Introduction to the Major
History is at the foundation of everything we do. We cannot understand the world or hope to improve it without serious attention to the historical processes that created it. Our faculty’s teaching and research cover almost the entirety of recorded history and span most of the globe. We are internationally respected for our expertise in many subfields of the discipline, including cultural, political, economic, religious, intellectual, urban, and imperial and world history, as well as histories of science and sexuality, among others. Faculty have won the most prestigious awards our profession has to offer, from MacArthur “Genius Grants” to Berkeley’s own Distinguished Teaching Award. Whether you choose to major or minor, we hope that you will join our community of historians and add your talents and strengths to ours.
“Examining historical texts in collaboration with fellow students and a professor is an inspiring experience. It made me see directly how doing good historical research can build and strengthen communities.”
- Walker Laughlin ‘20
The History Curriculum
History at Berkeley is a highly flexible major that prizes and prioritizes original research. Students develop their own field of concentration while taking four lower division classes (emphasizing breadth) and eight upper division classes (emphasizing depth). In office hours, lectures, and particularly the two required small seminars (History 103 and 101), students work closely with our faculty to conceptualize, research, and write a capstone thesis.
Amplify Your Major
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Join a History student organization such as Phi Alpha Theta or Clio’s Scroll.
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Connect with current students and faculty at the annual Phi Alpha Theta Faculty Student Dinner.
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Apply for the History Undergraduate Research Grant.
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Present your capstone project at The 101 Circus undergraduate research showcase.
First Year
Explore Your Major
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Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
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Review major and college requirements, and consult the History Major Handbook.
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Enroll in history survey courses to meet the lower division requirements.
Connect and Build Community
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Get 1:1 mentoring through Berkeley Connect in History and L&S Mentors Program.
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Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center.
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Enroll in UGIS 98: College Success in L&S.
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Sign up for the History email list and start attending department events.
Discover Your Passions
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Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar such as HISTORY 24, L&S 1, or a student-run DeCal course.
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Attend the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Fair in October.
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Learn about research opportunities for History majors.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
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Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
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Explore study, internship, and research abroad options with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library.
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Develop a plan for getting career ready.
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Sign up for Handshake and CareerMail.
- Explore career fields in the Career Connections Networking Series or a winter externship.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
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Declare the major after completing three courses in the department, including at least two lower division courses.
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Research sample fields of concentration and start thinking about your own historical fields of interest.
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Review major guidelines for study abroad and look into history-related programs.
Connect and Build Community
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Join a History student organization such as Phi Alpha Theta or Clio’s Scroll.
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Connect with current students and faculty at the annual Faculty Student Dinner.
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Get to know professors, the history librarian, and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
Discover Your Passions
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Enroll in a Sophomore Seminar such as HISTORY 84, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course.
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Assist faculty in their research through URAP.
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Enrich your studies with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Work with a community organization in an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course.
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Go on a service-learning trip with the Alternative Breaks Program.
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Brush up on your foreign language(s) or learn new ones, especially if conducting archival research for your senior thesis.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Reflect on your education so far and skills and experience you still wish to build.
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Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator.
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Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
- Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
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Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
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Enroll in HISTORY 103 (proseminar) and consider applying for a one-year thesis project.
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Submit your Field of Concentration Form.
- Attend workshops at the Office of Undergraduate Research.
Connect and Build Community
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Attend the 101 Circus undergraduate research showcase and learn about the capstone projects of fellow History majors.
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Welcome new students to UC Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
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Check out the Library Guide for History and the History department’s Research and Writing Guide.
Discover Your Passions
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Planning a one-year senior thesis project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF.
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Consider applying for an undergraduate fellowship from the Bancroft Library.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program.
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Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital. If you’d rather stay in California, look into Cal in Sacramento or UCCS.
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Consider a Berkeley Global Internship in the United States or abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
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Discuss post-graduate options with advisors and professors.
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Attend career and graduate school fairs.
- Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters. (See the History Major Handbook for “Advice for Requesting Letters of Recommendation.”)
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
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Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
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Enroll in HISTORY 101 (research seminar) and complete your senior thesis.
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Complete any “bucket list” courses and remaining major,college, and campus requirements.
Connect and Build Community
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Join a professional association such as the American Historical Association (AHA)
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Present at the 101 Circus, and apply to present at another conference like the Pacific Coast Branch of the AHA.
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Connect with alumni groups like the History Alumni Network and continue to build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
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Teach your own DeCal course.
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Apply for the History Undergraduate Research Grant.
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Submit your senior thesis to Clio’s Scroll or the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal, and apply for the Library Prize.
- Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
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Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
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Explore service opportunities after graduation, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, AmeriCorps, or U.S. Department of State.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
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Utilize job board tools in your job search.
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Meet employers at Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting.
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Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
History alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers in research, communications, education, law, business, public service, and many other professions.
Jobs and Employers
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Admissions Specialist, App Academy
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Analyst Consultant, Mercer
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Archivist, Defense Language Institute
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Asst. Editor, China Digital Times
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Communications Manager, Google
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Director, San Joaquin County Historical Museum
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English Teaching Assistant, Fulbright
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Executive Team Leader, Macy’s
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Law Clerk, US District Court San Diego
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Marine Officer, US Marine Corps
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Operations Research Analyst, Kinetix
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Patent Agent, Genentech
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Recruiter, Zendrive
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Research Associate, Harvard University
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Software Engineer, Twitter
Graduate Programs
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Creative Writing, Master’s
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Education, Master’s
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History, PhD
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International Relations, Master’s
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Journalism, Master’s
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Law, JD
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Political Science, Master’s
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Public Administration, Master’s
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Public Policy, Master’s
Examples gathered from LinkedIn and the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for a special orientation for prospective students and their families, as well as a faculty presentation.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students. The History department also holds an annual orientation and welcome for new and continuing students in late August.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty.
Advising
Students can schedule an appointment with the History undergraduate advisor or send an email to history-undergradadvising@berkeley.edu. Visit history.berkeley.edu/undergraduate/advising for advising hours and appointment signups.
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
