History Program

The Bachelor of Arts degree with a History major can be used as the basis for teaching certification in history, as a means for entering graduate studies in the field of history, or as a pre-professional degree to enter studies in law, medicine and other professions. Many businesses also are increasingly realizing the value of a liberal arts degree. History majors and students with secondary certification in history must take the History assessment examination during the last semester before graduation.

Texas State Legal Requirements in History

History 1301 and 1302, offered at Southwest Texas Junior College, are the courses normally taken to satisfy the six semester hour requirement in American History as specified in the state law. Courses offered at Rio Grande College which may also fulfill the requirement and which may be taken with the approval of the Chair of Liberal Arts are as follows: History 3310, 3313, 4302, 4314, 4315, 4320.

Bachelor of Arts - History

Courses Hours
General Education  
English 1301, 1302 6 sch
English Literature 3 sch
Additional English 3 sch
U.S. History - HIST 1301, 1302 6 sch
U.S. Government - GOVT 2301, 2302 6 sch
Mathematics - MATH 1314 (College Algebra or Higher 3 sch
Speech, Communications 3 sch
Fine Arts - Music, Theater 6 sch
Social Science - Anthropology, Geography, Psychology, Sociology 3 sch
Laboratory Science - Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology 6-8 sch
Foreign Language (no conversational courses) 6-8 sch
Multicultural Course - HST 3302, HST 3308, HST 3313 or SPN 3320 3 sch
Physical Education 2 sch
Total 56-60 sch
Major: Required 18 Advanced Hours 30 sch
Minor: Choose from Biology, Criminal Justice, English, Mathematics, Psychology, Spanish- Required 9 Advanced Hours 18 sch
Electives 12-16 sch
Total Hours 120 sch

Additional Requirements: 1. Minimum of 120 sch for degree 2. Minimum of 33 sch in residence 3. Minimum of 39 sch advanced

Teacher Certification for History Major

Listed are the required courses needed for teacher certification. The courses can be used to complete the 120 sch degree in English. Contact the Education Department for admissions into the teacher education program.

  • EDUC 3300
  • EDUC 3302
  • EDUC 3305
  • EDUC 4312
  • EDUC 4314
  • EDUC 4605
  • ENGL 3312
  • HST 3313
  • Computer Literacy Course