Associate of Arts Degree in History
San Mateo, USA
Associate of Arts
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Jul 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 4,512 / per semester *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for a 12-unit semester | 376 USD per unit | non-inclusive of miscellaneous fees
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
The Associate in Arts in History for Transfer degree prepares students for transfer into bachelor's degree programs in History and similar programs at a CSU campus and guarantees admission to the CSU system. History course work in general is helpful to the student who intends to eventually pursue graduate studies in such diverse fields as history, law, and education. Most career opportunities associated with this discipline require the minimum of a B.A. degree. Some business firms and government agencies seek persons with a broad overview and perspective of historical phases and processes of change. Reserach and ciritical thinking skills relevant to the major are applicable to a wide range of professions.
| Required Core: Select 2 courses, 6 unit minimum | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 201 | United States History I | 3 units |
| HIST 202 | United States History II | 3 units |
| List A: Select 2 courses, 6 unit minimum | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 100 | History of Western Civilization I | 3 units |
| OR | ||
| HIST 104 | World History I | 3 units |
| HIST 101 | History of Western Civilization II | 3 units |
| OR | ||
| HIST 106 | World History II: From 1500 to Present | 3 units |
| List B: Select 1 course from each area below, 6 unit minimum Area 1: 3 Units (if not in LIST A) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 104 | World History I | 3 units |
| HIST 106 | World History II: From 1500 to Present | 3 units |
| HIST 260 | Women In American History | 3 units |
| HIST 261 | Women in American History I | 3 units |
| HIST 262 | Women in American History II | 3 units |
| Area 2: 3 Units Any course not used in LIST A | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 310 | California History | 3 units |
| POLS C1000 | Introduction to American Government and Politics | 3 units |
Total Required Major Units: 24
General Education: Completion of Cal-GETC (California General Education Transfer Curriculum)
Elective courses: Additional CSU or UC transferable courses needed to meet the minimum 60 CSU transferable unit requirement.
In addition to a career as a historian, career possibilities include researcher, public scholar, archivist, librarian, curator, museum work, lawyer, paralegal, writer, data analyst, product manager, demographer/statistician, journalist, historic preservation, business, historic tourism, civil service, foreign service, editor, educator, business consultant, or any profession that requires critical thinking and excellent research skills.
Students completing this program will be able to:
- Evaluate the evidence, ideas, and models needed to perceive how people(s) have related to each other in specific historical contexts and over discrete periods of time.
- Read, write, and speak critically, mastering how to make informed historical judgments based on primary and secondary evidence.
- Comprehend the historical and social context of major political, intellectual, religious, economic, and cultural developments in the area/time relevant to the course.
The San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley (SMCSV) offer more than 50 institutional scholarships each year, and all enrolled students are eligible to apply. Award amounts range from $300 to $7,000, helping make college more affordable. Students can also apply for external scholarships, such as the $1,000 Study in California Scholarship, to further support their educational journey.