Program Overview:
The major in History is designed to provide a liberal, career-oriented education for students seeking employment in government, foreign service, museums, business, industry, and teaching; to prepare students for law school; and to prepare students of demonstrated competence for graduate study in History or Political Science.
For History, Political Science, and History/Political Science majors, Albany is an ideal location. Political Science internships and history field experiences are readily available. Field experiences are designed to provide students interested in history with an opportunity to investigate public history by working at historic sites, in museums and in historical organizations. Internships are designed to provide students interested in politics with an opportunity to study the political process first hand by working in the New York State Legislature, public offices, law firms, and community agencies. Students are encouraged to take 3-15 credit hours of history field experience or political science internships as part of their general electives for their degree program. They may also pursue up to six credit hours in independent study or directed readings after completing the required upper-division coursework in that geographic area or subfield. At least 33 of the 45 credits required in the major must be completed at The College of Saint Rose. Departmental majors are required to fulfill their upper division courses in residence.
To strengthen their ability to think critically and present their ideas effectively, all majors are required to take an introductory research methods workshop, upper-division courses that emphasize acquisition of analytical and research skills, and a senior capstone seminar. In this seminar, faculty specialists address a particular topic or related topics and engage with the students in open discussion. Students are normally required to conduct research on these topics and to prepare oral and written presentations. The seminars are usually restricted to seniors.
Program Contacts:
Dr. Ryane McAuliffe Straus
Chair, History & Political Science Department
Email: strausr@mail.strose.edu
Program Webpage: https://www.strose.edu/history-and-political-science/
Program Requirements:
Major in History (45 credits)
| HIS 100 | Intro:History & Politics | 1 |
| HIS 213 | Fndtns of Europe:Antiq-Mid Age | 4 |
| HIS 214 | Modern Europe | 4 |
| HIS 226 | US History to 1865 | 4 |
| HIS 227 | US History since 1865 | 4 |
| | Two 200-level History courses | 8 |
| | Four upper-division History Courses | 16 |
| HIS 498 | Capstone Seminar | 4 |
Upper Division Requirements: A total of 4 upper-division (300- or 400-level) history courses must be taken in two out of the following five geographic areas: Africa, Asia/Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and the United States (16 credits).
Additionally, students must complete the Capstone Seminar (4 credits).
Independent Study Policy:
Independent studies provide intensive advanced opportunities for motivated students to deepen their exploration of a topic that they’ve already demonstrated interest and mastery over based upon successful completion of an introductory course.
Independent studies, moreover, are designed to offer exposure to intellectual work that does not fall within the required curriculum and is not offered in the regular course rotation. Independent studies cannot be used as a substitute for academic requirements in the major or concentration.
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
For History majors, Albany is an ideal location. History field experiences are readily available. See Internships for History Majors, on the website. Field experiences are designed to provide students interested in history with an opportunity to investigate public history by working at historic sites, in museums and in historical organizations. Internships are designed to provide students interested in politics with an opportunity to study the political process first hand by working in the New York State Legislature, public offices, law firms, and community agencies. Students are encouraged to take 3-15 credit hours of history field experience or political science internships as part of their general electives for their degree program. They may also pursue up to six credit hours in independent study or directed readings after completing the required upper-division coursework in that geographic area or subfield. At least 33 of the 45 credits required in the major must be completed at The College of Saint Rose. Departmental majors are required to fulfill their upper division courses in residence.
Culminating Academic Experiences:
Required Course:
The Capstone Seminar topic changes each semester.
Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:
This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 120 overall credits. It should be used along with your Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.
First Year
Fall
HIS 100 Intro to Methods - 1 cr.
HIS 226 US to 1865 - 4 cr
HIS XXX 100 or 200 course (HIS 215 rec) – 4 cr.
ENG 105 Composition (L01) – 4 cr.
PHI or RLS (L06) – 3 cr.
_______________________________
16 cr.
Spring
HIS 227 US since 1865 – 4
HIS XXX 100/ 200 course (HIS 260 Tr-Atl rec) – 4
POS (L10) (POS 112 or POS 142 rec.) 4
Math (L07) – 3
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15 cr.
Sophomore Year
Fall
HIS 213 Foundations of Europe – 4
HIS 2XX elective – 4
Literature (L04) – 4
Language (L02) – 3
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15 cr.
Spring
HIS 214 Modern Europe – 4
HIS 3XX (US rec) – 4
CIS (L08) – 3
Lab Science (L09) – 4
________________________________
15 cr.
Junior Year
Fall
HIS 3XX - 4
SOC or PSY (L11) – 3
HIS XXX elective – 4
Any dis. elective – 3-4
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14-15 cr.
Spring
HIS 3XX – 4
HIS or POS elective – 4
HIS or POS elective – 4
Any dis. elective – 3-4
_____________________
15-16 cr.
Senior Year
Fall
HIS 3XX – 4
HIS or POS elective – 4
Any dis. electives – 4-8
HIS 499 (opt ind-st) 1-5
____________________
13-17 cr.
Spring
HIS 498 Capstone – 4
Any dis electives – 6-8
HIS 499 (opt ind-st) 1-5
______________________
13-17 cr.
Professional Accreditation:
The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.
The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org
Career Opportunities and Graduate Studies:
The major in History is designed to provide a liberal, career-oriented education for students seeking employment in government, foreign service, museums, business, industry, and teaching; to prepare students for law school; and to prepare students of demonstrated competence for graduate study in History or Political Science.
Admissions and Financial Aid Information:
The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of Freshman applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete an application as early as November. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.
What Makes an Application Complete
- Online or Paper application (fee waived for online applicants!)
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
- SAT or ACT scores (See Test Optional FAQ's)
- Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
- Essay or Graded Paper
- Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
- Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.
Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)
Scholarships and Financial Aid
See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.
The Bottom Line
The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we still award more than $25 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.
Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.
More about Financial Aid
Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make you education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.
The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.
Find Out More: