required Credits	120

History Concentration Options

No Concentration	LIL 420 – Arts & Humanities Capstone
Credits	3

No Concentration	Six (6) credits of electives from List A or List B
Credits	6

No Concentration	Twelve (12) credits of electives from List A with at least six (6) credits at 300- or 400-level
Credits	12

No Concentration	Credits
LIL 420 – Arts & Humanities Capstone	3
Six (6) credits of electives from List A or List B	6
Twelve (12) credits of electives from List A with at least six (6) credits at 300- or 400-level	12

History Education Concentration	LIL 420 – Arts & Humanities Capstone or EDU 498 – Secondary Internship & Seminar
Credits	3

History Education Concentration	PSC 101 – Intro to American Politics
Credits	3

History Education Concentration	PSC 210 – Constitutional Law
Credits	3

History Education Concentration	Six (6) credits of 300- or 400-level electives from List A
Credits	6

History Education Concentration	Six (6) credits of electives from List A or List B
Credits	6

History Education Concentration	Credits
LIL 420 – Arts & Humanities Capstone or EDU 498 – Secondary Internship & Seminar	3
PSC 101 – Intro to American Politics	3
PSC 210 – Constitutional Law	3
Six (6) credits of 300- or 400-level electives from List A	6
Six (6) credits of electives from List A or List B	6

Elective Course Options

List A Electives	ARH 210 – Art History Survey I
Credits	3

List A Electives	ARH 211 – Art History Survey II
Credits	3

List A Electives	ARH 260 – Renaissance & Baroque Art
Credits	3

List A Electives	ARH 270 – Art in the Modern World
Credits	3

List A Electives	ARH 333 – Moroccan Theatre/Social Ch
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 106 – Women, Health, and History
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 199 – Expl: Topics in History
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 204 – Growing Up Female
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 230 – From Togas to Black Rats
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 231 – Reformations, Revolutions
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 240 – Latin Amer His I: Colonial Lat
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 241 – Latin Amer His II: Modern Latin
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 250 – American Women’s History I
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 251 – American Women’s History II
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 266 – Hist of Drugs in the Americas
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 276 – History Human Trad I
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 278 – Human Traditions
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 280 – History Internship
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 290 – History Hands On Topics
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 291 – War Letters
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 292 – Mourning the Dead
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 299 – History Topics
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 312 – College Girls
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 318 – Histories of London
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 335 – Environmental History of New England Seminar
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 337 – Topics in Women’s History
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 341 – Bestsellers & the Big Bad City
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 343 – Modern Tourism
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 344 – Postwar: Europe After WWII
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 349 – Hist of Gender/Sexuality in LA
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 351 – History of Modern Mexico
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 370 – Slaves/Citiz: Afr in New World
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 397 – History Independent Study
Credits	1–12

List A Electives	HIS 399 – Topics in History
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 400 – Topics in History
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 404 – Directed Readings in History
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 410 – Advanced Humanities Seminar
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 420 – History Internship
Credits	3

List A Electives	HIS 497 – History Independent Study
Credits	1–12

List A Electives	Credits
ARH 210 – Art History Survey I	3
ARH 211 – Art History Survey II	3
ARH 260 – Renaissance & Baroque Art	3
ARH 270 – Art in the Modern World	3
ARH 333 – Moroccan Theatre/Social Ch	3
HIS 106 – Women, Health, and History	3
HIS 199 – Expl: Topics in History	3
HIS 204 – Growing Up Female	3
HIS 230 – From Togas to Black Rats	3
HIS 231 – Reformations, Revolutions	3
HIS 240 – Latin Amer His I: Colonial Lat	3
HIS 241 – Latin Amer His II: Modern Latin	3
HIS 250 – American Women’s History I	3
HIS 251 – American Women’s History II	3
HIS 266 – Hist of Drugs in the Americas	3
HIS 276 – History Human Trad I	3
HIS 278 – Human Traditions	3
HIS 280 – History Internship	3
HIS 290 – History Hands On Topics	3
HIS 291 – War Letters	3
HIS 292 – Mourning the Dead	3
HIS 299 – History Topics	3
HIS 312 – College Girls	3
HIS 318 – Histories of London	3
HIS 335 – Environmental History of New England Seminar	3
HIS 337 – Topics in Women’s History	3
HIS 341 – Bestsellers & the Big Bad City	3
HIS 343 – Modern Tourism	3
HIS 344 – Postwar: Europe After WWII	3
HIS 349 – Hist of Gender/Sexuality in LA	3
HIS 351 – History of Modern Mexico	3
HIS 370 – Slaves/Citiz: Afr in New World	3
HIS 397 – History Independent Study	1–12
HIS 399 – Topics in History	3
HIS 400 – Topics in History	3
HIS 404 – Directed Readings in History	3
HIS 410 – Advanced Humanities Seminar	3
HIS 420 – History Internship	3
HIS 497 – History Independent Study	1–12

List B Electives	CMM 135 – Evolution of Television
Credits	3

List B Electives	CMM 170 – Evolution of Documentary Film
Credits	3

List B Electives	EDU 438 – Teaching Sec Social Studies
Credits	3

List B Electives	EDU 498 – Secondary Internship & Seminar
Credits	12

List B Electives	ENG 216 – Criminals, Idiots & Minors
Credits	3

List B Electives	ENG 220 – History of the English Language
Credits	3

List B Electives	ENG 412 – Humanities Seminar: Slavery
Credits	3

List B Electives	GWS 276 – Women in the Ancient World
Credits	3

List B Electives	GWS 278 – Women in the Modern Worlds
Credits	3

List B Electives	LIL 120 – Intro to Arts & Humanities Sem
Credits	3

List B Electives	MUS 220 – History of Jazz
Credits	3

List B Electives	WRT 317 – Proposal and Grant Writing
Credits	3

List B Electives	Credits
CMM 135 – Evolution of Television	3
CMM 170 – Evolution of Documentary Film	3
EDU 438 – Teaching Sec Social Studies	3
EDU 498 – Secondary Internship & Seminar	12
ENG 216 – Criminals, Idiots & Minors	3
ENG 220 – History of the English Language	3
ENG 412 – Humanities Seminar: Slavery	3
GWS 276 – Women in the Ancient World	3
GWS 278 – Women in the Modern Worlds	3
LIL 120 – Intro to Arts & Humanities Sem	3
MUS 220 – History of Jazz	3
WRT 317 – Proposal and Grant Writing	3

To learn more about the program see the Academic Catalog.

Secondary Education Certificate

If your goal is to be a middle school or high school social studies teacher, we offer the secondary education courses you need to meet the standards for State of Maine certification (grades 7-12) upon graduation.

Pre-Law Emphasis

If you are considering law school, you should consult with faculty in the History program to design an appropriate course of study. The Pre-Law Emphasis ensures that you develop a foundation in the liberal arts that will prepare you for law school and success in the legal profession.

Honors Program

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant scholarly, creative, or experiential activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their advisor.

Meet our faculty and professional staff

Digging Up the Past: Students Unearth UNE’s History

Students in Professor Eric Zuelow’s Topics in History: Unearthing UNE’s Past class explore the history of UNE through an archaeological dig on the Biddeford campus.

Career Paths for History Majors

The skillset you develop as a History major includes critical thinking, communication skills, the ability to adopt different perspectives, and life skills acquired from internships and faculty/peer relationships. You might be surprised where these skills take you.

Our graduates have pursued many fascinating professions, including

Businessperson
Doctor
Lawyer
Archivist
Teacher
Artist
Museum Professional
Published Author

Career Advising for B.A. in History Students

Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, Career Advising is here to help you plan your next step.

History Facilities

Libraries

Our two libraries — the Ketchum Library on the Biddeford Campus and the Abplanalp Library on the Portland Campus for the Health Sciences — offer more than 135,000 print volumes, more than 375,000 e-books, and 80,000 full-text journals. As a student researcher, you have the opportunity to display your work in highly-visible exhibit space.

Maine Women Writers Collection

As a History student, you have the opportunity to explore our Maine Women Writers Collection, which is housed in the Abplanalp Library. This one-of-a-kind collection provides a unique perspective into the literary, cultural, and social history of Maine and New England women.

Bush Legacy Collection

Our George and Barbara Bush Center presents another treasure trove of rare historic documents and artifacts. The Bush Legacy Collection houses materials related to the life of George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, focusing on his family’s New England heritage.

The Randall J. Cushing Collection

The Bush Center also houses other collections of historic significance, like The Randall J. Cushing Collection of World War I and World War II Letters, which is a compilation of correspondences sent home from various soldiers to their loved ones between 1914 and 1963.

Interested in our History program?

Apply

Request Info

Experiential Learning in the Bachelor’s Degree in History Program

The History major emphasizes hands-on, real-world learning, providing you with experiences that will set you apart in numerous professional fields. You may curate a museum exhibit, conduct an independent study, or learn how to handle old documents and artifacts. At UNE, you don’t just learn history — you do history.

Research Opportunities for History Majors

Become a research assistant
Engage in your own scholarship
Develop skills applicable to virtually any field

Find out more about opportunities for undergraduate student research and scholarship, including the LASKA Scholarship, a $2,000 scholarship funded by the New England History Teachers Association.

Internships for History Majors

Explore career options
Network with professionals
Gain valuable learning/work experience in the field
Intern near campus during the academic year or in your hometown over the summer

Internship sites include

Libraries
Museums
Politicians’ Offices
Multinational Corporations
Historical Societies
Law Offices

For more information email the Academic and Career Advising Center at advising@tsunoi-toso.com.

Students using a magnifying glass to look at historical U N E documents

Beyond the History Classroom

Clubs and Organizations

As a History student, you have the opportunity to participate in student organizations geared toward people with a passion similar to your own, including the History Club, and — if you have a 3.1 GPA or higher in history courses and a 3.0 GPA overall — Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honors society.

History Student of the Year

This award is presented each spring to the most outstanding History major or minor, by faculty vote.

The Human Nature Project

The Human Nature Project is a UNE initiative to foster research and education into the interdisciplinary nexus of cognitive science and evolutionary studies. Cognitive science studies the mind and its processes. Evolutionary psychology aims to understand the human mind and behavior in the context of its biological origins. The Human Nature Project provides a platform for sustained dialog between these disciplines.

Apply Today

Ready to begin your future in UNE’s B.A. in History degree program? Get started today.

Apply

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Bachelor of Arts in History FAQ

What can you do with a history degree?

As a history major, you'll gain valuable skills like critical thinking, effective communication, seeing things from various viewpoints, and practical skills from internships and connections with faculty and peers. These skills can lead you to a variety of career opportunities including:

Teacher – Earning a bachelor's degree in history and then completing a teacher preparation program prepares you for a career as a secondary history teacher. UNE offers the secondary education courses you need to meet the standards for State of Maine certification (grades 7-12) upon graduation.
Lawyer – History is a fitting major for anyone interested in the legal field. As indicated by a Law School Admission Council (LSAC) report, history stands out as one of the most prevalent majors among law school applicants, with a particularly high admission rate of 77.5% for history majors. At UNE, history majors considering law school can seek guidance from History program faculty to structure their academic path. The History major is designed to provide you with a solid liberal arts foundation, positioning you well for law school and a prosperous legal career.
Archeologist – According to the Society for American Archaeology, a 4-year college degree (B.A. or B.S.) is the minimum educational requirement for a career in archaeology. While anthropology or archaeology are common majors, related fields like history or geography are also suitable. For roles beyond entry-level archaeologist positions, the majority of archaeological jobs require a master's degree. UNE offers an Anthropology minor with faculty in many specialty areas including archaeology. Students participate in classroom activities, research, internships, and activities including on-campus archaeology digs.
Librarian – A career as a librarian could start with an undergraduate degree in history. From there, graduates move on to pursue a master’s degree in library science.
Archivist – History majors could land a job as an archivist and work with paper documents, photographs, maps, films, and computer records.

History majors can also consider graduate study in fields including law, journalism, the arts, and business. To apply for MBA programs, you need an undergraduate degree, but it doesn't have to be in a specific field. A liberal arts degree in a subject like history often signifies a comprehensive education. Admission to an MBA program considers various factors like entrance exam scores (e.g., GMAT, GRE).

Graduates of UNE’s Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History degree program in Maine have pursued careers as businesspersons, doctors, lawyers, archivists, teachers, artists, museum professionals, and published authors.

As a History student at UNE, you will have the ability to work with our Academic and Career Advising Center. It doesn’t matter if you have a clear career goal or just a general interest in a field.

Learn more about Career Advising at UNE

How much does a history major make?

Is a history degree worth it?

What does a history degree teach you?

How long does it take to get a history degree?

What are the best colleges for history majors?

Below are a few factors that you should look for in an undergraduate history program.

Faculty

Figure out your preferences for an instructor and dive into their academic and professional background. Explore the opportunities for networking with professionals that can enhance your career prospects.

UNE’s history program boasts small class sizes and close working relationships with faculty. You can work side-by-side with your professors as a research assistant or embark on your own historical investigations. At UNE, our faculty don’t just teach history – they do history. The History major emphasizes hands-on, real-world learning, providing you with experiences that will set you apart in numerous professional fields.

Meet faculty and professional staff in the School of Arts and Humanities

Curriculum

Learn about the types of classes you’ll be taking and the types of internships and learning experiences offered.

There are many ways you can navigate the UNE History major. The following are just some examples of the exciting courses that you can take:

History of Drugs in the Americas
War Letters
Sex and the City
Drink! A History of Liquid Refreshment
Revolutionary Medicine
Terrorism in Latin America
Latin American History Through Film

UNE's one-of-a-kind HuMed program readies students for medical school while allowing them to follow their humanities passion. HuMed offers enriched curriculum flexibility without acceleration, enabling students to dedicate time and energy to explore aspects of the human condition that aren't attainable through a conventional pre-med route.

The UNE History major focuses on practical, real-world learning that stands out in various professions. You might curate a museum exhibit, do independent research, or handle historical documents. At UNE, it's not just about learning history; it's about actively engaging in historical work.

UNE is committed to experiential learning. Students can become research assistants and engage in their own scholarship plus develop skills applicable to virtually any field.

Opportunities for undergraduate student research and scholarship, include the LASKA Scholarship, a $2,000 scholarship funded by the New England History Teachers Association.

Learn more about undergraduate research and scholarships at UNE

Internships for history majors at UNE allow students to explore career options, network with professionals, and gain valuable learning/work experience in the field. Intern near campus during the academic year or in your hometown over the summer. Internship sites include libraries, museums, politicians’ offices, multinational corporations, historical societies, and law offices.

Learn more about internship opportunities with the UNE College of Arts and Sciences

Career goals

Determine if the program offers career advising and qualifies you for a lucrative, rewarding career in the history field.

UNE History majors develop skills including critical thinking, communication, the ability to adopt different perspectives, and life skills acquired from internships and faculty/peer relationships. These skills open you up for a variety of careers or prepare you for graduate study.

UNE offers Career Advising to help history majors plan their next step. 93% of bachelor’s degree graduates are employed or continuing higher education within six months to one year of graduating.

Location and environment

Ask yourself what kind of environment suits you best. Figure out if you want to stay in your state or if you wish to move. See if you will be inspired or challenged by your fellow students and faculty.

UNE offers a great environment for history majors. Overall, UNE boasts small class sizes. We have a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio and an average class size of 20.

Learn more facts about UNE

Our two libraries, the Ketchum Library on the Biddeford Campus and the Abplanalp Library on the Portland Campus house a collection of over 135,000 print volumes, over 375,000 e-books, and 80,000 full-text journals. Student researchers have the opportunity to display their work in highly-visible exhibit space.

Also, students can explore the Maine Women Writers Collection at the Abplanalp Library. This one-of-a-kind collection offers a unique view of the literary, cultural, and social history of women in Maine and New England.

At the George and Barbara Bush Center, the Bush Legacy Collection holds rare items about the 41st U.S. President, George H.W. Bush, emphasizing his New England family heritage. The Center also features The Randall J. Cushing Collection, containing World War I and II letters sent by soldiers to loved ones between 1914 and 1963.

Beyond the classroom, history students can engage in student groups that match their interests, like the History Club and Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honors society (requires a 3.1 GPA in history courses and a 3.0 overall GPA). The History Student of the Year award, chosen by faculty, honors the top History major or minor each spring.

Learn more about student clubs and organizations at UNE

UNE students study abroad at nearly five times the national average. Our Global Education Program offers an array of short-term travel courses to many destinations.

Learn more about study abroad opportunities at UNE

Financial aid

Does the school you are considering offer financial aid or scholarships to help you in your education?

A UNE education is very affordable. Our tuition is 16% below the average tuition for private universities in New England. All incoming full-time undergraduate students at UNE will receive Merit Scholarships in amounts from $5,000 to $22,000 per year.

Learn more about grants and scholarships available for UNE undergraduate students

UNE's Student Financial Services includes both Financial Aid and Student Accounts offices. Our program maximizes available institutional and federal funds. To discover ways to fund your education, reach out at sfs@tsunoi-toso.com or (207) 602-2342 during our Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–3 p.m. office hours.