It depends on the specific college and program requirements.
Detailed response question
The requirement for a history class in college varies depending on the institution and program. In some cases, a history class may be required as part of a general education requirement, while in other cases it may be required for a specific major or degree program.
According to a survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 85 percent of four-year degree-granting institutions require students to take a history course as part of their general education requirements.
However, some colleges may offer alternative options such as courses in social sciences or a humanities course. Furthermore, students may be able to test out of a history class if they have previously studied the subject in high school.
As stated by Martin Luther King Jr, “We are not makers of history. We are made by history.”
Interesting facts about history classes in college:
- The study of history can provide valuable skills for future careers such as critical thinking, research, and communication.
- History classes cover a wide range of topics including world history, American history, and cultural studies.
- Many colleges offer unique courses in history such as “The History of Food” or “The History of Rock and Roll”.
- Some colleges may require a specific history class for certain majors or degree programs such as a course on Industrial Revolution for an engineering major.
- A table showing the percentage of colleges and universities in the United States that require history courses for general education requirements can be found below:
| Type of Institution | Percent Requiring History Course |
|---|---|
| Four-Year Public | 89% |
| Four-Year Private | 83% |
| Two-Year Public | 77% |
| Two-Year Private | 57% |
See related video
In “History Class, Smith College Style”, students participate in a mock labor rally exercise where they passionately discuss socialism, anarchy, and the suffragette movement. Some students advocate for a revolutionary approach instead of using current political systems to effect change, while others argue for the importance of working within existing systems. The suffragette movement is presented as just one part of the broader labor movement that seeks to address wider issues of inequality and exploitation.
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Before colleges and universities offered majors and minors, all students took the same courses — a type of curriculum called a "liberal education." Today, all undergraduates must spend time studying literature, history, philosophy, and other liberal arts subjects through general education requirements.
Regardless of your major, your college will require that you complete the Gen-Ed (General Education) requirements. History is typically one of the courses you’re required to take, so I’d advise that you clear the subject as early as possible.
For students either majoring in history or completing the general education portion of their degree, at least one history course will most likely be required.
Some of these mandatory college courses include the core classes, such as math, science and history, and you may be required to take public speaking, freshman seminar and of course the mandatory prerequisites for your major.
The coursework of a history major introduces students to the many colorful cultures of the world and the ways in which historical civilizations are relevant to modern culture. History degree programs require students to complete several hours of both general education and core history coursework.
Depends on the college and the degree you’re pursuing.
Most students have to take at least 2 courses- somewhere between 6–8 credit hours.
For STEM students and others, that’s usually it.
I believe Business students also take the standard 2 courses, but some (like Economics majors) might take 3–4.
Political Science and government majors likely need 4–6 courses or even more.
History majors? Yep, lots of history.
People are also interested
Do colleges require a US history class?
Again, there is no hard and fast rule. Still, most colleges want you to have taken at least 2 standard history courses: American/US history. World history or European history.
Why is history required in college?
In reply to that: Studying history helps us understand and grapple with complex questions and dilemmas by examining how the past has shaped (and continues to shape) global, national, and local relationships between societies and people.
Is history a subject in college?
Answer will be: Like other liberal arts degrees, studying history gives students communication and critical thinking skills that can be applied to a variety of careers. With a bachelor’s degree, history majors might work as policy analysts, editors or paralegals, to name a few possibilities.
What do you do in a college history class?
The reply will be: Includes instruction in historiography; historical research methods; studies of specific periods, issues and cultures; and applications to areas such as historic preservation, public policy, and records administration.
Do history majors need to take a course in US history?
A recent study shows that most colleges do not require history majors to take a course in U.S. history—findings that have been met with backlash from some and nonchalance from others.
What are the high school history classes like?
Answer to this: At the high school level, the history classes are grouped under the subject of Social Sciences and are spread throughout the span of 4 years. Particularly, students must pick up U.S. History in their 9th Grade (Freshman year) and World History in their 10th Grade (Sophomore), with some high schools offering European History classes.
How do I decide which history class to take in college?
Since there are a few history classes to choose from, you might find it hard to decide which history class to take in college. Craft a well-balanced schedule. Make sure to meet the Gen-Ed requirements. Follow your passion and interest. Decide according to their relevance to your future career. Consult your advisors.
How is college history different from high school?
Response: College history classes are broken down into several units. The pace is much quicker than in high school. There are both mandatory and elective courses often held in large lecture halls. Testing is held at the end of the semester, differing from high school which tests at the end of each unit.
Do history majors need to take a course in US history?
The response is: A recent study shows that most colleges do not require history majors to take a course in U.S. history—findings that have been met with backlash from some and nonchalance from others.
Why should you take a history class?
As a result, history classes help students to cultivate flexibility and a willingness to change their minds as they go about solving problems in whatever field they ultimately choose. Performance in history courses can also be a good indicator of a student’s overall ability to succeed in college.
How difficult are history classes?
The difficulty of the history classes will also greatly vary depending on the college you’re attending. If you’ve had the opportunity to undergo AP (Advanced Placement) history classes before, you’re likely to be able to cope with most of the more advanced history courses offered by your college.
How do I decide which history class to take in college?
Response: Since there are a few history classes to choose from, you might find it hard to decide which history class to take in college. Craft a well-balanced schedule. Make sure to meet the Gen-Ed requirements. Follow your passion and interest. Decide according to their relevance to your future career. Consult your advisors.