Minor Requirements

There are two minors in History, one for students pursuing Teacher Education with a major other than History and one (the “academic” minor) for undergraduates not in the teaching program who are majoring in any field other than History, Global History or History Education.

The teaching minor in History consists of the following requirements:

1. History courses: 22 credits
   • HST 140
   • HST 150
   • HST 201
   • HST 202
   • HST 203
   • HST 320
2. Geography Courses: 9 credits
   • GEO 204
   • GEO 221
   • GEO 330

The academic minor in History consists of HST 201 and four other History courses, two of which must be at the upper level (3xx or 4xx).  Only 3 credits may be from Advanced Placement or other transfer credits.

Frequently asked questions applicable to both minors:

1. Is there a History Club? Yes! The History Club is open to all students, whatever their major. Announcements are posted on Professor Tabuteau’s listserv. Learn more here!
2. Is there an honor society in history? The History honor society in Phi Alpha Theta. There is a chapter in this department. You do not need to be a History major to be a member of Phi Alpha Theta, but you must have a certain number of credits in History at Michigan State and you must have a certain GPA in those courses. For further information, consult the Phi Alpha Theta faculty adviser, [name and e-mail here].

Frequently asked questions about the teaching minor:

1. How does my AP history affect my minor? . If you took the AP exam in World history and got a grade of 3, 4 or 5, you received 8 credits for HST 140 and 150. If you took the AP exam in American history and got a grade of 3, 4 or 5, you received 8 credits for HST 202 and HST 203.  These courses count towards the credits you need to complete your minor in History. If you took the AP exam in World or American History and got a grade of 2, you received a waiver, which means that your record will show that you have taken HST 140 and 150 or HST 202 and 203.  You did not, however, receive credit for waived courses, so you will have to complete the full 20-credit minimum which the State of Michigan requires for a teaching minor. AP credit in European history is not relevant to the minor. If any of your AP credits in history were used to fulfill your University requirement for courses in Integrative Studies in Arts and Humanities (IAH), you cannot also use those credits towards your history minor. You will need to substitute enough other credits in History to complete the full 20-credit minimum which the State requires for a minor.
2. How do I declare my minor? Once you are admitted to the College of Education, you will need to declare your minor to them. You do not formally declare your minor to the History Department, but you are welcome to consult the History adviser (Dr. Tabuteau) about any questions you may have.

Frequently asked questions about the academic minor:

1. How does my AP history affect my minor? . If you took one or more AP exams in history and got a grade of 3, 4 or 5, you received 8 credits for the appropriate courses at MSU (HST 140 and 150, HST 202 and 203, and/or HST 205 and 206). One of these courses may be used in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the academic minor in History.
2. How do I declare my minor?  Visit Professor Tabuteau in her office hours or e-mail her Tabuteau@msu.edu with your name, student number and the information that you wish to be coded for the academic minor in History.