Major map compass icon
2021-2022

History, Bachelor of Arts

VCU

Community college:
Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts (Northern Virginia Community College)
Northern Virginia Community College
Northern Virginia Community College
Program description

The Bachelor of Arts in History requires a minimum of 120 credits, with at least 36 of those credits in history. Students must complete HIST 300 with a minimum grade of C prior to enrolling in more than six credits of 300- or 400-level history courses. The history curriculum exposes students to a multidimensional analysis of the human past. Knowledge gained through such analysis not only has the intrinsic appeal of any disciplined intellectual inquiry, but also constitutes an indispensable basis for active citizenship and for critical thinking about the society in which the student lives. Historical training at the undergraduate level leads to personal and social awareness within the rich tradition of the liberal arts. It also provides students an ideal preparation for a wide range of careers and further professional study. Students in the program can take advantage of a wide range of courses with thematic, topical, national or chronological emphases to fulfill requirements and electives. Capstone options in the major include an in-depth, hands-on research course, or an internship with an historical organization.  Students should consult with their advisers each semester to design a program that meets these requirements and suits their interests and career objectives.

Career opportunities
An undergraduate degree in history is good preparation for a wide variety of careers, including in public history, law, public administration, education, not-for-profit management, or business (including sales, marketing, and administration), as well as for graduate study in History. Students in History who take the appropriate coursework in the sciences also go on successfully to graduate programs in medicine. History undergraduate students would do well to seek leadership roles in school or community organizations, and to gain experience in the fundraising and grant writing techniques which support not-for-profit organizations. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are imperative for most careers related to history, politics, or government administration. Part-time and summer jobs, internships, and volunteer positions are critical to gaining the experience and skills that employers seek.
Bachelor-level job titles
  • Audio-Visual and Multimedia Collections Specialist   
  • Film and Video Editor
  • Library Technician
  • Museum Technician and Conservator  
  • Park Naturalist  
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Recreation Worker
  • Research Assistant
  • Secondary School Teacher
  • Social and Human Services Assistant 
  • Staff and Legislative Assistant  
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Archivist
  • Attorney
  • College Professor
  • Museum Director
Contact information

 

VCU Transfer Center

Telephone: (804) 827-1349

Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu

Transfer Advising Request

VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist


Office of Admissions

Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638

Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.

Guaranteed transfer admission requirements

Completion of associate degree
Minimum GPA of 2.5
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better

Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Highest level of math required
  • Quantitative Foundations requirement only
Science required
  • Natural Sciences requirement only
Foreign language requirements
  • Yes
Additional tuition/fees
  • No
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.0

Transfer major map
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2021-2022

History, Bachelor of Arts

Northern Virginia Community College (Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts)

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Meet with your academic advisor or counselor each semester.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Register for SDV 100 or SDV 101.
  • Use Navigate to connect with your advisor and create a program plan.
  • Attend cultural events at NOVA and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
  • Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile.
  • Browse careers related to History through the NOVA career planning system
Experience Year 2
  • Complete requirements for the associate’s degree. Earn at least a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Meet with your academic advisor or counselor.
  • Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
  • If interested, attend a talk or other event sponsored by the VCU History Department.
  • Research housing in Richmond for next year.
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options at VCU.
  • If interested, attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or History-related events.
  • Continue learning a foreign language, or make a plan for undertaking that study at VCU.
  • Become familiar with OMSA at VCU.
  • Speak with employers that visit campus throughout the year.
  • Plan to complete at least two job experiences (e.g., internships) before your senior year of college.
  • Create a resume.
  • Find out about VCU REAL and learn about REAL graduation requirement.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Meet with your academic advisor or counselor each semester.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Register for SDV 100 or SDV 101.
  • Use Navigate to connect with your advisor and create a program plan.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend cultural events at NOVA and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile.
  • Browse careers related to History through the NOVA career planning system
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Complete requirements for the associate’s degree. Earn at least a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Meet with your academic advisor or counselor.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Visit the VCU campus and attend a transfer admission session.
  • If interested, attend a talk or other event sponsored by the VCU History Department.
  • Research housing in Richmond for next year.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options at VCU.
  • If interested, attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or History-related events.
  • Continue learning a foreign language, or make a plan for undertaking that study at VCU.
  • Become familiar with OMSA at VCU.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Speak with employers that visit campus throughout the year.
  • Plan to complete at least two job experiences (e.g., internships) before your senior year of college.
  • Create a resume.
  • Find out about VCU REAL and learn about REAL graduation requirement.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.

Recommended courses
Major map compass icon
2021-2022

History, Bachelor of Arts

Northern Virginia Community College (Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts)

Northern Virginia Community College courses
Course Title Equivalent course Credits Requirements
SDV 100 (or SDV 101) College Success Skills UNIV 101 1 Elective
ENG 111 College Composition I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENG 112 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. UNIV 111-112 3 General education
CST Elective Select 1: CST 100 Principles of Public Speaking OR CST 110 Introduction to Communication OR CST 126 Interpersonal Communication SPCH 121 3 Elective
World Language 101 World Language (101-Level) OR ASL 101 - or general education elective if placed out of the 101-level. Note: The foreign language requirement at VCU can be waived for students who have completed 3 or more years of a language at high school. Students who are concerned about the foreign language requirement should discuss other associate degree options with their community college advisor. VCU Equivalent 3 to 4 General education
MTH 154 Quantitative Reasoning MATH 131 3 General education
ENG 112 College Composition  II UNIV 200 3 General education
World Language 102 World Language (102-Level) OR ASL 102 - or general education elective if placed out of the 102-level VCU Equivalent 3 to 5 General education
MTH 245 Statistics I STAT 210 3 General education
Physical or Life Science Elective w/ Lab Select 1: BIO 101 General Biology I OR CHM 101 Introductory Chemistry I OR GOL 105 Physical Geology OR PHY 101 Introduction to Physics I OR PHY 150 Elements of Astronomy VCU equivalent 4 General education
English Literature Elective Select 1: ENG 241 Survey of American Literature I OR ENG 242 Survey of American Literature II OR ENG 243 Survey of English Literature I OR ENG 244 Survey of English Literature II OR ENG 251 Survey of World Literature I OR ENG 252 Survey of World Literature II ENGL 3 Elective
World Language 201 World Language (201-level) OR ASL 201 - or general education elective if placed out of the 201-level VCU Equivalent 3 to 4 Elective
HIS Elective Select 1: HIS 101, 102, 121, or 122 HIST 101 3 Major
Physical or Life Science Elective w/ Lab Select 1: BIO 101 General Biology I OR BIO 102 General Biology II OR CHM 101 Introductory Chemistry I OR CHM 102 Introductory Chemistry II OR GOL 105 Physical Geology OR GOL 106 Historical Geology OR PHY 101 Introduction to Physics I OR PHY 102 Introduction to Physics II OR PHY 150 Elements of Astronomy VCU equivalent 4 General education
Social/Behavioral Science Elective Select 1: PLS 135 American National Politics OR PLS 211 United States Government I VCU equivalent 3 Elective
World Language 202 World Language (202-Level) OR ASL 202 - or general education elective if placed out of the 202-level VCU Equivalent 3 to 4 Elective
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Select 1: ART 101 History and Appreciation of Art I OR ART 102 History and Appreciation of Art II OR CST 151 Film Appreciation OR MUS 121 Music Appreciation I OR PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy I OR REL 231 Religions of the World I VCU equivalent 3 General education
HUM 298 Seminar and Project Liberal Arts HUMS 2XX 1 Elective
Open Elective Select 1: HIS 101, 102, 121, or 122 HIST 3 Major
Social/Behavioral Science Elective Select 1: HIS 101, 102, 121, or 122 HIST 3 Major
HIS Elective Select 1: HIS 203 History of African Civilization I OR HIS 231 History of Latin American Civilizations I OR HIS 232 History of Latin American Civilizations II OR HIS 251 History of Middle East Civilization I OR HIS 253 History of Asian Civilizations I OR HIS 254 History of Asian Civilizations II HIST ___ 3 Major
Open Elective PLS 241 International Relations I (Note: this elective is NOT needed if World Languages total more than 15 credits. Students interested in high school teaching should select PLS 241.) POLI 105 3 General education
Northern Virginia Credits Transferred to VCU 60 to 62
VCU courses
Course Title Credits Requirements
HIST 300 Introduction to Historical Study 3 Major
HIST 493 or HIST 490 Internship (capstone) or Seminar in History 2 to 4 Major
HIST ___ Upper-level HIST classes (HIST 300-499, except for HIST 490 or 493); see VCU advisor for assistance on course selection. Note: Major requires at least six credits from each of three areas (may be satisfied by 100-level and 300-level HIST courses chosen above): a) Europe, b) United States, and c) Africa, Asia, Latin America or the Middle East. 18 Major
Upper-level electives (300- or 400-level courses): consider a minor or a second major Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits to graduate from VCU. 20 to 22 Elective
Open electives 12 to 15 Elective
Credits Completed at VCU 58 to 60
Bachelor's degree total 120