BA in History
Adrian, USA
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: Siena Heights University’s BA in History offers small classes (15–20 students) and blended learning with lectures, video and web-based presentations. The interdisciplinary programme links history, social studies, and social science (political science, economics, geography). You’ll complete a senior research project and work with faculty mentors; student groups include Mu Lambda and T.E.A.C.H. Keywords: historiography, archival research, civic education, history.
Career Outcomes: Graduates move into roles across public history, education, research and policy. Typical careers include: Archaeologist; Civil Service (National Park Service); Foreign Service; Journalist; Librarian; Political Leader; Public Historian; Teacher. Other options: archivist, museum educator, policy analyst, heritage manager.
History, Social Studies, and Social Science students at Siena Heights experience a variety of classroom and extracurricular learning opportunities. Class size is typically 15-20 students, enabling students to develop effective discussion skills. Students learn from video and web-based presentations as well as instructor lectures, classroom activities, and other learning adventures.
The study of History and the Social Sciences is the study of people and ideas, of events shaped by them and shaping them, and of concurrent conflicts and movements. These two majors are interchangeable, with History using tools from the Social Sciences to examine and interpret the meaning and significance of events, ideas, and movements, and Social Sciences using Historical Cases for political, economic, or geographic analysis in Political Science, Economics, or Geography courses.
The study of History and the Social Sciences is also a way of learning how to see issues from different points of view, how to evaluate situations, and solve problems from the past and in the present. History is both stories and their analysis to better explain our past and present. Social Studies Education students choose classes from both History and the Social Sciences along with classes from the Education program.
Fast Fact
History and Social Science are research-based studies using transferable skills for living and working and building the future. To complete either a History or Social Science major, students present a senior research project demonstrating both research and content proficiency.
Program Distinctions
- An interdisciplinary approach to the study of history, social studies, and social science;
- Diachronic and thematic teaching approaches by professors with a wide breadth of knowledge;
- Faculty mentors who work closely with students to reach their career goals.
Clubs And Organizations
Mu Lambda is the History/Social Science/Social Studies Education local Honor Society which recognizes both academic accomplishment and significant involvement in a wide range of community endeavors. Students who meet honors criteria can be nominated to pledge membership status upon completion of 24 semester hours of SHU coursework. Full membership status is reserved for graduating seniors who meet the criteria.
The Teacher Education Association for Community Help (T.E.A.C.H.) is an organization dedicated to reach out and help learners of the community who are in need, by providing supplies, support, and resources to enhance one’s education.
Did you know that approximately 90 percent of undergraduate students on the Adrian campus receive some form of financial assistance? Our admissions counselors and financial aid experts are committed to helping you find the best financial solutions for your education. Siena offers a wide range of opportunities that may be right for you, including:
- Academic scholarships
- Arts scholarships
- Athletic scholarships
- Campus Ministry scholarships
- Grants
- Work-study programs
- Federal loans
Your university financial aid package may include some or all of the above, resulting in a customized plan that makes Siena Heights University affordable for your family.
Museum Studies Certificate
Course Requirements for Certificate: 12 semester hours
Required courses
- ENG 435 Visual Culture: 3
- HIS 220 Museum Studies & Collections: 3
- HIS 480 Internship: 3
- MKT 320 Marketing the Arts: 3
Elective Courses: Choose one (1) of the following: 3 semester hours
- ARH 330 American Art History
- ARH 445 History of Photography
- ART 147 Introduction to Graphic Design
- ART 348 Publication Design
- HIS 211 U.S. History
- SOC 113 Cultural Anthropology
Total for Certificate: 15 semester hours
Course Requirements for Major
Program Requirements: 30 Credit Hours
- HIS 111 World Civilizations Since 1500 3 credit hours
- HIS 140 World Civilizations Before 1500 3 credit hours
- HIS 210 U.S. History to 1877 3 credit hours
- HIS 211 U.S. History from 1865 to the Present 3 credit hours
- HIS 300 Michigan History 3 credit hours
- HIS 340 Historiography And Methodology 3 credit hours
- HIS 495 Senior Seminar 3 credit hours
- HIS Approved Electives 9 credit hours (9 s.h. at 200+ level; 3 s.h. in each European, U.S., and Non Western/Global)
Cognate Requirements: 12 Credit Hours
- GEO 301 Cultural Geography I 3 credit hours
- GEO 302 Cultural Geography II 3 credit hours
- World Language 6 credit hours
Total for Major: 42 Credit Hours
Liberal Arts: 32 Credit Hours
General Electives: 40 Credit Hours
Total for Degree: 120 Credit Hours
Other Requirements
- No grade below a 2.0 g.p.a. in the major.
History and the Social Sciences are general degrees emphasizing transferable skills as well as specific curriculum content. The student with a major or minor in History or the Social Sciences is prepared for a broad array of career options as well as has the transitioning skills necessary for success in our rapidly changing 21st-century world.
Typical careers chosen by History and Social Science graduates include:
- Archaeologist
- Civil Service (including National Park Service)
- Foreign Service
- Journalist
- Librarian
- Political Leader
- Public Historian (museums, historical theme parks, local history projects)
- Teacher
