Minor in History
Thank you for your interest in UCLA’s Minor in History, based in the Department of History. The History minor consists of 7 courses in history (two lower-division—the preparation for the minor; 5 upper-division—the minor). Each course must be taken for a letter grade. Successful completion of the minor is indicated on the student’s transcripts and diploma. For questions, please e-mail the History Undergraduate Counselors at Undergrad@history.ucla.edu.
The Nature of the Subject
The minor in History takes as its subject matter the ideas, practices, and peoples of the world, and introduces students to historical processes and institutions. The History minor at UCLA aims to give undergraduates majoring in fields other than History the opportunity to pursue a rigorous program of analysis of the historical dimension. For all students, studying the role of history in culture and society contributes to their ability to think critically and write analytically.
Declaring the History Minor
Students are eligible to declare the minor after completing 45 units and at least one lower division history course with a passing letter grade, with a minimum grade-point average of 2.0.
Students interested in declaring the History minor may complete the History Minor Request Form below.
Organization of the Minor
Requirements for the minor are seven classes: these include any two lower-division and five upper-division History courses.
The lower-division requirement is designed to give the student a broad understanding (in time and space) of historical development on various topics. These classes are large and medium-size lecture courses with discussions led by TAs. Students in good academic standing (2.0), who have completed 45 units, may declare the minor after they have completed one of the lower division History courses.
The upper-division requirement of five courses allows students to choose from an array of more focused classes. In the upper-division history classes, students may give oral reports, engage in the discussion and analysis of historical scholarship, and do individual research projects. Some of these classes will be seminars, limited in enrollment to 15 and usually require a longer research paper or interpretive essay.
Each minor course must be taken for a letter grade, and students must have an overall grade-point-average of 2.0 or better. Successful completion of the minor is indicated on the student’s transcripts and diploma.
- A maximum of 4 units of special studies courses (History 199) approved by the department counselor may be applied towards the minor.
- A maximum of 4 units of Capstone seminars (History 191) may be applied towards the minor.
- A maximum of 4 units of Historiography seminars (History 187) may be applied towards the minor.
- A minimum of 20 units applied towards the minor requirements must be in addition to units applied towards the major requirements or another minor.
