Bachelor of Arts in History
Lacey, USA
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jun 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 24,132 / per semester
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Saint Martin's University's history program consists of a critical examination of the world's peoples, places, and cultures in the past. Students studying history at Saint Martin's have the opportunity to work directly with our outstanding, award-winning faculty in close proximity to the Washington state capital, Olympia.
What to Expect at Saint Martin's
At Saint Martin’s, we believe that geographical, cultural, and temporal specializations are essential to the study of history, and, therefore, our program makes it possible for students to pursue concentrations in:
- United States history
- European history
- Non-Western history
We also offer courses in:
- African history
- Asian history
- Latin American history
- Middle Eastern history
Additional offerings include unique thematic and methodological courses, such as immigration, women's, and labor history, that complement the core courses.
Research and Internships
Saint Martin’s students have ample opportunity to display the skills they acquire at Saint Martin's by working as history interns on campus and in the wider community, as well as during the annual Saint Martin's Scholars' Day presentations and the public presentations of their senior capstone projects.
Internship opportunities include:
- Washington State Legislature
- Washington State Historical Society
- Simpson Timber Archive
- Historical associations throughout Washington
It is our expectation that graduates from the history program will have excellent oral and written communication skills. Developing these skills will help graduates from the history program secure professional positions as educators and in the field of public history.
Core Requirements
Visit the undergraduate academic catalog on our website for a complete breakdown of core (general) requirements for bachelor's degrees.
Upper-Division Courses
European Emphasis
- Three credit hours in American history (upper or lower-division)
- Three credit hours in the history of non-Western cultures (upper or lower-division)
- Nine upper-division credit hours in European History, including HIS 344 and HIS 347
- Nine credit hours in political science, six of which must be upper-division work
- Research Methods
- Senior Seminar/Paper
United States Emphasis
- Three credit hours in European history (upper or lower-division)
- Three credit hours in history on non-Western cultures (upper or lower-division)
- Nine upper-division credit hours in U.S. history, including six credit hours from HIS 356, HIS 357, HIS 358, or HIS 359
- Nine credit hours in political science, six of which must be upper-division work
- Research Methods
- Senior Seminar/Paper
Non-Western Emphasis
- Three credit hours in European history (upper or lower-division)
- Three credit hours in U.S. history (upper or lower-division)
- Nine credit hours of your choice from HIS 410, HIS 411, HIS 413, or HIS 415
- Nine credit hours in political science, six of which must be upper-division work
- Research Methods
- Senior Seminar/Paper
No more than six credit hours of internship credit may be applied toward requirements for a history major.
- Students will strive for academic excellence as demonstrated by research, critical analysis, and written and oral communication in the major areas of history and political science.
- Students will develop a systematic critical analysis of prevailing political ideals and the human experience over time and place.
- Students will demonstrate the historical and contemporary place of the commons in American and global society, and the need to defend them against private interests that seek to monopolize them in the interest of individual, rather than the common good.
- Students will develop knowledge of other cultures so as to tear down the barriers to creating a true world community.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts and theories in history.
- Students will use appropriate historical methods to identify, articulate, and critically evaluate political problems and their potential solutions.
- Students will develop critical thinking, reading, and writing skills.
- Education
- Law
- Journalism
- Business
- Government
- Social Justice
- Academic rigor prepares students for advanced study.
- Approximately 50 percent of graduates pursue advanced degrees. Saint Martin’s graduates have been accepted at such institutions as Seattle University, University of Arizona, University of Washington, and Willamette University.
- Each department faculty member has received the Saint Martin's Outstanding Faculty Award.