Students of history ask new questions, find new evidence, incorporate more voices, and reconsider old assumptions. Studying history enriches our understanding of the world by deepening our knowledge of the past and by pushing us to ask new questions that provide insight into our own time. Our History Department is committed to helping students learn to think historically, which entails asking not just what happened, but why it happened the way it did.
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Major Requirements
The history major requires a minimum of 12 unique courses. At least eight of the 12 courses must be upper-division (HIS 100-199). A maximum of four courses may be lower-division (HIS 1-99).
Each history major identifies one of three geographic regions of concentration as their primary area of focus:
Select one of the geographic regions listed above to learn more about the requirements for that specific concentration.
Grade Policy
Courses applied to the history major must be completed with grades of Pass, C (2.0 GPA), or better.
A maximum of two Pass (P) courses may be applied, with the exception of the comprehensive requirement, which must be taken for a letter grade. Student are encouraged to consult the university’s Pass/No Pass policy before deciding to take courses on a Pass/No Pass basis.
Advanced Placement (AP) History
The university grants credit for College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations on which a student scores 3, 4, or 5. This credit is applied toward the 180-credit graduation requirement, and in some cases also satisfies general education requirements. AP scores do not satisfy history major requirements.
Course Substitutions
History majors must take a minimum of six regularly scheduled history courses, including the comprehensive exit and disciplinary communication (DC) requirements, from members of the UC Santa Cruz History Department faculty. Some coursework completed via study abroad, an alternate UC Santa Cruz department, or another domestic university may be petitioned to satisfy history major requirements. Consult the Course Substitutions webpage for more information and petitioning instructions.
Double Major
Pursuing a double major is a highly individual decision, and should be based on a student’s educational and career goals. For many students, pursuing a single major and including internships, research opportunities, or more classes than are required for their major is just as challenging and rewarding as a double major, if not more so.
A student becomes eligible for a double major by satisfying the minimum degree requirements for each major. To pursue a double major program, you must file a quarterly academic plan that shows you are able to complete all of your double major requirements within the maximum number of quarters of enrollment available to you at UC Santa Cruz.
Upper-division courses applied toward a second major/minor may or may not also be applied to the history major requirements. Review the UC Santa Cruz Academic Senate “Double Counting” policy and consult with the history undergraduate program coordinator if you’d like to share upper-division courses between multiple majors or minors.
Major Declaration Instructions
The history major does not have any qualification requirements. History majors are encouraged to declare early! You are advised (but not required) to complete at least one lower division history course (HIS 1 – 99) before declaring.
STEP 1. Submit a Petition for Major/Minor via MyUCSC
Log into MyUCSC (very important first step!) and submit a Petition for Major/Minor.
This petition can also be accessed by navigating to the Student Homepage in MyUCSC and selecting the Undergraduate Student eForms tile > Petition for Major/Minor.
STEP 2. Create a History Major Course Plan
2a. If you don’t already have one, copy a History Major Planning Worksheet appropriate for your plan of study to your UCSC Google Drive:
2b. Add your completed, in-progress, and future history courses to your History Major Planning Worksheet:
- Completed Courses: If you need help remembering what requirement(s) your completed UCSC history courses satisfy, consult the History Catalog of Course Requirements.
- Transfer students may apply up to three history courses completed at a California Community College (or other domestic university) to their history major requirements. Community college courses all count for lower division credit.
- Current and Future Courses: Use the Annual History Curriculum Sheet to identify history courses you plan to take in Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters (look for the page tabs located in the upper left corner of your browser window). Select 1-2 history courses per quarter and add them to your History Major Planning Worksheet.
Major requirements that you intend on completing after the current academic year may be left blank on your worksheet. Don’t worry about making your plan perfect, just try your best!
2c. Share your completed History Major Planning Worksheet with the History Undergraduate Program Coordinator. Be sure the “Notify people” box is checked.
Planning Tools
You may find it helpful to reference the major requirements for your region of concentration when creating your history plan:
History majors typically take 1-2 history courses per quarter.
STEP 3. Virtually Meet with the History Advisor
Schedule an advising appointment with the History Undergraduate Program Coordinator using Navigate Slug Success. Select “Declaring/Adding/Changing a Major/Minor” as the reason for your appointment. During your appointment you will have an opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback or suggestions on your history major plan. You are now officially declared!
OPTIONAL: Double Major or Minor Declaration
To declare a double major or a minor, you must also complete a UCSC Academic Planning Form with both of your major/minor advisors. If you don’t already have one, the History Undergraduate Program Coordinator will provide you with a signed UCSC Academic Planning Form during your declaration advising appointment.
To add history as a second declared major, your UCSC Academic Planning Form must be current and up to date: reviewed and approved by your first major advisor within the last academic quarter. You may need to update your UCSC Academic Planning Form with your first major advisor before petitioning to declare history as a second major.
Major Declaration Deadlines
Students who enter UCSC as frosh are required to declare a major before enrolling in their third year (or equivalent). Upper division transfer students are required to declare a major by their second term at UCSC. Consult the UCSC Academic and Administrative Calendar for the quarterly “Declaration/Change of Major/Minor” deadline. Students who do not declare a major by the aforementioned deadlines will not be able to enroll in their classes for the following term.
Questions about declaring the history major? Contact the History Undergraduate Program Coordinator.
Intensive History Major
The intensive major track offers history majors a pathway to enrich their study of history, refine their skills in writing and research, and receive a designation on their transcripts that signals their ambition and accomplishment to potential employers and graduate schools. All students are eligible to declare the intensive track, including junior transfers! If a student attempts but does not complete the intensive track they may still graduate with a standard history degree, provided the appropriate major coursework has been completed.
Major Requirements
The intensive history major requires a minimum of 15 history courses plus one year (or equivalent) of language study (see Language Requirement below). In addition to the 12 courses required for the standard history major, intensive majors will complete three additional upper-division elective courses.
Advanced Research Requirement
Three of the 15 courses required for the intensive major must require advanced historical research. Advanced research and reading seminars (HIS 190 series, 194 series, or 196 series), the senior thesis (HIS 195A and 195B) and/or independent studies (HIS 199) conducted under faculty supervisor may satisfy this requirement. At least one seminar or senior thesis must be completed in the student’s chosen region of concentration to ensure the UC Santa Cruz comprehensive exit and disciplinary communication (DC) requirement is satisfied.
Language Requirement
Intensive majors must pursue training in a second language by completing three quarters of college level language study in a single, non-English modern or ancient language (e.g. Italian 2-4, Latin 1-3, etc.). Students with prior training in a second language are advised to complete a language placement exam to determine the appropriate level of language course instruction. With prior approval by the Undergraduate Director, the language training requirement may be satisfied by at least one quarter study abroad with foreign language instruction. Students do not necessarily need to pursue a language related to their region of concentration but are encouraged to do so when possible. After consultation with the Undergraduate Director, students can petition for alternative ways by which to satisfy this requirement.
Comprehensive and Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirements
History majors may satisfy the U.C. Santa Cruz comprehensive requirement, and the disciplinary communication (DC) general education requirement, in one of two ways:
Research Seminar (Required)
One quarter: 190 series, 194 series, or 196 series
In courses designated as History 190, 194, or 196, students participate in a small discussion-based research seminar, which provides an opportunity to acquire experience in practical research skills while developing a research project culminating in the writing of a substantial research paper. Seminars require submission of written work totaling approximately 25 pages and satisfy the disciplinary communication (DC) general education requirement.
History 190, 194, and 196 courses are restricted to declared history majors with junior or senior standing. Students are required to complete the Entry Level Writing Requirement, HIS 100, Historical Skills and Methods, and two additional upper-division history courses before they make take a seminar course. Individual seminar courses may have additional enrollment restrictions or prerequisites. Students should consult the History Course Catalog for more information about each of the History 190, 194, and 196 seminar courses offered.
Seminars must be taken in a student’s chosen geographic region of concentration — Americas and Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and the Mediterranean World — to satisfy their comprehensive requirement. Students should consult the History Catalog of Course Requirements to identify seminars in their region of concentration.
Thesis (Optional)
Two quarters: HIS 195A, Thesis Research and HIS 195B, Thesis Writing
Preparing for Your Thesis: One Year in Advance
Students who want to write a thesis need to begin planning at least one year in advance. Students must first find two History faculty, a primary thesis advisor and a second reader, to sponsor and advise on the thesis project. Students are advised to meet with History faculty to discuss potential topics and the feasibility of their proposed thesis as soon as possible. Only Assistant, Associate, or full Professors may sponsor undergraduate thesis projects.
Thesis Prerequisite: One-Two Quarters in Advance
Students must complete at least one research seminar (HIS 190, 194, or 196 course) in their region of concentration before undertaking an independent, two quarter thesis project. Students are advised to complete their seminar by the end of their third/junior year. When possible, seminars should be taught by the student’s intended primary thesis advisor.
In extraordinary circumstances, students may petition the History Department for an exception to this requirement. Students who are granted an exception to the seminar requirement will satisfy the U.C. Santa Cruz comprehensive requirement and the disciplinary communication (DC) general education requirement after successfully completing both HIS 195A, Thesis Research, and HIS 195B, Thesis Writing.
Proposing Your Thesis: One Quarter in Advance
Once the thesis advisor and second reader have been secured, and a research topic defined, students must submit a senior thesis proposal to the department for consideration and approval. Your proposal should demonstrate A) the feasibility of the proposed project, and B) that it can be completed within the span of two quarters. Discussing the availability of sources and supplying a tentative bibliography are usually helpful additions to a project description. Example senior thesis proposals are available via the History Undergraduate Program Coordinator.
Proposals are due no later than the sixth week of classes one quarter before the planned HIS 195A, Thesis Research, quarter (see exact deadlines below).
Formatting and Submitting Your Thesis: Thesis Writing Quarter
Penultimate drafts must be submitted to the thesis advisor and second reader no later than the eighth week of classes during the thesis writing quarter (see exact deadlines below).
Completed theses must be at least 40 pages in length. The final version of your thesis must be submitted in PDF format to the History Undergraduate Program Coordinator by the last day of the thesis writing quarter (see exact deadlines below).
Your thesis must include a title page (see sample title page) which follows departmental formatting guidelines:
- thesis title;
- author name;
- University of California, Santa Cruz;
- Department of History
- date;
- faculty sponsor names and signatures (electronic signatures are permitted)
- The following statement: “This thesis has been completed to departmental standards and is submitted in partial fulfillment of the degree of Bachelor of Arts in History.”
The second page of your thesis must include a brief (one paragraph) abstract or description of the work.
2024-2026 Thesis Deadlines
| Thesis Quarters | Fall 2024(195A)/Winter 2025(195B) | Winter(195A)/Spring 2025(195B) | Spring (195A)/Fall 2025 (195B) | Fall 2025 (195A)/Winter 2026(195B) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposal Due: Friday of week 6 quarter before HIS 195A | May 10, 2024 | November 1, 2024 | February 14, 2025 | May 9, 2025 |
| Penultimate Draft Due: Monday of week 8 of HIS 195B quarter | February 24, 2025 | May 19, 2025 | November 21, 2025 | March 2, 2026 |
| Completed Thesis Due: Last day of HIS 195B quarter | March 21, 2025 | June 12, 2025 | December 12, 2025 | March 20, 2026 |
Senior Year Check-in and Graduation
You’re almost ready to graduate! Prepare for a successful final year by completing a History Senior Check-in, learn how and when to apply for graduation, and register to participate in your college’s commencement ceremony. You may also be interested in learning about honors in the history major and the History Department Graduation Celebration.
History Senior Check-in
In the first quarter of your senior year you are required to complete a History Senior Check-in. The History Senior Check-in is an opportunity for you to:
- consult with an advisor about your history major progress so far;
- select courses that will satisfy your remaining history major requirements;
- confirm you are on track to complete the history major by your planned graduation quarter.
Your senior check-in should be completed at least two quarters before you intend to graduate. You don’t want to experience any last minute, unwelcome surprises!
History Senior Check-in Deadlines
2025-26 seniors will receive a Slug Success campaign message on October 1st with an invitation to complete the senior check-in and make an appointment with the History Department Advisor during October 7th-15th.
- Spring and Summer 2026 Graduation: Wednesday, October 15
- Fall 2026 Graduation: Monday, January 26
- Winter 2026 Graduation: Friday, April 17
Students who do not complete their senior check-in by the deadlines listed may have their graduation date delayed.
Instructions
- Copy a History Senior Check-in form to your UCSC Google Drive. Look for the “Standard” and “Intensive” sheet tabs, located in lower left corner of your browser window. Fill out the History Senior Check-in form appropriate for your plan of study.
- List your completed, in progress, and future history major courses on your History Senior Check-in form.
- If you need help remembering what requirement(s) your completed history courses satisfy, consult the History Catalog of Course Requirements.
- Use the Annual History Curriculum sheet to identify and plan for courses that will satisfy your remaining history major requirements, as needed.
- Share your completed History Senior Check-in form with the History Undergraduate Program Coordinator. Be sure the “Notify people” box is checked.
- Schedule an advising appointment with the History Undergraduate Program Coordinator using Navigate Slug Success. During your History Senior Check-in appointment you will receive feedback or suggestions on your final history plan, and you will have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
Honors in the History Major
Honors are awarded to the top 10-15 percent of graduating students per quarter; highest honors may be granted to approximately the top five percent. Honors are determined by the Undergraduate Education Committee in consultation with the History Department faculty. The department considers each student’s GPA in the history major, supplemented when appropriate by an assessment of work in the comprehensive requirement. The history major GPA is calculated based upon all history courses attempted at UCSC; grades from courses taken outside of the department will not be calculated into a student’s history major GPA, even in cases when the student is allowed to use said courses toward their history major degree requirements. Summer, fall, and winter graduates will be reviewed at the end of each of their respective quarters. Spring graduates will be reviewed using their earned history major GPAs as of the spring announcement of candidacy deadline.
Applying to Graduate/Announcing Candidacy
You may apply to graduate up to one quarter before you complete your bachelor’s degree requirements. More information about applying to graduate may be found on the Office of the Registrar website.
Commencement
You may also wish to participate (or “walk”) in your college’s commencement ceremony. Commencement ceremonies are held each June. Visit UCSC’s Commencement website to learn more.
Graduation vs. Commencement
Applying to graduate and registering for your college’s commencement ceremony are different and separate processes! Participating in your college commencement ceremony will not result in your degree conferral unless you have also applied to graduate on your MyUCSC student portal.