Special Programs

All students majoring in history may participate in the Undergraduate History Association and in Phi Alpha Theta, a national honorary society in history. Majors are also encouraged to attend the lectures, seminars, and films sponsored by the Department, including the annual Byrn History Lecture.

Certification for Teaching
History majors may chose to "double major" in Social Studies education, a prudent choice if interested in teaching. This may allow majors to pursue teacher certification and licensure. Peabody College is the first-ranked graduate education school in the country (US News and World Report, 2009). Another option is Peabody's fifth year Master's program for History majors interested in teaching. Upon graduating with a B.A. in History, History majors in our fifth year program would spend the next summer and academic year earning their M.Ed. and teaching licensure.

Students seeking teacher certification in history at the secondary level or in the social studies group plan at the secondary level should refer to the chapter on Certification for Teaching in the Peabody College section of the Undergraduate Catalog. Please contact Christian Sawyer, Peabody's Teacher in Residence 2008, and current MNPS social studies teacher with any questions. His email is christian.l.sawyer@vanderbilt.edu.

Study Abroad
No other major gives you so many different opportunities to receive direct credit for study abroad, both at Vanderbilt-in programs and at Vanderbilt-approved programs sponsored by other institutions. History majors with the appropriate qualifications are eligible to participate in a wide variety of programs for a semester, year, summer or Maymester. For a full listing please visit the Global Education Office’s website: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/geo.  Students may also apply to the Vanderbilt Committee on Individual Programs for transfer credit (hours only) from overseas programs other than those sponsored by Vanderbilt. More information is available from the Global Education Office, Suite 115, Student Life Center, and at www.vanderbilt.edu/geo. Before enrolling for history courses at other institutions, you should also consult with Professor Michael Bess, Director of Undergraduate Studies so that he may evaluate the course you are planning to take to make sure it will be eligible for Vanderbilt credit.

Transfer Credit for History Courses Taken at Other Institutions
If you need approval for a history course that you plan to take at another institution, please familiarize yourself with the History Department policy statement on transfer credit. You must get a form from 311 Kirkland Hall for transfer credit evaluation. Bring this form, and a copy of the syllabus to the History Department front office, Benson Hall room 227 to be dropped off for evalatuation by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

History Internships
Under faculty supervision, students from any discipline can gain experience in a broad range of public and private agencies, institutions, and programs. In some cases, such as historical societies or museums, history is a central part of the organization’s mission; in other cases, the student will play a role in managing the institution’s records or writing its history.

Students must have a 3.5 History grade point average, 6 hours of prior work in history and meet with Dean Francille Bergquist to discuss a specific plan BEFORE requesting permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Michael Bess. Please contact Dean Bergquist's assistant Vickie Latham for an appointment at 615-322-2844, or vickie.latham@vanderbilt.edu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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