Undergraduate

The Undergraduate Program

The History Major, Minor and Concentration 

History students at Columbia College or the School of General Studies can either choose a major or minor. For students who entered Columbia in or before the 2023-2024 academic year the History concentration is an additional option.

Once students declare History as their program of study with their home school they will be added to the History Department listserv to receive information including events, course listings, departmental updates, grants, scholarships, internship opportunities, and more.

All History students MUST submit a Plan of Study (POS) approved by an Undergraduate Education Committee (UNDED) advisor in order to graduate. On their POS, students choose their specialization, create their History course plan, and ensure that they are meeting the requirements of their program. Students must meet with a member of UNDED to review these forms, then file their signed Plan of Study forms with the Undergraduate Administrator. This form needs to be submitted twice, once in the spring of junior year and once during the fall of senior year.

Below is a summary of requirements for the major, minor and concentration:

• Seminar requirement: At least 2 of the 9 major courses are required to be seminars with at least 1 being a seminar in specialization
• Breadth requirement: 1 removed in time and 2 removed in space
• Majors may apply a maximum of 3 transfer or study-abroad courses toward the major, no more than 2 of which may be applied toward the specialization.
• More details can be found in the Undergraduate Handbook and Plan of Study Form

• Breadth (Removed-In-Time) requirement: Minor students must take at least one course from the pre-1750 period and at least one course from the post-1750 period to qualify for the History Minor. In other words, if a student takes four courses in the post-1750 period, they will be required to take one course in the pre-1750 period. Conversely, if a student takes four courses in the pre-1750 period, they will be required to take one course in the post-1750 period.
• The History minor does not require a seminar course.
• Transfer courses cannot be applied toward the History minor
• Up to 1 Columbia University study abroad course via Global Engagement (UGE) can be applied to the History minor. Course must be approved via a transfer credit request.
• More details can be found in the Undergraduate Handbook and Plan of Study Form

• The History concentration does not require a seminar course
• Breadth requirement: 1 removed in time and 1 removed in space
• Concentrators may apply a maximum of 2 transfer or study-abroad courses toward the minor, no more than 1 of which may be applied toward the specialization.
• Only students who entered Columbia in or before the 2023-2024 academic year are eligible.
• More details can be found in the Undergraduate Handbook and Plan of Study Form

Plan of Study Deadlines

December 1, 2024
Seniors

March 1, 2025
Juniors

These forms, which are required for graduation certification, must be signed by a member of the Undergraduate Education Committee (UNDED) and returned to the Undergraduate Administrator in 413 Fayerweather Hall*.

Failing to submit an UNDED approved POS can delay or prevent graduation!

*Please note: Currently we are accepting approved Plans of Study both in-person at the History Office (413 FAY) and via email.  Only PDFs are accepted via email and must have UNDED approver’s signature.