Frequently Asked Questions

First-year students

1. How do I enroll for a freshman seminar in History?

In the fall, you enroll during Orientation through the regular registration process in Yale Course Search

2. As a first-year student, am I limited to freshman seminars and History lecture courses?

No. First Year students may attempt to register for any history course. However, First Year students may not participate in preregistration for the Spring semester. Declared First-Year students may participate in preregistration for courses taking place their sophomore year. The registrar will email you the link if this applies to you.

3. Do I need to take my History lecture courses in a particular sequence?

No. Each course is self-contained and stands on its own. You are responsible only for the material that is presented in the course.

4. How do I get into a History lecture course?

You can register for HIST lecture courses during the normal registration period or during Add/Drop at the start of each semester.

5. Do Directed Studies courses count towards the History major?

DRST 0005 and DRST 0006 (Historical and Political Thought) both count towards the History major and the European distribution requirement. DRST 0005 also counts towards the Pre-Industrial requirement.

6. In high school I earned AP credits in History. Does this allow me to “place out” of certain History courses?

The History Department does not allow students to use AP credits to “place out” of History courses. All History majors need to take a minimum of 10 History courses and complete a 2-semester or 1-semester senior essay.

History Majors

1. How do I become a declared History major?

You declare the major on line using Yale HUB.

2. What are the prerequisites for declaring the History major?

Students must complete two courses in History before declaring the major. If you have not completed two courses, you may declare the major only after consultation with and written permission of the DUS.

3. What are the requirements of the History major?

Please see the separate section “Requirements of the Major” available on the history department’s web site.

4. How do I declare a Track within the History major?

All students are required to choose either the Global or Specialist track within the History major. This process is administered through the Yale HUB site.

5. Can I change my Track or area of specialization?

Students may change their track or area of specialization as late as the end of the registration period in the first semester of senior year.

7. How do I pre-register for departmental seminars?

Pre-registration for departmental seminars is done on-line. All declared History majors will receive an e-mail each semester giving them instructions for pre-registration for departmental seminars being offered the following semester. Remember that pre-registration is limited to declared History majors.

8. I missed all of the deadlines for seminar pre-registration. Can I still get into a seminar?

Yes. You may petition for admission through the regular registration process. Many departmental seminars still have openings at the beginning of the semester. Be sure to show up at the first meeting. Final admission will be at the discretion of the instructor.

9. Do I have to write a senior essay?

Yes. All students must write either a 2-semester (required for distinction in the major) or 1-semester senior essay. For details of the essay requirement, see the “Requirements of the Major” available on the history department’s web site.

10. Do Directed Studies courses count towards the History major?

11. Do History courses taken for Credit/D/Fail count towards the History major?

Up to two lecture courses taken for Credit/D/Fail may be counted towards the major and may be used to fulfill geographical or pre-industrial distribution requirements. Please note that taking a course for Credit/D/Fail makes it more difficult to achieve Distinction in the major because a grade of “Credit” counts as a “non-A.”

12. I am taking a course that covers more than one geographical distribution credit area. How do I get distribution credit for it?

As a general rule, if the course material is evenly divided between more than one geographical distribution areas, then the topic of your research paper tips the balance one way or the other.

13. Can a single course be used to fulfill more than one requirement?

Yes. A junior seminar on Medieval Europe, for example, can be used to fulfill the departmental seminar requirement, the European history requirement, and the pre-industrial requirement.

14. I took a course in another department that had a lot of history in it. Can I count it toward the History Major?

In general, courses that count toward the History major are (a) courses that originate in the History Department and therefore carry HIST numbers, or (b) courses originating in another department that are double-titled and therefore carry a HIST number. If a course that originates in another department does not carry a HIST number, it does not automatically count toward the History major.

Students may, however, petition the Director of Undergraduate Studies to count a course from another department toward the History major requirements. The relevant form is available online. Students will need to submit a full syllabus and the midterm or final paper from the non-departmental course. Final determination will be at the discretion of the DUS.

For questions about courses taken abroad or at other American universities, please see the “Study Abroad FAQ.”

Studying abroad

1. I am planning to study abroad during my junior year. Is there anything I need to do to prepare ahead for completing the History major?

Studying abroad can be a wonderful experience for students in all majors, especially History. Students majoring in History who study abroad generally do not have a problem completing the relevant requirements during their semesters at Yale. However, students may want to plan ahead by enrolling in at least one departmental seminar during the sophomore year, or enrolling two departmental seminars during the same on-campus semester during the junior year. Students may also want to pay particular attention to geographic and pre-industrial distributional requirements rather than leave their completion until senior year. Finally, students who study abroad during the spring semester of junior year may want to plan ahead for the senior essay by speaking with possible faculty advisers during the fall semester of junior year.

2. Once I am abroad, how do I select courses that will count towards the History major?

In choosing history courses while you are abroad, please make sure that they are clearly marked as HISTORY courses, and not listed as civilization courses, politics courses, international relations courses, art history courses, etc. Final determination of credit towards the History major will be made after you return.

3. How do I receive credit towards the History major after I return to Yale?

You must fill out a pink Course Certification Form in the undergraduate History office, HQ 212, and turn in copies of your transcript, syllabus, and any papers or exams that you wrote.

4. How many History courses taken abroad can I count towards the History major?

Up to three courses for students who take a semester abroad, and up to six courses for students who take a full junior year abroad, provided that the courses are approved and credited by the History DUS.

5. Do grades received in courses taken abroad count in the calculation of Distinction in the History major?

Yes. The grades you earn abroad will not appear on your Yale transcript (only the course name and the credits earned), but the History Department keeps a copy of your transcript from your Study Abroad university and uses it in determining Distinction in the major.

6. Because I was abroad during my junior year, I need to take a junior seminar in my senior year to fulfill the requirements. How can I get in?

It is advisable to pre-register for a departmental seminar while you are abroad. Declared History majors will be alerted by e-mail about the pre-registration deadlines and procedures. Seniors who were abroad during their junior year and need another departmental seminar in order to graduate receive priority in admission. Be sure to let the instructor know that you need the seminar in order to graduate as a History major.