W. Marshall Johnston, Ph.D.
Professor, Ancient History and Classics
What is possible when studying history helps you shape your future?
Anything.
Understanding history is key to preparing for the future.
As a history major at Fresno Pacific University, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the ancient, medieval and modern world through primary sources and in-depth seminars.
Visit the Holocaust Museum as part of your Nazi Germany studies and dive into your family history in your American Ethnicity class. This flexible major allows you to emphasize in the historical areas that interest you most.
You’ll learn beyond the classroom by participating in field studies at local and regional museums and events, and you’ll have the opportunity to study abroad in places like Italy, Turkey, Vietnam or Israel.
Program Highlights
- Learn from faculty with experience spanning service in the armed forces to teaching abroad
- Study religion in history and culture, exploring how they shape each other
- Participate in sponsored events and conferences
- Engage in off-campus summer and study abroad programs
- Work closely with faculty in other disciplines based on your interest to enrich your research
Yes! Tell Me More!
Loading...
Catalog
Program Director: W. Marshall Johnston, Ph.D.
Overview
The history major gives students a broad familiarity with human history, both Western and world, as a means of developing critical understanding and insight into how they might live now and in the future. The program engages students in deliberately rigorous intellectual development, and particularly focuses on the influence of religion in history. The exploration and discovery of lived human experience in the past (of church and world) is informed by a Christian/Anabaptist worldview. Upon completion of the major, students will be prepared to pursue advanced study in the disciplines of history, theology and philosophy, and in fields such as secondary teaching, law, library science, archival management and public history.
Students interested in majoring in history should complete their prerequisite courses during their freshman and sophomore years. Courses in their major should be selected in consultation with their major advisor. Personalized majors in specialized areas of history may be presented to the history faculty for consideration and approval.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Identify and explicate significant ideas, persons, and events in a variety of historical epochs throughout human history and in a global context.
- Formulate, carry out, and critically evaluate a focused research project involving the use of various forms of primary historical evidence, and showing an understanding of relevant theoretical approaches to the problem, as well as the most significant secondary research on it.
- Communicate effectively and appropriate in both and oral and written forms, especially through the use of critical analysis in articulation and support of historical theses.
- Synthesize important historical phenomena, based on the understanding of primary material, across millennia, cultures and interpretive modes.
- Interpret and effectively describe the contribution of Christianity, particularly the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition, and the Judeo-Christian legacy, in the development of human history.
Locations Offered
Main Campus Fresno
Degree Pathways
History, B.A. Four Year Pathway
History, B.A. ADT Pathway
Lower Division Major Prerequisites (16 units)- HIST 120 - Ancient Civilizations Credits 4
- HIST 130 - Medieval and Early Modern Civilizations Credits 4
- HIST 140 - Modern Civilizations Credits 4
- HIST 150 - American Civilization Credits 4
Required Courses (32 Units Minimum)
At least one upper-division course in five of the following areas:
- Ancient history
- Medieval, Renaissance or Reformation history
- Modern European history
- World history
- American history
- Religious or topical history
Sufficient additional courses to complete the number of units required for the major.
Capstone Courses- HIST 462 - Historiography Credits 3
- HIST 483 - Projects in History Credits 1 - 3
Must complete 4 units total; usually 2 units completed in two consecutive semesters*
Note:
Must complete 4 units total; usually 2 units completed in two consecutive semesters*
*Both parts focus attention on the various ways of interpreting historical subjects, the role of Christian faith and religious experience in history and historical interpretation, the philosophical and theological implications of historical work and the development of a historical habit and practice in the student.
It is recommended that history majors complete a minor in another field of study or a deliberately chosen set of courses to prepare for anticipated work in a particular area.
Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education
Whether you're a high school student, transfer student or parent, you'll find all the resources you need including application steps, tuition & financial aid, transfer and orientation information.
First Steps to Admission
- Submit an application for admission (online or printable mail-in)
* Admission applications are free, no discount codes required. - Send official copies of your transcripts to FPU.
- Complete the FAFSA. It can be completed starting October 1st. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Information
History (AA-T) to History, B.A.
BA courses fulfilled through ADT:
- All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
- BA co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
- HIST 120 - Ancient Civilizations (4)
- HIST 140 - Modern Civilizations (4)
- HIST 150 American Civilization (4)
- This program is offered as daytime traditional
ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.
Non-traditional Admission
Four-Year Graduation Guarantee
Earning a degree in four years allows you to get a head start on achieving your goals of entering the work force or starting graduate school. FPU guarantees graduation within four years in the traditional undergraduate areas of study. We commit to providing the courses, advising, instruction and preparation. If you fulfill your responsibilities and are unable to graduate in four years, you will receive the needed courses the following semester at no cost in tuition or fees.
Cost & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
Room & Board Rates
Financial Aid
Freshman Scholarships
Based on a student’s academic GPA. Academic GPA’s are calculated by FPU on a weighted, 4.0 scaled and based on core academic classes in grades 10-12. Renewable if a minimum GPA is maintained.
| Name | GPA | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Paragon | Full Tuition | |
| President's | 4.00 GPA and above | $18,000 |
| Dean's | 3.75-3.99 GPA | $15,000 |
| Heritage | 3.50-3.75 GPA | $14,000 |
| Faculty | 3.25-3.49 GPA | $12,000 |
| Founder's | Below a 3.0 GPA | $8,000 |
Transfer Scholarships
To be considered for a Transfer Academic Scholarship, you must have 12 or more transferable, post-high school units. GPA’s are based on transferable units and calculated by FPU.
| Name | GPA | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Scholar | 3.50 GPA and above | $14,000 |
| Transfer Achievement | 3.0-3.49 GPA | $10,000 |
| Transfer Academic | 2.40-2.99 GPA | $7,500 |
| Transfer Partnership | Below a 2.4 GPA | $6,000 |
Performance-based Scholarships
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Athletic | $500 to Full Tuition |
| Music | $400 to $10,000 |
| Theatre Arts | $500 to $4,000 |
| Art/Design | $500 to $4,000 |
Other FPU Grants and Scholarships
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| FPU Possibilities Scholarship | Full Tuition |
| Church Match | $500 to $1,500 |
| International Scholarship | up to $6,000 |
| Mennonite Brethren Award | $4,000 |
| Out of State Student Scholarship | $4,000 |
| Other Awards | $100 to $10,000 |
Federal and State Grants
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cal Grant A | $9,358 |
| Cal Grant B | $1,648 |
| Pell Grants | $750 to $7,395 |
| Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant | $1,000 |
Federal Loans and Work-Study
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal Direct | $3,500 to $7,500 |
| PLUS Loan | Up to remaining cost |
| Work-study | Contingent on employment |
Private Scholarships
Alumni, parents, friends, businesses and foundations have generously provided a special set of scholarships available to students attending Fresno Pacific.
Alexandra Green
Mathematics
The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.
Net Price Calculator
Now that you’ve seen the financial aid opportunities available to FPU students, we can estimate what your true cost may be to attend Fresno Pacific. Please keep in mind that this is just a computer generated, general estimate and may not capture all aid available, please work with your FPU Student Financial Services advisor to discover your true net price.
Career Opportunities
Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced study in the disciplines of history, theology, classics, philosophy and education, as well as professional fields such as law, library science, journalism, archival management and public history. Many students elect to pursue teaching and Fresno Pacific has an excellent reputation among local high schools for producing single-subject credential graduates.
Career Possibilities
- Teacher
- Researcher
- Journalist
- Archivist
Career Development Happens Here
The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.
- Resume writing classes
- Career assessments, exploration & planning
- Job search and networking opportunities
- and much more