Frequently Asked Questions

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Majoring and Minoring in History
Why should I major in History? What can I do with a History degree?

A BA in History is a flexible degree that can prepare you for a wide variety of careers. Former FSU History majors have found jobs in, among other fields, business, law, education, library science, and public history. For more information about careers in History view the American Historical Association site.

How do I declare a major in History?

To declare a History major, bring a copy of the Change of Major Form to the History Department Chair (office located on the third floor of May Hall) for a signature.

How do I declare a minor in History?

To declare a History minor, bring a copy of the Change of Major Form to the History Department Chair (office located on the third floor of May Hall) for a signature.

How do I declare a minor in another program, e.g. Secondary Education?

To declare a minor in another program, bring a copy of the Change of Major Form to the relevant department chair for a signature. Note: some minor programs require applicants to first apply in writing to the department chair.

Does the FSU History Department sponsor any graduate programs?

The History Department, along the Education Department, sponsors an M.Ed. in Secondary Education with a Specialization in History, Grades 5-12.

If I change my major to/from History will it affect my General Education requirements?

History majors satisfy Gen Ed sub-domain III-A by virtue of the major. Students switching from History to another major should consult with the chair of the new major department for specific information on major-specific general education requirements. Gen Ed completions may change when you switch majors.

If I major in history, how many free electives will I have?

History majors have eleven free electives. This will allow you to select any minor, including Secondary Education.

History Secondary Education
What major/minor should I declare at FSU?

To get your initial license for teaching History at the middle/high school level, you should declare a major in History through the History Department and a minor in Secondary Education-Grades 5-12 (SEH), through the Education Department.

How does the History education curriculum differ from a regular History major?

Additional required courses for History Major/Secondary Education Minor students are GEOG 110, ECON 101, and POSC 110 (General Education courses); PSYC 200, EDUC 200, EDUC 222, EDIL 302, EDIL 322, EDPS 422A, and EDPS 422B. Either SOCI 101 or SOCI 130 is highly recommended.

Will I have extra requirements?

You will need to pass two MTELs (Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure) and maintain an overall GPA of 2.8 or higher. You must also maintain an Education course GPA of 2.8 or higher, as well as a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the Teaching History Concentration (UHIT). You must pass the MTEL (01) Communication and Literacy Skills Test 1 prior to Field Study II, and MTEL (06) History prior to Student Teaching.

Will someone advise me about the requirements of the Education minor?

Your history advisor will advise you about the requirements of the Education minor. Together you will review the History Major/Secondary Education Minor Course Checklist (for your catalog year of entry) and Four Year Completion Plan. You should also visit the Education Office in O'Connor Hall 125. There you will find all of the forms that must be submitted for the Education minor, Field Studies I & II, and Student Teaching and information on the MTELs.

History Major with Coordinate in Early Childhood/Elementary Education
If I want to earn an initial teaching license in either Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education while majoring in History, what major do I declare?

You will declare a major in History and a coordinate major in Elementary or Early Childhood Education.

Will I have a History and Education Department Advisor? Who gives me the PIN?

You will be assigned both a History and an Education advisor. Your History advisor will give you your PIN. You should meet with both advisors during advising each semester.

How does the History Major with Early Childhood/Elementary Education Coordinate curriculum differ from a regular History major?

Early Childhood/Elementary Education coordinate majors must meet all of the History Major requirements. To best prepare for becoming an elementary or early education teacher, it is strongly advised that you take HSTY 111. Early Childhood coordinate majors must also take EDUC 200, EDUC 222, EDUC 320, EDUC 374, EDUC 376, EDUC 431, EDUC 432, and PSYC 200. Elementary Education coordinate majors must also take EDUC 200, EDUC 222, EDUC 322, EDUC 341, EDUC 346, EDUC 437, EDUC 438, and PSYC 200.

Will I have extra requirements?

You will need to pass three MTELs (Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure) and maintain an overall GPA of 2.8 or higher. You must also maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8 in all education courses and PSYC 200. You must pass the MTEL (01) Communication and Literacy Skills Test 1 prior to Field Study II, and both MTEL (90) Foundations of Reading Test 2 and MTEL (03) General Curriculum Test prior to Student Teaching.

Liberal Arts Interdisciplinary Major for Early Childhood/Elementary Education: Social Science (UIDD)
How does an Interdisciplinary Social Science Major differ from a History Major with Coordinate in Early Childhood/Elementary Education?

As an Interdisciplinary major you will take a combination of History and Social Science courses to fulfill major requirements (see below for specific program requirements).

How do I declare a major in Liberal Arts Interdisciplinary Social Science?

You declare a major in Interdisciplinary Major: Social Science (UIDD) with the History Department and a coordinate major in Elementary or Early Childhood Education.

What departments will my advisors come from?

You will have an advisor from the Education Department and another from the History Department. The History Department advisor will give you your PIN number for registration. You should meet with both advisors during advising each semester.

How do my course requirements differ from the History Major with Early Childhood/Elementary Education Coordinate program?

Interdisciplinary Social Science Majors do not take HSTY 450 Seminar. You must take two 100-level History courses, HSTY 225, HSTY 250, three 300-level History courses (one must be a non-Western/World History-focused course), and three 200-level Geography courses. UIDD Majors must take the same Education and Psychology courses as History with Early Childhood/Elementary Education Coordinate Majors.

Will I have extra requirements?

You will have to meet the same extra requirements regarding MTELs and minimum GPAs as the History Major with Early Childhood/Elementary Education Coordinate.

Transfer Credit
Can AP credit satisfy major requirements?

Advanced placement credit towards graduation will be awarded to students who obtain scores of three (3) or higher on a College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement Test, i.e. European History, United States History, or World History. A passing score on the exam will satisfy the associated 100-level survey course requirement. So, a score of 3 or higher on the United States History AP Examination will satisfy the US History survey course requirement, while a grade of 3 or higher on the European or World History AP Examinations will satisfy the European/World survey course requirement. Official score results should be forwarded directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Can CLEP exams satisfy major requirements?

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) enables students to earn college credit by examination. Credit is awarded for scores of 50 or higher. A passing score on the United States History I, United States History II, Western Civilization I, or Western Civilization II exam will satisfy the associated 100-level survey course requirement. For example, a score of 50 on either the Western Civilization I or II Examinations will satisfy the European/World History survey course requirement.

Why did a History course that I took at another school prior to coming to FSU not apply towards my major requirements?

In order for a course to satisfy major requirements it must either (a) correspond to a specific course offered by the FSU Department of History, or (b) correspond in level and in theme to a major requirement (e.g. intermediate-level European History).

If there is not an existing transfer agreement between Framingham State and the institution where the course was taken, the History Department Chair will make his/her determination based on the course’s catalog description and/or syllabus.

Note: transfer credit is given only for courses in which the student received a grade of C- (1.70) or higher. Transfer students must complete a minimum of five (5) Framingham State University course-credits in their major department and, if applicable, three (3) Framingham State University courses in their minor department.

I am an FSU student, but I want to take classes at another school and transfer them back to FSU. Can I do that?

Yes, with the prior approval of the History Department Chair. Note: the same conditions for receiving transfer credit outlined above apply.

I want to study abroad. Will the History courses that I take abroad count toward my History major at FSU?

Yes, with the prior approval of the History Department Chair. Note: the same conditions for receiving transfer credit outlined above apply.

I took a course with a lot of history content in it. Can I count it towards my History Major?

As a general rule, only courses offered through History departments may be applied towards major requirements. The History Department Chair will make his/her determination based on the course’s catalog description and/or syllabus.

Courses and Enrollment
MyFramingham will not allow me enroll in a course. What should I do?

Contact your faculty advisor, who will explain the reason for your inability to enroll, as well as what options might be available for getting a seat.

A History course that I need to take is full. How can I get in?

Only the professor teaching the course can make the decision to over-enroll. It is strongly recommended that you have back-up options should you be unable to get a seat in a required course.

Can I enroll in History courses offered through Continuing Education (CE)?

You may enroll in CE courses (online or night) for credit and/or to satisfy distribution requirements. Note, however: courses offered through CE typically are not covered by your regular tuition. On occasion, the Office of the Registrar will make available seats in CE courses to Day Division students at the very beginning of a new semester.

If I fail a course, can I substitute a similar course in order to replace the grade?

University policy requires that you repeat the same course in order to replace a grade.

What is HSTY 225? When I should take it?

HSTY 225: Historiography is a course intended to introduce majors to the nature of history as a discipline and to the approaches, methods, and interpretations of historians. Students should plan to take this course no later than the first semester of their sophomore year, or in their first year as a history major if entering the major with sophomore standing or above.

What is HSTY 250? When should I take it?

HSTY 250: Historical Research and Writing is a course intended to introduce majors to the methods and practice of History. Course topics vary by instructor. The course includes a major research component. It is recommended that you take HSTY 250 during your sophomore year.

What is HSTY 450? When should I take it?

HSTY 450: History Seminar is the major capstone course in which you complete a major research project related to the course topic. Seminar topics vary by instructor; all topics are selected so as to allow you to pursue research in American, European, or World History. It is recommended that you take Seminar during your senior year and/or near completion of your major program of study.

How can I find out which professors will be teaching Historiography, HRW, or Seminar the semesters that I plan to take those courses?

HSTY 250 and HSTY 450 are tentatively scheduled one year in advance. Check the department website or contact the History Department Chair for instructor/topic information.

Advising
My advisor is away for a semester. How do I get a new advisor?

The History Department Chair will automatically assign you to a new advisor at the beginning of the new semester.

How can I learn about internship opportunities related to History?

Contact the History Department Internship Coordinator (Dr. Maria Bollettino) or visit Career Services (McCarthy Center 412). To receive academic credit for an internship you will need to complete the History Department Application for Internship.

How do I arrange to do an independent or directed study?

First contact the faculty member with whom you would like to work. If the faculty member is available to supervise your independent or directed study then s/he will work with you to determine the work-load, expectations, and schedule for your project. Together you will fill out either the Independent Study Form or Directed Study Form, which also require the signatures of your advisor and the Department Chair.

How often will I meet with my advisor and what happens at the meetings?

You are required to meet with your advisor at least once per academic semester prior to course registration. At these meetings you will review with your advisor your tentative schedule for the next semester as well as your progress in your program of study. Your advisor will give you a PIN number that will allow you to register for classes. Advisors also are available to meet with students throughout the semester during their scheduled office hours.