History

Bachelor Degree

Students who choose to major in history study a core curriculum rich in arts, sciences, and humanities with a concentration in history courses. Students can also combine their studies with 30 credits in secondary education for Pennsylvania Certification in Social Studies or other majors or minors. The history program is designed to stimulate critical and analytical thinking, develop writing and research skills, and heighten the student's understanding of the world. Students investigate the history of civilization and explore the diversity of intellectual, cultural, political, and social customs, while examining events that have changed the course of human history.  Fields of study include American, Western European, Eastern European, Latin American, and Non-Western cultures.

A degree in history prepares the student for careers in business, communications, education, government, journalism, and ministry. A graduate can also continue studies in government, history, political science, law, and museum administration. For more information about what you can do with a degree in history click here.

Curriculum Information

MAJOR

History - 30 credits

GENERAL EDUCATION AND CORE CURRICULUM*

1. Skills for Exploring – 6 credits
2. Exploring Society and Global Diversity – 18 credits
3. Exploring the Natural World, Mathematics and Technology –9 to 11 credits
4. Exploring the Spiritual World –9 credits
5. Exploring the Arts and the Imagination – 9 credits

Open Electives – 42-44 credits

*Please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@gmc.edu or call 1-800-DIAL-GMC for specific general education course requirements.

Credit Requirement                                                                                                                 

A minimum of 125 credits is required for this degree.                                                                                           

Grade Requirements                                                                                                     

The minimum passing grade within the major is C (a grade of C- is not acceptable).

Furthermore, after a student has completed two 15-week semesters as a declared history major, the student must have achieved and thereafter maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the major in order to remain in the history program.

For detailed course descriptions click here.   

INTERNSHIPS

          Opportunities for on-the-job application of research skills are available for interested students in the form of individually-designed internship programs at numerous area historical societies.  Arrangements will be made for seniors to work a partial or full semester, as appropriate.  Credit awarded will be determined by the nature and duration of the experience.  Application should be made no later than the second semester of the junior year.

          Prerequisite:  Students must have a “B” average in all required history courses, as well as permission of the chairperson and dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.  Required history courses must be completed or taken concurrently.

STUDENT ORGANIZATION

          Phi Alpha Theta is the International History Honor Society.  Gwynedd-Mercy’s chapter, Tau Omicron, was founded on October 29, 1972 and to date has held 32 initiation ceremonies (mostly on an annual basis).  To recognize and encourage excellence in the study of history, the society honors students who have earned a B or better GPA in all courses taken, both in history and in other subjects.

SALARY RANGES

          Currently history student with a bachelor’s degree and Pennsylvania Secondary Certification in Social Studies can expect to receive a starting salary of $40,000+ in the Philadelphia region, depending, of course, upon the individual school district in question.

          For students who do not opt for secondary certification, up-to-date salary information for the wide variety of entry-level occupations for which history majors are qualified can be found at the Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook handbook (OOH), which is available at http://www.bis.gov/OCO/.

FACULTY

              Wayne A. Huss, PhD, chairperson of the Humanities Division and professor of history.  PhD, Temple University; MA, Villanova University; BA; Ursinus College.

              Michael  Clinton, PhD, associate professor of history.  PhD, University of Notre Dame; MA, University of  Notre Dame; BA, La Salle University.

              Bretton T. Alvare, MA, lecturer.  MA, Temple University; BA, University of Richmond.

              Richard Cooper, JD, lecturer.  JD, Cornell University Law School; BA, Columbia University.

              Carolyn Dwyer, MA, lecturer.  MA, New York University; BA, Gwynedd-Mercy College.

 Lynne O’Hara, MA, lecturer.  MA, Villanova University; BA, Pennsylvania State University.

              Robert  J. Piccone, PhD, lecturer.  PhD, Temple University; MS, University of Pennsylvania; BA, Villanova University.

              Daniel Rolph, PhD, lecturer.  PhD, University of Pennsylvania; MA, University of Kentucky; BA, University of Utah.