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2024 - 2025

History is the study of past societies through the critical examination of available evidence including texts, words and objects. The Department of History offers students the opportunity to study both the distant and recent past by exploring a variety of different topics and themes. The analytical skills integral to studying history - essentially how people interacted with one another and their built and natural environments - provide students with opportunities to develop critical thinking and writing proficiencies in addition to an appreciation of past culture and societies.

See the "My Degree Tracker" link above, for a suggested pattern of course sequencing for this major.



Year One Year Two Year Three Year Four and Beyond
STUDIES
To earn a Bachelor of Arts you must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours including the following degree components: core requirements, major or honours program, minor or second major, and electives

Work towards the completion of the BA's core requirements. Record your progress in the degree tracker.

Ideally you should declare your major program by the end of the winter semester. Before you do,  meet with an HSS academic advisor to review your intended degree requirements.

Students who are not declared in an HSS major program (by the last day of exams for the winter semester) will not be eligible for the HSS Dean's List or HSS scholarships. 
Finalize the BA core requirements (CRW, LS, and QR). Declare your second required program (minor or second major). Consult Undergraduate Program Directors and the Calendar, including the general undergraduate academic regulations and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences regulations.

Meet with an HSS academic advisor to review progress in your degree program.

Why not consider:
Request an official degree audit when you complete 60 credit hours of course work.
Cross-check your degree advice with the University Calendar regulations, contact your department for information about honours program regulations/requirements.  Check your Departmental web page for ongoing research.

Meet with an HSS academic advisor to review progress in your degree program.

If interested in pursuing a Masters program, discuss this with your department.

Request an official degree audit when you complete 90 credit hours of course work.
Ensure all BA core requirements have been fulfilled.

Meet with an HSS academic advisor to review progress in your degree program.

When completing your final courses you must apply to graduate as per the steps to graduate web page.  Make sure you apply before the deadlines posted on this web page.

If you plan to attend convocation, keep an eye on the Convocation FAQ web page for information on registering for convocation (requesting tickets, booking academic dress, etc.).
STUDY TIPS





  • Request a final official degree audit after winter semester to ensure you are on track for graduation
  • Have questions about your official degree audit? Follow up with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Assistant Registrar at arts_registrar@mun.ca
  • Seek advice from instructors about graduate or professional schools
  • Consider grants for graduate or professional studies in the fall 
  • Be mindful of application deadlines for professional and graduate schools everywhere and apply early
  • Approach your instructors for academic references for future academic and professional endeavors 


  • In September - if you have not had an audit within the last 3 semesters, request one now. The audit will ensure you are on track for graduation
  • Finalize applications and academic references for professional or graduate school
  • Graduation process: Apply to graduate before the deadlines posted in the graduation menu of your Self-service account


CAREER
Pondering your future career interest?

  • Student Life offers career advice.  Consultations with an experienced career advisor as well as professional development events are available. Current students can book a Career advising appointment through Navigate.    
  • Explore career interests with Career Cruising
  • Learn how to build a professional resume/CV
  • Gain experience by getting involved on campus and in the community.  
Learn about the career versatility of the BA through BA Professional: A Career Conversation Series. Watch episodes on demand to hear from Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences alumni on how to build a successful career.

Explore career interests related to your major(s). Seek opportunities to network in your community.

Prepare for life after graduation.

INVOLVEMENT






GO ABROAD

  • Review your plan with the go abroad coordinator
  • Meet with department advisor to ensure you are academically on track to study abroad
  • Know application deadlines and apply early


Unpack your go abroad experience
  • Attend go abroad debrief and participate in a reflection
  • Add international experience to your resume/CV
  • Seek additional opportunities to work, volunteer and/or study abroad
WELL BEING
Well-being is integral to long-term student success. At Memorial we offer resources designed to maintain your health and equilibrium, and promote academic success.

If you're in distress or crisis reach out for help • Become aware of supports available through the MUN Safe app - it is your direct line to a safer Memorial University. If you need a doctor, go to Student Wellness and Counselling CentreHealth and Dental insurance is offered through MUNSU • Foster well-being through online and in-person supports • Open the conversation about sexual harassment • Be a money smart student - know your finances, if you are in need, emergency loans and the campus food bank are available The Works offers scheduled fitness programs and workout facilities • Living on-campus? Check out residence life • Living off-campus? Check out Off-Campus housing • Be safe with safedrive • Visit Wellness and Chaplaincy during exams • Still have questions? Checkout the wellness videos or talk to a counsellor. 
A graduate of Memorial’s history department, Jill Curran is the proprietor of Lighthouse Picnics, one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s premier tourist destinations.

After living abroad in New Zealand and Scotland, Jill returned home to Ferryland to restore the lighthouse that her great-grandfather once maintained. Called one of enRoute Magazine’s 100 favourite things to do in the world, among other accolades, Lighthouse Picnics brings thousands of tourists and visitors to Ferryland every year. Her first entrepreneurial success spurred Ms Curran to purchase Maximm Vacations in 2010 which offers customized self-drive and escorted tours of Atlantic Canada.

What would your undergraduate self think of your current job?

I think my undergraduate self would quite enjoy my current job, I am truly using the information I studied during my history degree. I took several courses with Dr. Shannon Ryan & Dr. Bill Kerns and I really do get to share the information I learned quite often with our guests.

What was your biggest challenge when arriving at university and how did you address this?

My biggest challenge at university was time management. I wanted to do everything! I volunteered a lot, went out with friends lots, was living on my own for the first time with friends, was taking a full course load…. so sometimes I would be amazed where the time went, and how that paper was now due tomorrow! I pulled some very late nights on many occasions!

What resources did you use while at Memorial?

In my quest to do everything, I used a lot of resources - I practically had a chair at the Centre for Newfoundland Studies! I attended seminars on health & wellness through the Wellness Centre, volunteered at the Student Volunteer Bureau (I ran it in my last year), attended fitness classes (having Dr. Noreen Golfman as an aerobics instructor sticks in my mind!), and used the services of the Career Counselling Centre. I also attended many seminars/information sessions on campus on a variety of subjects that were of interest to me. For example, the Fisheries Forum (the cod fishery had just closed and we were all in disbelief, and this was a group that met regularly to discuss the issues and what would be the future of the fishery), there were many others meetings/sessions I attended on topics ranging from low level flying in Labrador, the environment, etc. I remember there was a free seminar at the Arts & Culture Centre once with Dr. Gwynne Dyer.

Did you ever meet with advisors, faculty or staff while a student?

Through all the above activities I mentioned there was always a strong presence of MUN faculty and staff. I always thought this was great, because outside of class work, you could really hear their thoughts on various subjects they were passionate about. We had a very informal Irish History social club with Dr. Bill Kerns.

How did your extracurricular activities (on and off campus) influence your success?

I volunteered off campus with the Association for New Canadians and at the Grace Hospital. On campus I volunteered with various activities through the SVB, some that come to mind now include: Orientation, Santa Claus parade, children’s festivals, Bowl for the Kids, etc. All of these activities I think led me to look at life from different perspectives... from the need to do more, to the pure joy which comes from making a connection with someone and feeling you’ve both had a better day because of this conversation/connection.

Was there an experience you had during your university years that influenced or put you on a path to your current career?

Although I truly didn’t know at the time this was my career path, I think all the things I learned at Memorial have led me to where I am today. Even as a child I was passionate about history, I would hang out at our local museum, I spent hours and hours with my grandparents and their friends listening to all their stories about the past, the hardships, the fun and everyday life. When I went to Memorial for the first year I took a range of courses to see what I would do, I just naturally gravitated to history and all things Newfoundland and Labrador.

What advice do you have for undergraduate students?

It is so true that the world is at your fingertips at this point in your life. Get involved and see where your passion lies! Volunteer, join student groups, attend lectures for pure interest and all these experiences will help show you where your true passion lies. Overlay these experiences with your studies and you will see where you naturally gravitate and where you belong. 

 

Make sure that you are preparing for your future but do it in a way that you get to study things that genuinely interest you.

by Sophie St. Croix - BA ’09, Classics (Memorial), Juris Doctor 2013, Schulich School of Law (Dalhousie), currently an associate at Roebothan McKay Marshall (St. John's)