Program Details
Program Details

Program Details

History - Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Arts
William & Mary

We teach and research topics that range across the globe and from the ancient world to the twenty-first century. Our faculty have won prestigious awards for teaching, for scholarship, and for general excellence. In 2017, the US News & World Report's ranked us as one of the top three universities in the country in which to study U.S. colonial history.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
Click here for details
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
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Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
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Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree History is a writing and reading-intensive degree. The History degree will prepare you to conduct research, identify and analyze relevant historical sources, and write papers with evidence-based arguments. History requires a major research project in the 4th year and a methods class in the 3rd year (HIST 301). Students have ample opportunity to explore their research interests in different courses. Students with an interest in Public History and a career in Museums have the opportunity of earning a Certificate in Public History.
Considerations When Selecting Courses

Complete courses equivalent to W&M lower-level HIST 100 courses (e.g., regional survey courses, global history) before transferring. Plan to take HIST 301 – Historian’s Craft after you transfer here.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and William & Mary within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights W&M History graduates acquire life-long skills that prepare them for different careers once they graduate. Our students have been admitted in top of the nation Law School programs (Cornell, Georgetown, NYU, Harvard, among others), Graduate Programs (Harvard, Yale, UVA, among others), and have joined excellent business schools (UVA, Emory, U. Penn, among others). Still, other History alumni have successfully joined government agencies and NGOs.
Program Credit Requirements
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Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
History - Bachelor of Arts
120
BA-History
120
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 60 credits may be applied to this program.
Gen Ed
50
Proficiencies
9
Foreign Language Proficiency
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Mathematics Proficiency
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Creative & Perfoming Arts Proficiency
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
COLL Curriculum (Gen Ed)
32
COLL 100
4
Complete courses from the following Category:
AND
A minimum grade of C- must be earned for courses in this requirement.
COLL 150 - First Year Seminar
4
Complete courses from the following Category:
AND
A minimum grade of C- must be earned for courses in this requirement.
COLL 200
9
COLL 200 w/Arts, Letters, Values
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
COLL 200 w/Cultures, Societies, & Individuals
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
COLL 200 w/Natural World & Quant Reasoning
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
COLL 300
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
COLL 350
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
COLL 400 Capstone Experience
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Knowledge Domains
9
Arts, Letters, Values Knowledge Domain
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Cultures, Societies, & Individuals Knowledge Domain
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Natural World & Quant Reasoning Knowledge Domain
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
HIST Major
33
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 18 credits may be applied to this program.
History Core
18
Earn 18 credits: Complete the following
Earn 18 credits: Use the following rules
Complete courses from the following Course list:
AND
Complete the following
Use the following rules
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 3 credits may be applied to this program.
OR
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 3 credits may be applied to this program.
OR
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 3 credits may be applied to this program.
Capstone
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
History Electives
9
Earn 9 credits by completing courses from the following Subject:
Electives to meet 120 hours
37
Earn 37 credits by completing any available course
Applicable Admissions Agreements
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The table below lists admissions agreements between William & Mary and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.

Institution Name Type Title
Richard Bland College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and Richard Bland College
Richard Bland College Bridge Program Bridge Program between William & Mary and Richard Bland College
Blue Ridge Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Central Virginia Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Danville Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Mountain Gateway Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Eastern Shore Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Germanna Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Brightpoint Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Laurel Ridge Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Mountain Empire Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
New River Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Northern Virginia Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Paul D. Camp Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Patrick & Henry Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Piedmont Virginia Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Rappahannock Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Southside Virginia Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Southwest Virginia Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Tidewater Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Virginia Peninsula Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Virginia Highlands Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Virginia Western Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.
Wytheville Community College GAA The Guaranteed Admission Agreement between William & Mary and the VCCS.

You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion If you are applying to W&M as a true transfer student, meaning you have graduated from high school AND have at least one full time semester in college SINCE your high school graduation, AND you have earned an Associates of Arts, Associate of Sciences, or Associate of Arts and Sciences degree in a baccalaureate-oriented program from the Virginia Community College System or Richard Bland College you are granted junior academic status (you'll get at least 54 transfer credits). You will also have some of our general education requirements met via your Associates degree. An associate's degree in General Studies is not considered a baccalaureate-oriented program, unless approved as such by the State Council on Higher Education for Virginia.

Students transferring (not new freshmen) who have earned an Associates degree after their High School graduation date, with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Sciences, or Associate of Arts and Sciences degree in a baccalaureate-oriented program from the Virginia Community College System or Richard Bland College are granted junior academic status (defined as at least 54 credits). An associate's degree in General Studies is not considered a baccalaureate-oriented program, unless approved as such by the State Council on Higher Education for Virginia.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Students entering as new freshmen, who have earned an Associates degree concurrent with their High School graduation date, will NOT have the same guarantees as a Transfer student who has earned an Associates degree post their High School graduation date.
Credit for Prior Learning William & Mary does accept as transfer credit, credit for prior learning. Please check out this webpage to view the places where we do award transfer credit. https://www.wm.edu/offices/registrar/studentsandalumni/transfercredit/apib/index.php
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: William & Mary
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
Visit our transfer site for more information
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
Transfer Students - Apply Here
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
275
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
W&M typically admits 40-60% of transfer applicants, depending on the cycle and strength of the applicant pool. Our most...see moreW&M typically admits 40-60% of transfer applicants, depending on the cycle and strength of the applicant pool. Our most competitive students have at least a 3.5 GPA and have taken a variety of courses across disciplines.
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? Answer these questions to help you decide if William & Mary is right for you! Do you want to go to school in a small-ish town, but has easily accessible larger cities nearby (like Washington DC, Richmond, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach)? Do you want to conduct research with a factulty member as an undergraduate? Do you want to have (mostly) small class sizes? Do you want to take part in service activities? Do you want to have fun, like take part in the "Seventh Grade Comedy Club", or participate in club sports and organizations? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then William & Mary might be right for you. Our students work hard and play hard. Be sure to dig deep into our web page to find out more about all there is to learn and do at W&M!
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance. Https://catalog.wm.edu
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://www.wm.edu/admission/undergraduateadmission/how-to-apply/transfers/vccs_students/index.php
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Eastern Mennonite UniversityBachelor of Arts HistoryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Averett UniversityBachelor of Arts in HistoryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Hollins UniversityBA in HistoryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Eastern Shore Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate in Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Science in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Social SciencesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies MajorAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Arts Degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Art degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Art2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeGeneral Studies, A.S.AssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Northern Virginia Community CollegeLiberal Arts, A.A.AssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online
Northern Virginia Community CollegeSocial Sciences, A.S.AssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Rappahannock Community CollegeAA&S Degree in Arts and SciencesAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Arts & Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Southside Virginia Community CollegeAssociate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Arts in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Social ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Arts - Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearOnline
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Science - General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearOnline
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Science - Social SciencesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearOnline
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Arts Degree in Liberal ArtsAssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in General StudiesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Social SciencesAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree Social ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Sweet Briar CollegeBachelor of Arts in HistoryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor of Arts in History, Major in HistoryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Arts, Major in HistoryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Longwood University History BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Longwood University History: Pre-Law BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Longwood University History: Public History BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Longwood University History: Teacher Preparation in History and Social Science BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Arts in HistoryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Arts in Social Studies EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Radford UniversityBA in HistoryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Radford UniversityBS in HistoryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
University of LynchburgBA in HistoryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
The University of Virginia's College at WiseBachelor of Arts in History, Major in HistoryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Arts in HistoryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Mary Baldwin UniversityBachelor of Arts in HistoryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
George Mason UniversityHistory, BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Norfolk State UniversityBachelor of Arts in HistoryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Old Dominion UniversityHistory-BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
University of Mary WashingtonBA in HistoryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Bridgewater CollegeHistory Major - BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Shenandoah UniversityBachelor of Science HistoryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Ferrum CollegeB.A. in History (Minor Required)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Randolph CollegeBachelor of Arts in HistoryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityHistory, Bachelor of ArtsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityHistory with concentration in Public History, Bachelor of ArtsBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityApplied History Social Sciences (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityHistory (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityInterdisciplinary History and Integrative Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityInterdisciplinary History and Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityInterdisciplinary Mathematics & Teacher Preparation (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Regent UniversityA.A. in HistoryAssociateAssociate of Arts4-YearHybrid
Regent UniversityB.A. in HistoryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearHybrid
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
11-9199.11Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site ManagersPlan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.Management Occupations
11-9199.02Compliance ManagersPlan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.Management Occupations
19-3093.00HistoriansResearch, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1125.00History Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses in human history and historiography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
11-9199.08Loss Prevention ManagersPlan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.Management Occupations
11-9199.00Managers, All OtherAll managers not listed separately.Management Occupations
11-9199.01Regulatory Affairs ManagersPlan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.Management Occupations
25-2031.00Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationTeach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
39-7011.00Tour Guides and EscortsEscort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, and art galleries.Personal Care and Service Occupations
11-9199.10Wind Energy Development ManagersLead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.Management Occupations
11-9199.09Wind Energy Operations ManagersManage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.Management Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 120 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the History - Bachelor of Arts at William & Mary
These costs are based on an estimated 8 semesters or 4 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $17,434 Per Semester $139,472 $0 $139,472 Flat rate tuition is charged if a student is enrolled in 12 UG credits or more. The per credit hour rate is 581 for students enrolled in less than 12 credits. Please see this page for details on tuition and fees https://www.wm.edu/offices/financialoperations/sa/tuition/undergraduate/index.php
Fees
Fee $6,536 Per Semester $52,288 0 $52,288 Flat rate fee is only charged if a student is enrolled in 12 UG credits or more
Room & Board $13,534 Per Semester $108,272 0 $108,272 This is an average cost of room and board
Books, Travel & Incidentals $3,320 Per Semester $26,560 0 $26,560 Books, travel and incidentals are not included on the student bill, but are included here to let you know these average additional costs.
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.