Douglas Olsen
While American colleges require students to take certain courses in high school to apply, only a small percentage of universities require students to take an American history course to graduate. According to a 2016 report from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), only 18% of four-year colleges require a foundational course in US history or government. This percentage has decreased over time, with 16 of the top 50 colleges offering mandatory or preferred survey courses in American history in 1964, compared to none in 1993. While some universities, such as the University of California at Berkeley, have American history requirements for all students, others offer more flexible options or do not include American history in their history major curricula. This has sparked debates about the importance of civic education and the potential consequences of historical illiteracy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of universities requiring American History to graduate | 18% |
| Percentage of colleges requiring a foundational course in US history or government | 18% |
| Percentage of students who could accurately identify the effect of the Emancipation Proclamation | <20% |
| Percentage of college graduates unaware FDR introduced the New Deal | 33% |
| Percentage of Americans who would be able to pass the US citizenship test | 33% |
| Percentage of Americans who knew the Constitution is the “supreme law of the land” | 30% |
| Percentage of Americans who could name the three branches of government | 22% |
| Percentage of respondents who said the right to bear arms was guaranteed by the First Amendment | 16% |
| Universities requiring American History | Berkeley, University of California, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Universities not requiring American History | Harvard, Yale, Princeton, UNC-Chapel Hill, UCLA, Stanford |
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What You'll Learn
University of California Berkeley requires American History
The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the colleges that require students to study American History. The American History and Institutions (AH&I) requirements are based on the principle that a US resident graduating from an American university should have an understanding of the history and governmental institutions of the United States.
Students can satisfy the AH&I requirements before enrolling at Berkeley in the following ways: High School Course Work: By satisfying the portion of the area “History/Social Science (a)” requirement for freshman admission that consists of one year of U.S. history; or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government with letter grades of C or better. SAT Exam: By passing the SAT Subject Test in US history with a score of 550 or better (500 or better if taken before April 1995). Advanced Placement: By passing the Advanced Placement (AP) ‘United States History’ exam with a score of 3 or better. International Baccalaureate Exam: By passing the International Baccalaureate Higher Level (IB-HL) History of the Americas exam with a score of 5 or higher.
After enrolling at Berkeley, students who have not already satisfied the AH&I requirements may pursue one of the following options: Berkeley Coursework: Complete either two pre-approved courses on the Berkeley campus with a grade of C- or higher or P, to include one course from the ‘American History Requirement’ list, and a second course from the ‘American Institutions Requirement’ list below, or complete one approved course from the ‘Both American History and American Institutions’ list. Other College or University: Complete two pre-approved UC-transferable courses (one course for American History and another for American Institutions) of at least 4 quarter or 3 semester units with a grade of C or higher or P (if Pass is equivalent to a C [2.00]).
Students with a current nonimmigrant Visa Status (F is the most common) are exempted from this requirement once they complete 90.5 units, so long as their visa status does not change prior to graduation. It is important to note that the AH&I requirements constitute two of the University's graduation requirements.
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Exemptions for UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley requires students to take American History and Institutions (AH&I) courses to graduate. However, the university provides several exemptions for students to fulfil the AH&I requirements.
Firstly, students with a non-immigrant visa status (F-1 is the most common type) are exempted from the AH&I requirement once they complete 90.5 units, provided their visa status doesn't change before graduation. Additionally, international students who graduated from a California high school or transferred from a California community college may have already satisfied the AH&I requirements with their previous curriculum.
Furthermore, students can fulfil the AH&I requirements before enrolling at Berkeley through various means. One way is by completing one year of U.S. history in high school with a grade of C or better. Alternatively, students can pass the SAT Subject Test in US history with a score of 550 or higher or achieve a score of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement (AP) 'United States History' exam.
After enrolling at Berkeley, students who have not met the AH&I requirements can do so by completing specific coursework. They can either take two pre-approved courses on the Berkeley campus, with one course from the 'American History Requirement' list and the other from the 'American Institutions Requirement' list, achieving a grade of C- or higher in both. Or, they can complete two pre-approved UC-transferable courses, one for American History and another for American Institutions, with a grade of C or higher.
Additionally, students who are unmarried dependent children, spouses, or registered domestic partners of full-time University of California employees working outside California may be eligible for a waiver of non-resident supplemental tuition. Furthermore, if a student or their parents are temporarily absent from California, they may not lose their resident status, provided they can demonstrate an intent to remain permanently domiciled in the state.
Lastly, UC Berkeley offers specific exemptions for Native American graduates of a BIA (Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs) School in California and student athletes in training at a U.S. Olympic Training Center in California.
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US History not required for history majors
US History is not a required course for history majors at most top universities in the United States. According to a report by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), less than one-third of the top 25 liberal arts colleges, national universities, and public institutions require US History as a staple course for history majors. This trend is not limited to history majors, as ACTA found that only 18% of four-year colleges require a foundational course in US History or government.
The lack of US History education in colleges and universities has led to concerns about “historical illiteracy” and its impact on civic engagement. ACTA's “A Crisis in Civic Education” study revealed that a majority of college graduates lacked basic knowledge about American history and civic processes. For example, one-third were unaware that FDR introduced the New Deal.
Some universities, such as UNC-Chapel Hill, allow students to fulfill their general education history requirement with courses that do not focus on American history, such as "Love and Politics in Early India" or "Samurai, Monks, and Pirates: History and Historiography of Japan's Long 16th Century."
While there is no uniform requirement for US History in colleges, some universities like Berkeley have established the American History and Institutions (AH&I) requirements. Students can satisfy these requirements through specific high school courses, SAT Subject Tests, Advanced Placement exams, or approved Berkeley and UC-transferable courses.
The decline in US History education has sparked debates about the role of universities in promoting civic education and addressing historical ignorance among students and the general public.
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Civic education and community service
However, many colleges and universities do not require students to study history, and even fewer require a course in US history. A 2016 ACTA report found that only 18% of four-year colleges require a foundational course in US history or government. This figure has declined since 1964, when 16 of the top 50 colleges had mandatory or preferred survey courses in American history. The University of California at Berkeley is a rare example of an elite college with an American history requirement for all students, although students can gain exemption through high school credits or high scores on AP or SAT exams.
Some universities, such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, have introduced a "US Diversity" requirement, but critics argue that the majority of courses are too narrow or non-American-focused to provide an understanding of the US government. While some states require one or two semesters of civics education in high school, this does not guarantee that students will develop an understanding of American history and civic processes.
Universities have been accused of confusing community service and student activism with civic education, and of promoting material that depicts America negatively. However, academic studies have found little evidence that better civics knowledge improves civic engagement, although it may increase political expression.
Despite the low number of universities requiring US history courses, students at many colleges are technically required to take a history course to fulfil their general education requirements.
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SAT and AP exam exemptions
The SAT and AP exams are both standardised tests used for college admissions in the United States. The SAT exam is a multiple-choice test that assesses students' knowledge in various subjects, while the AP exams are more advanced tests that cover specific subjects in greater depth. Both exams are designed to help colleges evaluate applicants' academic abilities and preparedness for college-level coursework.
Some colleges and universities may grant exemptions from the SAT and AP exams under certain circumstances. Here are some scenarios where exemptions may be considered:
Prior Coursework or Credits:
Students who have completed relevant coursework or earned transfer credits from another college or university may be exempt from taking the SAT or AP exams. For example, at the University of California, Berkeley, students who have satisfied the American History and Institutions (AH&I) requirements through equivalent coursework at another institution may be exempt from taking the SAT or AP exams in US History.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses:
Students who have successfully completed Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school may be exempt from taking the corresponding AP exam. AP courses are college-level classes offered in high schools, and some colleges may accept these courses for credit, eliminating the need for the AP exam.
International Students:
International students applying to American colleges may not always be required to take the SAT or AP exams. Each college has its own admission requirements for international students, which may include alternative exams or evaluations.
Transfer Students:
Students transferring from other colleges or universities may be exempt from SAT or AP exam requirements, especially if they have completed equivalent coursework at their previous institution. Transfer students should consult the specific policies of their intended college regarding exam exemptions.
Special Circumstances:
In certain cases, students with special circumstances, such as documented disabilities or other exceptional situations, may be granted exemptions from the SAT or AP exams. Accommodations and alternatives may be provided to ensure equitable opportunities for all applicants.
It is important to note that exemption policies vary across colleges and universities. Students should refer to the specific guidelines of their intended college or university to understand the requirements and exemptions for SAT and AP exams. Additionally, some colleges may have different policies for specific majors or programmes, so it is advisable to review the admissions criteria thoroughly.
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Frequently asked questions
No, universities do not require students to study American history. A 2016 report from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) called the lack of knowledge "a crisis in civic education". ACTA found that only 18% of four-year colleges require a foundational course in US history or government.
Almost all American colleges require students to take certain courses in high school to apply. If colleges do have such a requirement, they typically require "Social Studies", which is a more general category than "History". However, some schools require students to take at least 1 year of US History, including the University of California (UC) colleges.
The University of California at Berkeley is one of the few elite colleges with an American history requirement for all students. Students take one class in American history and one class in American institutions. However, students can get an exemption with their high school credits or a high score on their AP or SAT exams.
No, history majors do not need to study American history to complete their degree requirements. However, they must take a class in African, Asian, Middle Eastern, or Latin American history to do so.
