To embrace the future, you must first understand the past.
“Those who don’t understand history are doomed to repeat it,” it’s said. Well, “those who don’t understand history” must not have been history majors at Cumberlands. At this university, we don’t limit our bachelor’s degree in history to merely studying politics and recounts of countries; much more lies beneath the surface, and we dig in! The small class sizes here give you a more involved and personable classroom experience, and our knowledgeable and caring faculty will help you choose the combination of courses that best support your goals and dreams.
You have the power to take the past, remold it in the present, and improve the future; no other degree can do what history program can. The world “way back when” may have the key to transforming the world we know today into one we can be proud to teach in the future. Not to mention, innumerable careers benefit from the skills you learn in a history degree program, giving you an advantage in your job search after college. Or, if you’d like to further your education, stepping into a graduate program is an easy transition.
By the Numbers
Programs & Requirements
* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.
To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog.
Bachelor of Science in History
Discover the fascinating past of America and the rest of the world! With a Bachelor of Arts in history, you will embark on an adventure to reveal the secrets of people from the past and learn to apply it to make a better future. From the U.S. to the U.K. to the rest of the world, an informed understanding of the culture and power dynamic of different continents is vital to create a future that’s worthwhile. With the knowledge of what happened in years prior, you can forge a new path in life. In your history classes at Cumberlands, you will research wars, influential people, cultural eras and how they impacted the population, and much more!
Course Requirements
HIST 131 United States History to 1877
HIST 132 United States History since 1877
HIST 137 World Civilization to 1648
HIST 138 World Civilization since 1648
HIST 224 Research Mechanics
HIST 225 Research Composition
HIST 490 Senior Research Capstone
HIST 334 Intermediate Studies in Early American History
HIST 335 Intermediate Studies in Modern American History
HIST 336 Intermediate Studies in European History
HIST 337 Intermediate Studies in Military History
At least 3 credit hours (one class) must be either Intermediate Early American or Intermediate Modern American History.
HIST 431 Advanced Studies in Early American History
HIST 432 Advanced Studies in Modern American History
HIST 433 Advanced Studies in European History
HIST 434 Advanced Studies in Military History
At least 3 credit hours (one class) must be either Advanced Early American or Advanced Modern American History.
A Bachelor of Arts requires all the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of four classes (12 hours) in a foreign language.
Choose one foreign language sequence:
FREN 131 Elementary French I
FREN 132 Elementary French II
FREN 231 Intermediate French I
FREN 232 Intermediate French II
SPAN 131 Elementary Spanish I
SPAN 132 Elementary Spanish II
SPAN 231 Intermediate Spanish I
SPAN 232 Intermediate Spanish II
Minor in History
Have you always liked learning about history but wrestled with whether you should turn it into your career or not? Good news: University of the Cumberlands offers the perfect balance so you can learn more about what you love while still pursuing a different degree. When you minor in history, you open the doors for valuable and marketable information to add to your repertoire, all while you chase after your other dreams.
Course Requirements
HIST 131 United States History to 1877
HIST 132 United States History since 1877
HIST 137 World Civilization to 1648
HIST 138 World Civilization since 1648
Choose two courses from the following:
HIST 334 Intermediate Studies in Early American History
HIST 335 Intermediate Studies in Modern American History
HIST 336 Intermediate Studies in European History
HIST 337 Intermediate Studies in Military History
Choose two courses from the following:
HIST 431 Advanced Studies in Early American History
HIST 432 Advanced Studies in Modern American History
HIST 433 Advanced Studies in European History
HIST 434 Advanced Studies in Military History
Bachelor of Science with a Major in History & Political Science
Interested in politics but still want to study history? UC's Bachelor of Science in History & Political Science offers you the best of both worlds. No need to double major when we've got everything you need in one degree! Explore the depths of U.S. and world history and learn no navigate the future through a political lens! With classes that dive into the expanse of government and powers, you will equip yourself with a well of invaluable knowledge that you can use in your personal as well as your professional life! Learn about the past, and acquire the skills needed to change the future!
Course Requirements
HIST 131 United States History to 1877
HIST 132 United States History since 1877
HIST 137 World Civilization to 1648
HIST 138 World Civilization since 1648
HIST 224 Research Mechanics
HIST 225 Research Composition
POLS 131 Introduction to Political Science
POLS 233 American National Government
POLS 235 Introduction to International Relations
POLS 490 Senior Research Capstone
OR
HIST 490 Senior Research Capstone
Choose two courses from the following:
HIST 334 Intermediate Studies in Early American History
HIST 335 Intermediate Studies in Modern American History
HIST 336 Intermediate Studies in European History
HIST 337 Intermediate Studies in Military History
All electives must be at the 300 or 400 level and lie within the Department of History or the Department of Political Science.
Bachelor of Arts with a Major in History & Political Science
Become a triple threat in the political sphere by studying history, politics, and language all at once! With one degree, you will become a highly sought-after expert in all things history and culture. By combining your knowledge of history and politics with a foreign language through the intermediate level, you open doors for successful careers no matter where you venture.
Course Requirements
HIST 131 United States History to 1877
HIST 132 United States History since 1877
HIST 137 World Civilization to 1648
HIST 138 World Civilization since 1648
HIST 224 Research Mechanics
HIST 225 Research Composition
POLS 131 Introduction to Political Science
POLS 233 American National Government
POLS 235 Introduction to International Relations
POLS 490 Senior Research Capstone
OR
HIST 490 Senior Research Capstone
Choose two courses from the following:
HIST 334 Intermediate Studies in Early American History
HIST 335 Intermediate Studies in Modern American History
HIST 336 Intermediate Studies in European History
HIST 337 Intermediate Studies in Military History
All electives must be at the 300 or 400 level and lie within the Department of History or the Department of Political Science.
Complete 12 credit hours of one foreign language sequence.
FREN 131 Elementary French I
FREN 132 Elementary French II
FREN 231 Intermediate French I
FREN 232 Intermediate French II
SPAN 131 Elementary Spanish I
SPAN 132 Elementary Spanish II
SPAN 231 Intermediate Spanish I
SPAN 232 Intermediate Spanish II
Take the Next Step
Mission & Goals
The goal of the Department of History at UC is to guide you as you pursue the intellectual, spiritual, and social objectives of the university, while simultaneously gaining an understanding of historically relevant topics as they apply to the world today.
History Careers & Outcomes
*All statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics
Curator: $50,120
Curator: $50,120
Archivists appraise, process, catalog, and preserve permanent records and historically valuable documents. Curators oversee collections of artwork and historical items and may conduct public service activities for an institution. Museum technicians and conservators prepare and restore objects and documents in museum collections and exhibits.
High School Teacher: $61,820
High School Teacher: $61,820
High school teachers generally teach students from the 9th through 12th grades, specializing in an area such as math, science, or history. Some choose to teach a skill or even several different classes within a general subject area.
Historian: $63,940
Historian: $63,940
Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past by studying historical documents and sources.
Management Analysts: $93,000
Management Analysts: $93,000
Management analysts, often called management consultants, recommend ways to improve an organization’s efficiency. They advise managers on how to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues.
Archeologist: $61,910
Archeologist: $61,910
By drawing and building on knowledge from the humanities and the social, physical, and biological sciences, anthropologists and archeologists examine the ways of life, languages, archeological remains, and physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. They also examine the customs, values, and social patterns of different cultures.
Paralegal: $56,230
Paralegal: $56,230
Paralegals help lawyers prepare for hearings, trials, and corporate meetings. They use technology for managing and organizing the increasing number of documents and data collected during a case. They also help discover and organize materials such as emails, data, documents, accounting databases, and websites for cases and other legal pursuits.
Common Questions
Naturally, the history program at Cumberlands will teach you about past events that have shaped the present – both in the U.S. and around the world. But you will also learn important skills that will benefit you in work and in life, such as reading comprehension, communication, research, and analysis. Every workplace needs someone who can present their thoughts clearly, research relevant topics, and interpret company data to create action plans. With what you learn in a history degree program, that person could be you.
There are many history- and research-related careers out there, such as curating, teaching history (and/or political science), or working as an archivist or historian. But nearly every job benefits from workers who are able to comprehend complicated information, communicate well, and work in a team – just a few of the skills you would strengthen during your time as a history major at Cumberlands.
Absolutely! Many Cumberlands students major in two different academic programs. A history major can pair well with essentially any other major. With a required 38 credit hours, it is possible to double-major, so long as you have the time management skills to balance your coursework and personal life.
Our average on-campus undergraduate class size is 16 students, and online classes cap out at 30, so your classes will be small – meaning more individualized attention to your questions and thoughts. History classes focus heavily on reading comprehension, research, and class discussion.
Since a knowledge of the past is key to understanding the present and creating a better future, a history degree is inarguably relevant in life and in work, no matter what year it is. Companies don’t have to repeat past mistakes when their managers can interpret data from the past. Families can make better-informed decisions for their lives if a parent knows how to research. And nations always benefit when their politicians understand the history that brought current events into being. For these reasons and more, a degree in history can make a lasting positive difference.
All programs at University of the Cumberlands are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation. For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.
Faculty Experts in History and Political Science
Learn more about the professors you will interact with in the Department of History
Catherine Ball, JD
Catherine Ball, JD
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Dr. Charles Pilant
Dr. Charles Pilant
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Dr. Michael Spurlock
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Learn more about all that Cumberlands has to offer.