As a history major at the University of Rhode Island, you will cultivate an informed understanding and appreciation of past societies and cultures through a diverse range of courses. You’ll learn how to read critically, write persuasively, and think creatively. You’ll use your study of the past to better understand the present and engage with the challenges we face in the 21st century.
We offer a four-year bachelor’s degree as well as a five-year ABM (accelerated bachelor’s to master’s) degree in history. These degrees include a capstone course sequence that provides an outstanding research experience. We also offer a two-year master’s degree with two options: general history or history, archaeology and anthropology.
The Capstone Experience
Our major ends with a two-semester capstone sequence, a 400-level course in which students research and write a senior thesis on a topic of their choice and work closely with classmates to support one another during the research process. The first course (401, 441, or 481) gives students the skills they need to conduct original research during their undergraduate research seminar (495). These two courses are taught in consecutive semesters by the same instructor.
Minor in History
Undergraduate students may minor in history by completing 18 credits in the field. Students also have the option to minor in underwater archaeology. At least 12 credits must be at the 300 level and above, and at least 9 credits must be from courses taken at the University of Rhode Island.