120
Credit Hours
18
Credit-Hour Minor

Degree

  • Undergraduate Accelerated Degree https://www.stmarytx.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-500×500-1.png
  • Minor https://www.stmarytx.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-500×500-1.png
  • Bachelor of Arts https://www.stmarytx.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-500×500-1.png
  • Teacher Certification https://www.stmarytx.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/history-500×500-1.png

School

Department

Department Chair

History at St. Mary’s

The History program at St. Mary’s is committed to developing historically literate students who identify with a present profoundly linked to the past, from which they can better shape an ethically responsible community.

The Department of History strives to increase students’ awareness of the complexity and diversity of human societies and prepare them to encounter a world different than the one they imagined. The skills students learn, such as research, writing, critical thinking, interpretation and oral and written presentation, prepare them for the world of work, including the private sector and government, or for advanced graduate study and law school.

Apply Now
Request Info

Request more information

Loading…

  • Accelerated Master’s Degree

    Students can can also pursue an Accelerated Master’s Degree, where they earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in as little as in as little as five years, providing substantial savings. For more information contact the Office of Graduate Admission at graduate@stmarytx.edu or 210-436-3126.

  • Degree Plans

    Several degree options are available. Bachelor’s degree options include:

    Students take an introductory course in Public History and a internship in a Public History setting. Public history refers to how history is presented and interpreted in non-academic environments.

    It involves not only the historical content but also the approaches, tools and strategies for presentation that enhance the general public awareness of the past and its connection to the present.

    Female student listening to professor

    The contributions of public history may be seen at the national, state, county and local level through historical associations, heritage tourism, museums, archives and digital history, historic preservation, historic sites, foundations, corporations and public agencies of many kinds.

    Public historians develop collaborative relationships among historians, community leaders, activists and those interested in the preservation of heritage.

    See the degree plan:

    B.A. Public History Track

    Students selecting this track are required to complete a History thesis for which a three course series has been designed to teach and hone the skills necessary for excellence in undergraduate research in history.

    The History thesis is the culminating project for this track as it requires students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired at St. Mary’s. The History thesis permits students to demonstrate proficiency in the fundamental skills of the historian: research, writing, interpretation and critical thinking. These skills help students professionalize their candidacies for employment and graduate programs.

    See the catalog for the full degree plan:

    B.A. in History (Thesis Option)

    In this track, students prepare certified as secondary school history teachers. As part of this track, students take courses in both history and education.

    History students should meet with the chair of the Department of Education about the general requirements for a major in History with Teacher Certification. Specific questions and concerns about the Education program should be directed to the Department of Education.

    Teacher Certification

    History Minor

    Students can also pair an 18-credit History minor with another major.

    Accelerated Degree

    Students can also pursue an Accelerated Degree, where they earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree with tuition discounts:

  • Course Highlights

    History students take a variety of courses, including the St. Mary’s Core and College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences school core. This better prepares them for success in the classroom and beyond. Some example courses include:

    • Ancient Rome
    • Historical Analysis: U.S. History to 1877
    • Historiography, Method and Research
    • Introduction to Latin American History
    • Introduction to Public History
    • Modern Mexico
    • Preserving Community Stories with Oral History
    • The Middle East, Near East and the West
    • U.S. Latino History
    • U.S. Military History
    • 20th Centry U.S. History
    Course Catalog
13:1
Student-faculty ratio
Median annual income for History majors blue icon
$63,000
Median annual income for History majors
Concentrations: Thesis, Public History and Teacher Certification blue icon
3
Tracks: Thesis, Public History and Teacher Certification

What can I do with a degree in History?

Career Opportunities

Equipped with a broad perspective of the human experience, History majors go on to pursue careers in law, medicine, museums, archives, heritage tourism, military, politics, education, journalism, international relations and business.

Internship Opportunities

All students with a Public History track complete a semester-long internship. These internships prepare students for professional employment by providing opportunities to create a portfolio of public history work. History majors have secured internships at many government and nonprofit organizations including:

  • City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation
  • San Antonio Museum of Art
  • The Smithsonian
  • The Alamo
  • UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures
History students work on a project.

Outside the Classroom

Undergraduate Research

All History classes have a component of research, composition, synthesis and presentation to develop critical, creative and writing skills.  Class research projects include written assignments, documentary videos, oral history projects, public-facing research initiatives, community presentations and exhibits.

Students also have the opportunity to share their research with the St. Mary’s and San Antonio community at the annual Research Showcase sponsored by the Office of Student Research and Inquiry.

  • WWI Centennial
  • Rosar Project
  • Texas Story Project
View Projects
Undergraduate projects

StMU Research Scholar Project

StMU Research Scholars Project is a student- and faculty-led organization at St. Mary’s which features academic research, writing and media productions of St. Mary’s students. Students publish a variety of narrative nonfiction articles on the organization’s website, www.stmuscholars.org.

Many students join one of the organization’s six functioning committees to learn technical and leadership skills and to gain experience contributing to the success of the organization. Students, faculty and staff throughout the University collaborate on this project.

Student Clubs and Organizations

History Club is an academic community that encourages comradery and peer-to-peer support among History majors and those who study history peripherally; establishes a network of professional connections between students, faculty and non-faculty professionals; and facilitates communication and organization within the History department in order to promote departmental events and news.

arts, humanities and social sciences clubs
History students sitting at a table talking.

  • O’Connor Lecture

    Endowed in 1982 by the Thomas O’Connor family of Victory City, Texas, the O’Connor Chair in the History of Hispanic Texas and the Southwest supports a permanent professor at St. Mary’s University.

    During his or her tenure, the O’Connor Professor teaches one course per semester, conducts research, writes and offers periodic lectures to the University and surrounding community.

    Besides contributing to scholarly knowledge on the history of Hispanic Texas and the Southwest, O’Connor Chair occupants also provide St. Mary’s students, especially history majors, the opportunity to interact with an active research historian working on a specific ongoing project.

    This is of particular value for students writing Senior Theses and those interested in pursuing graduate studies in history. Contact Jerry Gonzalez, Ph.D., O’Connor Chair, or call 210-436-3703 for more information.

    Upcoming lectures

Faculty

Similar Programs

Browse all degree programs

Related Stories

Light shines behind the bell tower.

Learn More

We’re eager to hear from you and answer any questions you have! Feel free to reach out to learn more about St. Mary’s University.

Request Info
Back to top