Undergraduate Studies
Interested in the History major? Some basic information on what it involves: The major requires you to complete 33 semester hours in History classes, including a two-semester sequence in World or Western Civilization and a two-semester American History survey. The program tries to ensure that students who graduate with an LSU degree in History are not too overly specialized, by requiring that at least one upper-level class (three semester hours) should come from outside the student’s primary area of interest (in other words, you may not take all of your upper-division classes in U.S. History, in European History, or in the history of non-Western Developing Nations).
The full requirements for the History major, along with a suggested program of study, are listed in the LSU Course Catalog.
A minor in history requires a total of at least 18 hours, including any two-semester six-hour course sequence at the 1000 or 2000 level; three courses at the 3000 or 4000 level; and one additional three hour course in history.
Teaching High School
If you want to teach High School: The Department has developed a very successful program to train History majors who intend to pursue a career teaching History and Social Studies in public high schools. The major in History with a Concentration in Secondary Education, or “GeauxTeach” program, works in cooperation with the College of Education, and has produced graduates who have become highly sought-after as teachers in Louisiana schools (see a partial list). For prerequisites and program requirements, visit GeauxTeach. Or you may contact Prof. Zevi Gutfreund, the faculty advisor for the concentration.
Scholarships
The Department of History offers five scholarships to its majors who are sophomores or juniors. Students may submit applications in the spring for scholarships that are awarded in the next academic year. For additional information, contact our undergraduate advisor.
Resources
The department also offers undergraduate seminars, independent study with individual professors, opportunity for study abroad, and an honors program in association with the Honors College. Many of the department’s course offerings are cross-listed with those of departments such as Economics, Philosophy and Religious Studies, English, Military Science, and the programs in African and African-American Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies. It is also possible to minor in history while pursuing a major in another field by taking at least 18 hours of course work in History.
Student Organizations
Students are encouraged to apply to join the LSU chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the International Honor Society in History, which meets in conjunction with the "History Club" or Society for Student Historians. They may also qualify for Phi Beta Kappa or Pi Kappa Phi.
A useful link for current Undergraduates: If you are thinking of applying to study history at the Graduate level, either at LSU or elsewhere, you will probably be asked to write a Statement of Purpose. For some general guidance on what pitfalls to avoid in writing one, check this recent blog post by historian Thomas Kidd: How to Write an Excellent Statement of Purpose