History
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Location(s): Logan, Beaver, Bicknell, USU Blanding, Brigham City, Castle Dale, Cortez, Delta, Ephraim, Grantsville, Junction, Kanab, Moab, Montezuma Creek, Monticello, Monument Valley, Nephi, Panguitch, Richfield, Roosevelt (Uintah Basin), Salt Lake, Tooele, Tremonton, USU Eastern (Price), Vernal (Uintah Basin), Wendover
Major Description
Historians look to the past, and in examining that human story, they learn to research, analyze, and communicate complex ideas about change over time. The History Department provides students with a broad range of courses in the history of the United States and the world. From Introductory surveys that delve into the broad sweep of global history to thematic upper-division courses, students develop the skills to understand the past while gaining insights about our current situation. History majors work in virtually every job sector, from financial analysis to public service to non-profit management to corporate strategy.
Admission Requirements
Freshmen: New freshmen admitted to USU to good standing qualify for admission to this major.
How to Customize Your Own Class Schedule
ACT/SAT Scores, AP, IBO, and Concurrent Enrollment/Transfer Credits
Gather your ACT/SAT and advanced placement (AP) scores, any concurrent enrollment, International Baccalaureate (IB), and transfer credits you have taken or are currently taking.
- Know your ACT/SAT scores so you can determine which prerequisites you have already met (particularly for math). Make sure these scores are all in Banner by clicking “Test Scores” in your student records, and double check when you took the test (math scores are only good as prereqs if taken after August 1, 2021).
- See how your AP credits will count at USU by viewing the AP table in the University Catalog. You can see if USU has received your AP scores by viewing your transcript by clicking on “View Transcript” in your student records
- See how your IBO credits will count at USU by viewing the IBO table in the University Catalog.
- See if your transfer or concurrent enrollment credits are equivalent to any courses or requirements at USU by looking at the “Course by Course” page on the transfer page. Make sure your previous courses are on your USU transcript by clicking “View Transcript” in your student records.
- Go to the Finding Your Scores/Courses webpage if you need help getting current scores or credits transferred to USU.
If you have already satisfied some recommended first-semester courses listed on this guide, you may need additional credits to complete your schedule. Refer to the four-year plans in the University Catalog, register for the next courses listed in your plan, and then verify your course selections with your advisor after the date listed in the advising section below.
Placement Tests
Math Placement
Every incoming student has access to the ALEKS math system for free. ALEKS is the software you will use to place into a math class, and brush up on math skills you lack. You can take up to five proctored exams for placement purposes, and you can work through customized learning modules for up to six months so you can place higher in math, or learn some basic skills so your math class isn’t as difficult once you get into it.
Go to ALEKS and take a proctored math exam to determine when you can place in math. After that, feel free to study in ALEKS before the semester begins, and take additional placement exams if you think you can place higher. This website has information about how to take a proctored exam in Logan, throughout Utah, and at an out-of-state location.
Note: some students with math ACT/SAT scores, AP scores, or college-credit math grades earned after August 1, 2021 are able to automatically register for a math class because they meet the pre-requisite for the course. If you think you can automatically qualify to register for a math class, click on a specific math class in the math path below to see the pre-requisite scores needed for that class.
Language Placement
If you have foreign language skills, take the language placement exam if you would like to earn inexpensive elective credits for previous knowledge, or place into a higher language course.
Call the freshman hotline at (435) 797-0283 if you have additional questions as you prepare.
Class Schedule
Use the results from steps one and two, along with the recommended courses below, to make a list of several classes you would like to take. Be sure to include a few extra courses as back-ups.
Recommended First Semester Courses
Register for five of the following classes, which have been recommended by your academic advisor. We recommend you take 15 to 16 credits your first semester. Make sure you register for a math class each semester until you are finished with math/stats.
Critical First Semester Courses are the classes you need to take during your first semester at USU. Additional Classes should be used to fill in to reach 15 to 16 credits. If more credits are needed, refer to the four-year plan in the University Catalog or take additional breadth courses.
Critical First Semester Courses
Do everything you can to get into these classes. If a class is full, add yourself to a waitlist. If the class doesn’t have a waitlist option, check back frequently to look for openings. You’ll be surprised how quickly waitlists turn over, and remember you can add yourself to multiple waitlists for the same course. (Don’t forget to check your USU email daily so you see any waitlist notifications before they expire.)
Foundations of Western Civilization: Ancient and Medieval
or
Foundations of Western Civilization: Modern
3 credits
Additional Courses
Fill in the rest of your schedule with these classes as needed until you have 15-18 credits.
MATH CLASS (QL)
3-5 credits
(See Math Path below)
(See catalog to view all options)
Your Math Path
- The following math path has been recommended by the advisor for this major. Start at the highest math class you can. Click on the course below to see the catalog description, along with prerequisites needed to register for the course. All math prerequisites expire after one year, so your prerequisite will only be valid to get you into another math class if it was earned after December 1, 2024
- If you don’t have a current prerequisite needed to get into a course, or if you aren’t sure where to start in math, take a proctored ALEKS exam (see math placement section above). This applies to nearly all students who have been on leave for an extended period of time, i.e. missionaries or students on military leave.
- The highest math that this major requires is MATH_REQUIREMENTS.
Prerequisites and Course Descriptions
The classes marked with an asterisk(*) have prerequisites. For course descriptions and prerequisite information, click on the the course in this guide or see the University Catalog and click on "Course Numbers and Descriptions."
If you have met a class prerequisite via AP or IBO scores or college credits, but have not yet transferred them to USU, you can request a temporary prerequisite override. Only do this if you have already met the prerequisite and are certain you can get your test scores/credits to USU and into Banner well before December 1, 2024 . This is the day that your temporary override will expire and your class will be dropped unless you meet the prerequisite in Banner. After you submit a temporary override request, allow for up to 3-4 business days for the request to be processed. Once processed, the Registrar’s office will reach out to you via email.
Math prerequisites typically only last 1 year, math prerequisites the 2021 semester are valid if they were earned after December 1, 2024.
English 1010 (CL1) and English 2010 (CL2) or English 2020 (CL2)
The Communications Literacy 1 requirement (CL1) is typically fulfilled by ENGL 1010. You have already satisfied the CL1 requirement if you have any of the following:
- ACT English Test: Score of 29 or higher
- RSAT Reading Test (if taken after March 2016): Score of 34 or higher
- SAT Critical Reading Test (if taken before March 2016): Score of 640 or higher
- AP English Language Test: Score of 3 or higher (for CL1 only)
- CLEP College Composition Test: Score of 50 or higher (for CL1 only)
- IBO English A: Language & Literature Test: Higher-level Score of 5 or higher (for CL1 only)
If you have already met the CL1 requirement, you should take English 2010 (CL2) or English 2020 (CL2).
When You Can Register
Registration opened for all students on November 14, 2024 and is an ongoing process. Incoming students can begin registering for classes as soon as they complete the second orientation module. For specific dates on when registration will close, check the USU Catalog.
Waitlist Information
If the class you want to register is full, and it uses the waitlisting feature, you will see an option to join the waitlist. If the course has an opening, an email is sent to the student first in the waitlist line. That student is given 24 hours to add the class online. Once the first week of classes starts, the time a waitlist student has to add a class is shortened to 12 hours. You can view your position in the waitlist through your student schedule in Banner.
Advising for First-Year Students in this Major
You can find more information about the DEGREE degree on the degree finder website or at the department website.
Degree Works is a useful software that helps students see the degree requirements. A student tutorial is available to help you use Degree Works tool.
After you have utilized the instructions listed in this guide and completed Module 2 of the New Student Orientation, it is highly recommended that you schedule an appointment with your Statewide advisor by going to www.usu.edu/advisors and selecting your advisor by location and program.
The advisor for this major, can answer questions for incoming first-year students via phone or email. Call (435) 797-3883 or email your advisor with questions (please include your A# in any e-mail). If you wish to have an appointment, you can make a phone, or video-chat appointment at http://chassadvising.usu.edu.
Academic Advisor
Office Location: Old Main 204
Phone: (435) 797-1211
Email: carson.tatton@usu.edu
In addition to your academic advisor students at one of the statewide campuses are also assigned a success coordinator, who will be a central point of contact for any questions or concerns you have. They can help you understand campus resources as well as help you with localized tutoring or campus events, the financial aid office, our wellness psychologists, or finding your academic advisor. If your success coordinator doesn’t know the answer, they will help connect you to an expert at USU to resolve your question or issue. Visit a campus site to find your success coordinator.