History: Social Science: History Teaching, BALAS

For the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in History, History Teaching Concentration


This concentration fulfills state licensure requirements to teach high school history (grades 9-12) through the AP/honors level and high school economics, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology/anthropology up to but not including the AP/honors level.

Time to degree completion varies. Minimum time to completion is 8 semesters, but some students may require 10 semesters. Transfer students may need 10 total semesters combined to complete the program. Please see the LAS section in the transfer handbook for more information.

For the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in History, History Teaching Concentration


This concentration fulfills state licensure requirements to teach high school history (grades 9-12) through the AP/honors level and high school economics, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology/anthropology up to but not including the AP/honors level.

Time to degree completion varies, but when following the new requirements effective Fall 2020, the expected completion time is 8 semesters. Transfer students may need 10 total semesters combined to complete the program. Please see the LAS section in the transfer handbook for more information. 

To remain in good standing in this program and be recommended for licensure, candidates are required to maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 (A= 4.0).

Departmental distinction: To be eligible for distinction, a student must be admitted to the Honors Program in History and complete its required coursework. Those admitted (ideally before the beginning of the junior year) must have earned at least a 3.5 GPA in History and a 3.25 GPA overall. They will then pursue a sequence consisting of HIST 498, HIST 492 and successful completion of either

  1. HIST 493 and HIST 499 in two consecutive semesters (in which case, the level of distinction awarded to student will be decided by the examining committee) OR
  2. The completion of two approved independent research projects under the supervision of two different advisors (HIST 490) (in which case, students will be eligible for an award of distinction only, but not high or highest distinction).

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

Minimum hours required major and supporting course work: Students are required to take a minimum of 33 hours in History courses. Only one of the following Advanced Composition courses (HIST 140, HIST 143, HIST 170, HIST 173) will count toward the 33 hours required in History courses. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

Students in this concentration must complete the Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching (39 hours).

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
fulfilled by HIST 498, EDUC 202
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
fulfilled by HIST 100
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
fulfilled by EDUC 201
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
fulfilled by HIST 140 or HIST 141 and HIST 142 or HIST 143
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English, or completion of the third semester in two different languages other than English is required)0-20

Major Requirements

Foundation Courses
The following courses must be completed or in progress when students apply to the Secondary Education minor.
Select one of the following Political Science courses: 3
Intro to Political Science
Intro to US Gov & Pol
Intro to Comp Politics
Comparative Politics in the Global South
PSYC 100Intro Psych4
SOC 100Introduction to Sociology4
HIST 200Intro Hist Interpretation3
Select one course each from two of the following three categories: 6-8
Global History
Global History
Western Civilization
Western Worlds: Ancient and Medieval Societies from the Mediterranean to N. Europe (ACP)
Western Worlds: Ancient and Medieval Societies from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe
Modern Europe and the World
Modern Europe and the World - ACP
United States History
US History to 1877-ACP
US History to 1877
US History Since 1877
US History Since 1877-ACP
Black America, 1619-Present
Additional Required coursework
Teacher Education Minor in Secondary School Teaching39
United States History
Select one of the following (A US History survey course if not taken as a foundation course):3-4
US History to 1877-ACP
US History to 1877
US History Since 1877
US History Since 1877-ACP
Black America, 1619-Present
One 100-400 level course in US history3
One 100-400 level course in US history focusing on US minorities history3
HIST 273Illinois History3
or HIST 288 American Indians of Illinois
or HIST 382 Race and Migration in Chicago
Nonwestern and Global History
HIST 100Global History (if not taken as a foundation course)3
One 100-400 level course in global or nonwestern history3
One 100-400 level course in global or nonwestern history3
European History
Select one of the following (A Western Civ survey course if not taken as a foundation course):3-4
Western Worlds: Ancient and Medieval Societies from the Mediterranean to N. Europe (ACP)
Western Worlds: Ancient and Medieval Societies from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe
Modern Europe and the World
Modern Europe and the World - ACP
One 100-400 level course in European history 3
One 100-400 level course in European History 3
Students must take HIST 498 - Research and Writing Seminar. Students may count the 3 hours towards any of the history areas noted above: US, Nonwestern/Global, or European.
Students must complete 12 hours of advanced (300+) coursework in History. HIST 498 may count toward those 12 hours.
Pre modern requirement: One History course must have a significant pre-1800 component.
Social Science Requirement
ECON 102Microeconomic Principles3
or ECON 103 Macroeconomic Principles
One 100-400 level Geography course 3-4

For the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in History, History Teaching Concentration


Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Free elective course1PS course from list3
HIST 2003PSYC 1004
HIST 1003ECON 102 or 1033
Language Other than English (3rd level)4Language Other than English (4th level)4
Composition I or General Education course (choose a NST course with QR designation)4General Education course (choose a NST course with QR designation) or Composition I3
 15 17
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
SOC 1004Course 2 from category list3
Course 1 from category list3U.S. History survey course from list4
European history 100-400 level course3European history 100-400 level course3
EDUC 2013Geography 100-400 level course3
EPSY 2013EDUC 2023
 16 16
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
U.S. history 100-400 level course3U.S. minorities history 100-400 level course3
HIST 273 (or HIST 288 or HIST 382)3Global or nonwestern history 100-400 level course3
Global or nonwestern history 100-400 level course3Western Civilization survey course from list4
General Education course (choose a NST course with QR designation)3CI 4733
 CI 4013
 12 16
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
HIST 4983EDPR 44212
SPED 4053CI 4043
CI 4033 
EPSY 4853 
Free elective course1 
 13 15
Total Hours 120

For the Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in History, History Teaching Concentration


Department of History

History faculty
History advising

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences