Daemen College : Academics & Research : Division of Arts & Sciences : History & Government : Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Degrees Offered

• Bachelor of Arts in History and Government
• Bachelor of Arts in History and Government - Adolescent Education: Social Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in History and Government - Environmental Studies Specialization
• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Minors

• History
• Political Science
• Criminal Justice
• Atlantic Studies
• Black Studies
• Women’s Studies
• Pre-Law Studies
• Public History
• Public Administration
• International Studies

Admission to Upper Division

Students intending to become History & Government majors must apply for upper division status once they have completed 45 credit hours, or its equivalent, of college study. This includes the required departmental courses listed below. The application material must be submitted either to the student’s advisor or the department chair. Students who fail to apply for upper division status in a timely manner will not be allowed to register for HG 331 or GVT 331, HG 442 and HG 443.

General Requirements for All History & Government Majors:

1. An overall grade point average of 2.0 or better.
2. A grade point average of 2.25 or better in History and Government courses.
3. Students must submit a writing sample or samples, totaling at least five pages, from History & Government courses
4. Students must have an updated portfolio in keeping with current College and departmental requirements.
5. Students are expected to have successfully completed the introductory level, or its equivalent, of the language requirement prior to admission to the upper division.

For History & Government, Education, and Environmental Studies majors:

Students must successfully complete the Introductory Seminar, World History I & II, American History I & II, Comparative Politics OR International Relations, and Introduction to American Politics OR State & Local Government.

For Political Science majors:

Students must successfully complete HG 103, GVT 101, GVT 113, GVT 121,  and GVT 125. 

Retention and Graduation Requirements:

Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0, including an overall GPA of 2.25 in History and Government courses.

1. Adolescent Education majors must have a GPA of at least 2.55, in both the major and overall, in order to participate in student teaching.
2. Students must complete any departmental portfolio requirements.
3. Students must successfully complete the thesis requirement.

Pre-Law

At Daemen College, Pre-Law is housed in the History and Government Department. Law School catalogs, advice in preparing for LSAT exams, and guidance in preparing for a career in law are available. There is also advisement regarding the Pre-Law individual plan of study. Pre-law students are routinely admitted as History & Government majors. A rigorous Pre-Law minor is now available to provide students with a broad preparation for law school. Depending on student preferences, however, many other fields in the liberal arts, sciences, and business can provide a sound preparation for the legal profession.

Pertinent Additional Information

Elective Options

1. Professional semester for students wishing certification in social studies at the secondary level (7-12).
2. Government internship: Credit on an individual basis for work on national, state or local government level.
3. Cooperative Education Plan: an opportunity to integrate a year of work experience with academic studies.
4. Area studies in Business, Computer Science, and other fields can be combined with a degree in History & Government.