Bachelor of Arts in History
Engage in the thoughtful exploration and interpretation of the interplay between people, political institutions, religions, cultures, economics, and other forces that have created the world we live in today. You’ll gain invaluable skills in critical and analytical thinking, research, information assessment and distillation, making evidence-based decisions, and more.

Learn how to put current local, regional, national, and international events into perspective while gaining critical skills that are highly valued in our ever-evolving world.
- Develop and refine core skills and abilities that will serve as the foundation of your lifelong success, regardless of your career path: critical and analytical thinking, effective verbal and written communication, research and assessment, documenting and understanding evidence, and using your historical knowledge to discover solutions to today’s problems
- Engage in the Wyatt Exploration Program, which sponsors campus events and extracurricular activities, while offering an annual study abroad opportunity to select history majors and minors
- Apply your learning through faculty-led research opportunities through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, or in a number of internships or volunteer roles throughout the Flint community
Program Spotlight
Developed by Thomas Henthorn, Wyatt Endowed Professor of Public History, the History Machine is a community engagement program focused on finding and sharing stories that matter.
The first series he developed is Built for Belief, which explores local places of worship and their historical and contemporary impacts on the Flint community.
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Why earn your bachelor’s degree in History at UM-Flint?
Engage in essential work in the community
We partner with local organizations to offer internship opportunities, which can be applied toward course credit. Some of the organizations we work with include:
Connect with world-class faculty
Our history faculty are specialists in a variety of fields and engage in regular research and community activities, which you can participate in.
You can work with faculty and your peers on the historic preservation of local cemeteries, offering an essential restorative service to the local community.
Or you can gain hands-on training and experience in the ancient art of blacksmithing at the UM-Flint-sponsored Forge at Factory Two.
Last, but certainly not least, the Wyatt Exploration Program connects history minors and majors to curated events and activities, as well as study abroad opportunities.
Broaden your perspective
While a degree in history is broad, UM-Flint offers a variety of minors and certificates to enhance your knowledge and experience. Popular programs include:
- Africana Studies Minor (opens in new tab)
- Anthropology Minor (opens in new tab)
- Art History Minor (opens in new tab)
- Economics Minor (opens in new tab)
- Economics and Data Analytics Minor (opens in new tab)
- Humanistic Inquiry in the Liberal Arts Certificate (opens in new tab)
- Information Literacy and Inquiry Certificate (opens in new tab)
- International and Global Studies Minor (opens in new tab)
- Middle Eastern Studies Minor (opens in new tab)
- Philosophy Minor (opens in new tab)
- Preservation Studies Minor (opens in new tab)
- Professional Writing Minor (opens in new tab)
- Psychology Minor (opens in new tab)
- Sociology Minor (opens in new tab)
- Women's and Gender Studies Minor (opens in new tab)
Free Tuition with the Go Blue Guarantee!
UM-Flint students are automatically considered for the Go Blue Guarantee upon admission, a historic program offering free tuition for high-achieving, in-state undergraduates from lower-income households. Learn more about the Go Blue Guarantee to see if you qualify and how affordable a Michigan degree can be.
Curriculum Overview
UM-Flint offers a Bachelor of Arts in History and a History Minor. We also offer a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Social Sciences.
BA in History
Building on your foundational courses, you’ll engage in a robust exploration of history —from the U.S. to the Western and non-Western worlds. A selection of electives allows you to focus on a specific area of interest.
History Minor
This 21-credit program provides an overview of U.S. and Western world history, complemented by a selection of electives in your area of interest.
BA in Integrated Social Sciences
Explore the intersection of people and their economic, social, and political institutions. You’ll have the option to select a primary discipline, complemented by two other disciplines, from anthropology, economics, history, political science, psychology, and sociology.
Career Outlook
Your BA in History opens many career paths—from working in museums or libraries to sharing your expertise as a consultant, writer, or teacher. The program also provides foundational skills that will serve you well in graduate studies, specifically law school.
Here are a few career paths our alumni have taken, along with their 2024 median annual pay:
- Archivists, Curators, and Museum Workers: $57,100
- High School Teachers: $64,580 [Requires additional certification; explore our Degrees in Secondary Education program]
- Historians: $74,050
- Librarians and Library Media Specialists: $64,320
- Writers and Authors: $72,270
Admission Requirements
Whether you’re a first-year student or a transfer student, we aim to keep the admissions process simple, saving you time and money. We accept applications on a rolling basis; however, we recommend submitting all application materials at least 1 month before you plan to start your first semester. Review our academic calendars to learn more.
When applying to UM-Flint’s BA in History program, please submit the following:
- A completed online or paper application
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
- Review UM-Flint’s complete undergraduate admission requirements.
Have questions about our admissions requirements or application process? Please contact our Office of Undergraduate Admissions at admissions.flint@umich.edu for more detailed information.
Academic Advisor
Scholarships for History students
Each year, the UM-Flint history program awards more than $30,000 in scholarships to history majors and minors. Scholarships specifically for history students include:
- John Ellis Scholarship
- Richard Gilder Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Richard Gilder Merit Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Roy S. Hanashiro Scholarship
- Thomas Henthorn Scholarship
- Douglas Knerr Scholarship
- Christopher Molnar Scholarship
- Colonel T.B.W. Stockton Scholarship
- Kenneth B. West Scholarship
- Wyatt Incentive Scholarship
- Wyatt Internship Scholarship
- Wyatt Merit Scholarship
Our Office of Financial Aid also offers a variety of other scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. They’re all part of our effort to make your world-class UM-Flint education affordable.