History (BA)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2026-Spring 2027 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Arts in History 
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (AS)
Department: History 
Academic Plan Code(s): See Track Requirements tab.

Completion of this degree requires work to be submitted for the department’s Learning Outcomes Measurement. For details, contact the department.

Program Information

The University of Louisville Department of History offers a comprehensive undergraduate program. Our course offerings include an extensive array of classes covering American, South American, European, African, South Asian, and Asian history. Courses are taught by an internationally recognized faculty.  Students who choose to pursue a history major or minor receive extensive, one-on-one advising with the department's faculty.

Completion of this degree requires work to be submitted for the department’s Learning Outcomes Measurement. For details, contact the department.

Degree Summary

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Some credit hours from the General Education Requirements may be satisfied by courses defined by the program, in which case additional electives will be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree. See the Degree Requirements tab for specific coursework.

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Soaring Scholars (Accelerated BA/MA) Program

Undergraduate History majors who are thinking about pursuing a master’s degree (MA) in History can speed up the process by applying some of their undergraduate credit hours toward a master's degree.  Students accepted into the Soaring Scholars Program take three graduate-level courses (9 credit hours) in their final year of undergrad that apply toward both the bachelor’s degree and the eventual master's degree.  

Undergraduate students interested in participating in an accelerated dual bachelor's/master's degree offered through the university's Soaring Scholar Program must first meet with their Academic Advisor and the department's Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and be accepted into the program. Once accepted, students will receive an official admission letter outlining program policies and details. They will then work with their Academic Advisor and the DGS to register for classes each semester, ensuring they meet the milestones and academic progress requirements of the Soaring Scholars Program. A Soaring Scholar student is considered an undergraduate student until their bachelor's degree is conferred. In their final undergraduate semester, they are expected to apply for admission to their respective master's program.

Departmental Admission Requirements

Admission to the BA in History requires a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on courses in the major. 

The Change Major Request form can be found under the Academic Progress tile on ULink.

Soaring Scholar (Accelerated BA/MA) Program - Admission requirements

Interested students should apply for entry into the accelerated program in Spring of their Junior year (i.e. once they have completed 60-90 hours of undergraduate coursework, including at least 18 credit hours in History). Before applying, students should meet with their Academic Advisor and the History Department's Director of Graduate Studies to ensure they meet eligibility criteria.

Applicants to the Soaring Scholars Program in History should:

1. Have accrued 60-90 undergraduate credit hours.

2. Have accrued at least 18 undergraduate credit hours in History, ideally including HIST 304 Research Methods.

3. Have at least a 3.35 grade point average (GPA), both overall and in History. 

4. Submit the following application materials:

• online application form
• personal statement (1000 words max)
• 1 letter of recommendation from a faculty member, plus the name of a second faculty member who is willing to serve as a reference
• writing sample (15 pages max)

General Education Requirements

*All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above).  Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

College/School Requirements

Program/Major Requirements

At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above.

Once a student has declared a History major, the student must enroll in HIST 304 as 3 of the next 12 History credit hours.  A grade of C or better must be earned in HIST 304.

Six hours of required 500-level history courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.

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Completion of the intermediate level of a single foreign language

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In addition to courses counted toward General Education; 6 hours must be at 300 level or above

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May be incorporated into other degree requirements

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Courses numbered HIST 310, HIST 410, HIST 498, HIST 499, HIST 501, HIST 502, HIST 503 and HIST 540 may at times also fulfill area requirements; consult History Department

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Students who satisfy General Education Requirements by courses defined by the program will require additional electives to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

Tracks

Non-Track History BA

Academic Plan Code(s): HIST_BA

Track in Public History (launching Spring 2027)

Academic Plan Code(s): HIST_BAPH

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Requires completion of HIST 304 to enroll.

With approval from the student's Academic Advisor and the department's Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), successful applicants will identify up to 9 credit hours at the 500-600 level to count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree. These may count as elective credits toward the undergraduate degree or, depending on the course, they may be used to meet the Culminating Undergraduate Experience requirement.

Flight Plan

Non-Track History BA

*Soaring Scholars Program: students admitted to the Soaring Scholars program will follow the standard undergraduate Flight Plan for years 1-3. In year 4, they will have the option of dual-counting HIST 504, 505, and/or certain electives taken at the 500-/600-level (up to 9 credit hours total). 

Track in Public History

 *Soaring Scholars Program: students admitted to the Soaring Scholars program will follow the standard undergraduate Flight Plan for years 1-3. In year 4, they will have the option of dual-counting HIST 504, 505, and/or certain electives taken at the 500-/600-level (up to 9 credit hours total). 

The Flight Plan outlined above is intended to demonstrate one possible path to completing the degree within four years.  Course selection and placement within the program may vary depending on course offerings and schedule, elective preferences, and other factors (study abroad, internship availability, etc.). Please consult your advisor for additional information about building a flight plan that works for you.

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan, and which requirements are still outstanding. Degree audits also take transfer credits and test credits into account. "What-if" reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

To create these reports:

1. Log into your ULink account.
2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
3. Select the appropriate report.
   1. To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
   2. To create a What-if report, click on "What-if Advisement Report."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report or create a What-if report.