Bachelor of Arts Honors in History Degree Program Guide

As a History Honors student students can become part of a small cohort of students who share similar interests and talents. Take a special seminar just for students in History Honors where students research and write a major project that reflects your main historical interests while working closely with a faculty mentor. This is a fantastic opportunity to work closely with faculty members, set yourself up well for graduate school, and dive deeper into your studies than ever before.

History is the study of past worlds and how they have changed over time. It is a way of thinking about how and why past environments, societies, governments, and beliefs were different from and similar to our own. History is not about memorizing lists of names and dates; it is instead about finding clues about the past and following those clues to craft true stories about ourselves and others.

Academic Requirements for History Honors students

General Requirements and Information
  • Honors in History requires a minimum of 48 units to a maximum of 60 units in History (including junior courses). In certain circumstances, selected Classics courses are accepted as the equivalent of History courses, subject to the approval of the Honors Advisor in such cases, and, when used in this manner, these courses will be included in the minimum and maximum permitted
  • Promotion from year to year requires a GPA of at least 3.3 with an average of at least 3.3 in all History courses in the Fall/Winter
  • Graduation with Honors in History requires a graduation average of at least 3.0 on the last 60 units completed at the University of Alberta with an average of at least 3.3 on all courses applied to the major. Graduation with First Class Honors requires an average of at least 3.7 on all courses applied to the major taken in the two final years and an average of at least 3.5 on all courses in the two final years (last 60 units)
Course Requirements
  • At least 42 units at the senior level in HIST including a minimum of 9 units at the 400-level in HIST;
    • An historiography seminar, HIST 500, is required during the third year
    • HIST 501, Honors Essay required during the fourth year. Students prepare the Honors essay under the supervision of a member of the Department
  • Students must satisfy the Department of their ability to read a Language Other than English. Examinations for that purpose are conducted by the Department. These exams normally are written during the second or third year and must be passed for completion of degree. Honors History students who already have 6 units in one senior-level Language Other than English will be exempt from the language exam
Additional Notes
  • Students are urged to enroll in courses closely related to their research interests while ensuring that, over the course of the Honors program, they gain a broad background of historical knowledge through courses that range widely in place, time, and perspective

Academic Requirements for History Combined Honors students

General Requirements and Information
  • Students may pursue a Combined Honors program in History and another discipline. However, students should be aware that a Combined Honors program may not directly qualify for admission to a graduate program in History. Please consult the Graduate Chair for advice. A Combined Honors program may also take longer than the usual four years to complete
  • A Combined Honors degree in History and another discipline requires a minimum of 42 units (at the junior and senior levels) in History and a minimum of 36 units in the other discipline
Course Requirements
  • HIST 500 (6 units) Historiography seminar is required in the third year
  • HIST 501 (6 units) Honors Essay is normally required in the fourth year. However, with the Advisor’s approval, this may be replaced with 6 units in History if the student will be completing an Honors Essay in the other discipline. With special permission, a Combined Honors Essay may also be permitted in lieu of HIST 501 [see Honors Essay]. Consult the Honors Advisor for further information
  • Additional units of course weight in History as needed to achieve the minimum of 42 units required; at least 36 units must be at the senior level, and at least 6 units must be at the 400 level. HIST 500 and HIST 501 are counted toward the minimum units of course weight required. Advisor approval of course selection is required
  • Students must satisfy the second language requirements of the BA Honors History program, see the above section for full details
Additional Notes
  • In a combined Honors program, students must meet the promotion and graduation standards of each discipline

The University of Alberta Calendar will always contain the most up-to-date degree requirements for your program, and your requirements are determined by the calendar year you were admitted in.

What kinds of courses can History Honors students take?

  • HIST 104 - The Atomic Age: The World After 1945
  • HIST 115 - Technology and History
  • HIST 123 - Plague: Disease and Epidemics in History
  • HIST 205 - Capitalism
  • HIST 210 - Europe in the 19th and 20th Centuries
  • HIST 237 - The Pacific World Since 1500
  • HIST 291 - World War One
  • HIST 323 - The Middle East in the Making: 1300-1920
  • HIST 338 - Topics in Indigenous History
  • HIST 436 - Postcolonialism and History
  • HIST 501- Honors Essay

What kinds of careers can you pursue with a History Honors degree?

There are many different fields and career paths that students can pursue with a History Honors degree. From museum curation to foreign service, graduates are equipped with communication, research and critical thinking skills to name a few, that are assets in today’s job market. Although there is a list of career options below, it is important to understand that careers are not linear. Intentionally engaging in a variety of activities and following your curiosities will open new opportunities that you might not have expected. To learn more about how you can put your Arts degree to work, stop by the HUB Career Centre (8917 HUB Mall) for more information.

  • Museum Curator
  • Archivist & Conservator
  • Researcher
  • Archaeological Field Technician
  • Educator (Professor, Secondary or Primary)
  • Legal Researcher
  • Film & Television Production
  • Educational Consultant
  • Policy Analyst
  • Diplomat or Foreign Service Officer
  • Cultural Affairs Specialist
  • Librarian
  • Information Specialist
  • Heritage Educator
  • Tourism and Travel Coordinator
  • +More!

Interested in gaining work experience related to your career goals? If so, apply to Arts Work Experience to gain full-time, PAID, work experience before you graduate!

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