History Minor
Study how political, economic, cultural, and social institutions have developed over time through the History Minor.
Study history. Build perspective. Strengthen any major.
Program Type: Minor
Total Credit Hours: 18
Open to: All MCLA Undergraduates
Why Add a History Minor?
The History Minor offers students the opportunity to study in moderate depth and breadth how political, economic, cultural, and social institutions have changed throughout history. With flexible course options spanning multiple regions and historical periods, the minor complements a wide range of majors while providing historical knowledge and research skills applicable to careers in business, public service, law, education, museums, archives, and cultural organizations.
Digital History Projects
History students contribute to public-facing digital history projects led by department faculty and MCLA’s Freel Library, in partnership with the North Adams Historical Society, North Adams Public Library, and MASS MoCA.
Internships at Regional Museums and Archives
History minors can complete internships worth 3–15 credits. Working with faculty and MCLA’s Internship Center, students secure placements near campus or closer to home, with recent sites including Hancock Shaker Village, Eisenhower National Historic Site, the Museum of Russian Icons, the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, and the North Adams Historical Society.
Phi Alpha Theta and the History Society
Eligible History minors may join MCLA’s Alpha Beta Omega chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society, as well as the student-run History Society, creating opportunities for scholarship, leadership, and community outside the classroom.
History Minor Requirements
The History Minor requires 18 credits. Students study political, economic, cultural, and social institutions in moderate depth and breadth through six History courses, four of which must be at the 300 level or above.
courses available:
- HIST 305: Topics in European History
- HIST 310: Topics in Asian History
- HIST 320: Topics in United States History
- HIST 330: Topics in Latin American History
- HIST 350: Topics in African History
- HIST 360: Practicing History
How to Add the History Minor
Enrolled MCLA students can add the History Minor by meeting with their academic advisor to plan the required 18 credits and select courses that complement their academic interests and career goals.
Who Can Add the History Minor?
The History Minor is open to all MCLA undergraduates. Students should consult the History & Political Science department regarding any program-specific policies.
Political Science: Political Science students deepen their understanding of institutions, public policy, political development, and historical context while strengthening research and analytical skills.
Arts Management: Arts Management students build historical research and archival skills through courses focused on museums, monuments, public memory, and cultural heritage.
English: English students strengthen literary interpretation by placing texts within their historical and cultural contexts while developing advanced research and analytical writing skills.
Education: Education students expand their historical content knowledge while developing research and critical thinking skills that support social studies and history instruction.
Interdisciplinary Studies (IDST): Students designing individualized majors can use the History Minor to add historical depth and research methods to programs focused on American Studies, public policy, cultural studies, or related fields.
Skills You Will Develop
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FAQs
The History Minor provides broad historical study across regions, periods, and themes. The Public History Minor focuses on applying historical knowledge through museums, archives, historic preservation, and cultural organizations.
The minor can strengthen content knowledge for students pursuing educator licensure, but licensure requirements are determined by MCLA's Education department and the Massachusetts state standards.
History minors develop research, writing, analytical, and communication skills that support careers in law, government, business, education, museums, archives, public service, nonprofit organizations, and cultural institutions.
History graduates pursue careers in museums, archives, historic sites, libraries, cultural organizations, and related public history fields. Students also gain practical experience through internships and digital history projects while at MCLA.
Not always. Some entry-level positions are available with a bachelor's degree and relevant internship experience, while advanced museum, archival, preservation, or academic positions may require graduate study.
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