History
Salve Regina University's bachelor's degrees in history strive to increase students' understanding of the past in order to give them a better perspective on the contemporary world. With training in research, writing and analysis, our majors are well prepared for graduate work as well as a variety of careers in such fields as education, government, museum studies and business.
Pursue Unique, Hands-On Experiences
While Salve Regina emphasizes American and European history, students learn to appreciate our multicultural world through a variety of courses on non-Western regions. We encourage majors to immerse themselves in other cultures through study abroad programs in such diverse locations as Italy, Egypt, France and Senegal.
Closer to home, we take full advantage of Salve Regina's location in Newport, a leading seaport in the Colonial and Revolutionary eras and a favorite summer destination for the wealthy during the Gilded Age. From courses on the religious history of Newport to internship opportunities at historical societies, archives and museums, we offer unique, hands-on learning experiences in a living historical environment.
Students may also choose to double major in history and secondary education, which prepares them to apply for Rhode Island teacher certification for grades 7-12. Through our popular accelerated program, qualified undergraduates can earn their bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in international relations within five years.
Program Spotlight: Extraordinary Journey
At Salve Regina, the pursuit of knowledge often leads students on extraordinary journeys that transcend the walls of the classroom. Sarah Kraus, a European history major with a minor in cultural and historic preservation, has nurtured her passion for Irish history through her recent study abroad program in Cork, Ireland.
From the green hills of Ireland back to the cobblestone streets of Newport, Kraus has utilized her hands-on experience abroad to land internships with the Museum of Newport Irish History and the Redwood Library.
Our Faculty
Our faculty are scholar-teachers whose areas of expertise include the American Revolution, the American immigrant experience and urban studies. In addition to providing world-class instruction, each of our faculty members has published a book with a leading university press.
Life After Salve
A degree in history develops students' analytical abilities and strengthens their research and writing skills. Salve Regina's curriculum prepares students for graduate programs, law school and a variety of career paths.
In the Workforce
- Teaching: Graduates teach at the high school or middle school level, in public and private schools.
- Museums, archives and public history: Graduates are working in museums, historical societies and libraries.
- Public service and government: Graduates have served in federal and state agencies along with political organizations.
- Business: Graduates work in banks, the insurance industry, information technology companies and real estate agencies.
Graduate and Law School
Graduates have pursued advanced degrees in law, history and related fields such as archival studies or education at institutions such as:
- Boston College
- Catholic Theological Union
- Middlebury Institute of International Studies
- New York University
- Northeastern University
- State University of New York
- Suffolk University
- Tulane University
- University of Connecticut
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Vermont
The history program gave me such a diverse pool of educational content that I felt like I was ready to teach any area of history after graduation. In my current position teaching AP U.S. history, I use so much of what I learned in class - I’m even using my old Salve notebooks to prepare lesson plans.
Michael McNamara ‘16
Social studies teacher, Ponaganset High School
Major in American History (B.A.)
12 courses | 37 credits
Required courses:
- HIS113: History of the United States to 1877
- HIS114: History of the United States Since 1877
- HIS270: The Historian's Craft
- HIS390: Historical Research Methods
- HIS490: Senior Thesis Capstone
- One European history elective
- One non-Western history elective
- One cultural and historic preservation elective
Students also choose four of the following:
- HIS225: Introduction to Public History
- HIS251: Sport in America
- HIS299/399: Special Topics in American History
- HIS313: American Immigrant Experience
- HIS316: American Economic History
- HIS320: The American Revolution
- HIS321: America's Civil War
- HIS322: Urban America
- HIS336: Vietnam War
- HIS340: History of Warfare
- HIS403: Modern America
- HIS415: Modern American Foreign Policy
- HIS422: American Presidency
Major in European History (B.A.)
12 courses | 37 credits
Required courses:
- HIS113: History of the United States to 1877 or HIS114: History of the United States Since 1877
- HIS201: Europe 1789-1914
- HIS202: Europe 1914-1990s
- HIS270: The Historian's Craft
- HIS390: Historical Research Methods
- HIS490: Senior Thesis Capstone
- One cultural and historic preservation elective
- One non-Western history elective
Students also choose four of the following:
- HIS203: Hitler and the Holocaust
- HIS306: Modern Germany
- HIS308: Modern France
- HIS309: Modern Russia
- HIS310: Modern England
- HIS311: Modern Ireland
- HIS312: Modern Italy
Major in History and Secondary Education (B.A.S.)
12 courses | 35 credits
To earn the double major, students complete the courses listed below and must also meet the requirements for secondary education.
Required courses:
- HIS080: Introduction to Geography
- HIS103: Western Civilization I: 500 B.C.-1500 A.D.
- HIS113: History of the United States to 1877
- HIS114: History of the United States Since 1877
- HIS270: The Historian’s Craft
- HIS390: Historical Research Methods
- HIS490: Senior Thesis Capstone
Students choose five additional courses in American history, European history and non-Western history.
Minor in History
6 courses | 18 credits
Required course:
- HIS113: History of the United States to 1877 or HIS114: History of the United States Since 1877
Students choose five additional courses in history, with a minimum of three in one concentration. At least three courses must be at the 200 level or higher.