Determine which field of history you want to study. There are a variety of history fields that you can choose from. You can study U.S. history, world history, western civilization, eastern civilization or more specific fields of study. Some of these can include areas like Latin America, Africa, Medieval Europe, ancient Greece, ancient Egypt, the history of medicine, military history, and even social and intellectual history. By knowing which field you wish to study, it will be easier for you to determine which school you need to attend.
Research schools and submit applications for admission to as many of the schools as possible. Things to consider in your research and school selection can include the different types of degree programs offered, prominent faculty members, whether or not the school has an established reputation, and the school's location and cost.
Enroll in classes and complete your general education courses. During your first two years of study, you will need to take courses in a wide variety of fields outside of history. You may still take foundational survey courses in history like U.S. History and Western Civilization, but you will also be taking courses in areas like English composition, English literature, psychology, sociology, biology, physical science, speech and communication, college algebra, humanities and philosophy. These courses are designed to give you a well-rounded education in conjunction with your history courses.
Complete courses in the field of history that are specific to your degree plan. Generally, at the undergraduate level, a history major will pursue approximately 30 hours in the field of history. Some schools simply require you to pick 10 courses in areas of history that are of interest to you, while others have more complex curriculum requirements. For instance, the University of Michigan requires a total of 12 courses as part of its major. Students first take survey courses in their major area of concentration and then take additional higher-level courses
Complete your senior thesis paper. Some schools require a senior thesis in their history degree program. For the senior thesis, students work closely with a faculty adviser to conduct research in their area of concentration. The result of the research is usually a paper of substantial length that serves as a testimony to the knowledge you've gained in the field of history. Some schools require other types of capstone projects. Research papers and projects of this sort are usually the final requirement of your degree program.