In addition to acquiring historical knowledge, you will learn how to interpret complex sources of information, think critically about the relationship between the past and the present and communicate your ideas effectively. In the process, you will also gain a further appreciation of the cultural diversity that shapes our world.

Explore Our Programs

History (BA/BS)

Through this degree you will become trained in the discipline of history. You will gain knowledge of the human past, practice historical research and writing, and learn to analyze and interpret evidence and historical interpretations. This program is a good selection if you plan to pursue advanced degrees in history or a career in public history, historic preservation or government service.

History (BA/BS) Teaching Emphasis

Through this degree you will become trained in the discipline of history. Students will gain knowledge of the human past, practice historical research and writing and learn to analyze and interpret evidence and historical interpretations. This program orients these skills toward the knowledge needed to teach history at the 7-12 grade levels.

History (MA/MS)

You will have the opportunity for advanced study in historical interpretation, historical theory and research methods. Earning your master's degree in history opens doors in academia, nonprofit, education and government.

World History Association of Texas | WHAT

WHAT CONFERENCE

The World History Association of Texas (WHAT) conference provides a forum for the discussion of all aspects of World History. Every year the conference chooses a special thematic focus to drive the various lectures and discussions.

Phi Alpha Theta

Phi Alpha Theta

A&M-Commerce proudly hosts the Eta-Beta chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the National Honors Society for History. Phi Alpha Theta promotes research, teaching, and publication in order to increase awareness and knowledge about history. The Eta-Beta chapter provides history students an academic community and professional development opportunities. The organization strives to bring our university's students and teachers together for intellectual and social exchanges related to the field and profession of history.

Though one does not need to be a member to participate, membership is encouraged. To be a member in the Eta-Beta Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta undergraduates must have completed a minimum of twelve semester hours of history courses, maintain an overall GPA of 3.0, a GPA in applicable history courses of 3.1, and be a currently enrolled student in good standing with A&M Commerce. Graduate students must also have twelve semester hours of coursework completed, maintain a GPA no lower than a 3.5, while also being currently enrolled students in good standing. If you are already a member of Phi Alpha Theta from another university, or wish to learn more information about the organization and how to join, please contact the faculty advisor or the chapter president.

The Phi Alpha Theta chapter advisor is Dr. Cynthia Ross. For information regarding membership or other details of the organization, please contact the Department of History Office.

In Spring 2018, the Eta Beta chapter held professionalization and writing workshops for undergraduate and graduate students. The chapter hosted the regional PAT conference. A&M-Commerce students Mykah Jones-Henschel, Chris Rowback and Michelle Hodge received paper awards.

Alumni Spotlight

News Spotlights

Our Research

In addition to teaching, our faculty are always endeavoring to contribute to historical scholarship. Below, find a few of our ongoing and completed projects.

Completed

East Texas War and Memory Project

The East Texas War and Memory Project (ETWMP) is an oral and public history project that collects, preserves, interprets and makes accessible to the public the stories of people affected by war in order to uncover both the lived experience of war and the individual and public memory that surrounds it.

Ongoing

Handbook of Texas Women

The Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) seeks to shed light on the achievements of Texan women through a massive initiative to expand on the nation's oldest and most successful digital state encyclopedia, the Handbook of Texas. Texas women make Texas history, and the time has come to illuminate the stories of these women.

Completed

Ted Crim Postcard Collection

This collection of postcards depicts buildings on our campus along with locations around the town of Commerce, Texas. It includes prints from nationally known companies such as Curt Teich and Co., National Colortype Cincinnati, Auburn Post Card Mfg. Co, and Bob Wyer Photo Cards. The postcards were donated to Special Collections and University Archives by alumnus Ted Crim.

Ongoing

Occupied Landscapes, Occupied Ecologies

This manuscript, by Dr. Cynthia Ross, investigates the role of scientific inquiry in legitimating and advancing imperial domination of the imperial outpost of Guam. Occupied Landscapes, Occupied Ecologies: Science, Empire, and Control extends this framework beyond the British Empire to explore the role of knowledge production in shaping European and American visions about tropical imperial possessions, specifically Guam in the Mariana Islands of the western Pacific.

Completed

A Dream of the Judgment Day

A Dream of the Judgment Day: American Millennialism and Apocalypticism, by Dr. John Howard Smith, surveys popular belief in a biblical end of the world in colonial America and the United States. Contrary to most studies of the subject, which tend to treat such beliefs as occupying the fringes of American religious culture, this book demonstrates how they are an integral part not just of American religious culture, but of American culture generally, as well. 

Ongoing

Here among the Ruins

Dr. Andrew Baker reinterprets the public and environmental history of rural and exurban American landscapes through the framework of ruins—sites where the past actions of both human and nonhuman actors are still perceptible and where both damage and history endure. It examines four particular sites of ruin using the archival research and oral history methods of historical scholarship, the deep-time insight and site-based analytical tools of ecology, and the textured perspectives of the visual arts.

Resources

The History Department and the university provides lots of opportunities to support your studies. Visit the resources below to get more information.

Scholarships will be awarded by the History Department scholarship committee following the criteria listed under each award. No student may receive more than one History Department scholarship in any award year. The committee may withhold awards at their discretion. Applications and all required supplementary materials must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships using the General Scholarship Application by the appointed deadline found on the Office of Financial Aid website. Please do not submit any materials to the History Department Office. Generally scholarship applications are due in the spring and are awarded for the following academic year. Scholarship award values may vary based on the availability of funds. For questions regarding the scholarship award process, contact Dr. Judy Ford.

Charles Ternay Neu Scholarship

To be eligible, applicants must be admitted to Texas A&M University-Commerce as undergraduates, have declared the intention of majoring in History either through filing a degree plan or listing History as their major on their admission documents, and have an overall GPA of at least 3.0. The award will be given to the qualified applicant with the highest overall GPA.

Mattie Baker Prize for Merit

To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in Texas A&M University-Commerce, have an undergraduate degree plan on file with a major in History (any track), have completed at least nine semester credit hours in History (excluding History 1301 and 1302) with a major GPA in History of at least 3.3. Eligible applicants will be ranked by the scholarship committee based on demonstrated mastery of course materials. The award will be given to the highest ranked eligible candidate.

Frank B. Jackson Scholarship

To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in Texas A&M University-Commerce, have an undergraduate or graduate degree plan on file with a major in History (any track), be classified as a junior or senior (if undergraduate),must have completed at least nine semester credit hours in History (excluding History 1301 and 1302), and have a major GPA in History of at least 3.3. Applicants must submit a 1-2 page essay that discussing their particular interest in history and how they plan to use the degree. Eligible applicants will be ranked by the scholarship committee based on demonstrated mastery of course materials and the quality of their essay. The award will be given to the highest ranked eligible candidate.

Jewell and Jesse Guy Smith Scholarship

To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in Texas A&M University, have an undergraduate degree plan on file with a major in History (any track), have completed at least nine semester hours in History (excluding History 1301 and 1302), and have a major GPA in History of at least 3.3. Applicants must submit a 1-2 page essay that discussing their particular interest in history and how they plan to use the degree. Eligible applicants will be ranked by the scholarship committee based on demonstrated mastery of course materials and the quality of their essay. The award will be given to the highest ranked eligible candidate.

Joe Fred Cox Scholarship

To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in Texas A&M University-Commerce as full-time students, be in good standing at the university, have an undergraduate degree plan on file with a major in History (any track), be classified as a junior, and have an overall GPA of at least 3.0. Eligible applicants will be ranked by the scholarship committee based on demonstrated mastery of course materials. The award will be given to the highest ranked eligible candidate.

Anthony Regenald Heneger Prize

To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in Texas A&M University-Commerce as a graduate students, have a graduate degree plan on file with a major in History (any track), and have a major GPA in History of at least 3.5. Applicants must submit a 1-2 page essay that discussing their particular interest in history and how they plan to use the degree. Eligible applicants will be ranked by the scholarship committee based on demonstrated mastery of course materials and the quality of their essay. The award will be given to the highest ranked eligible candidate.

W. Eugene Hollon Scholarship

To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in Texas A&M University-Commerce as graduate students, have a graduate degree plan on file with a major in History (any track), and have a major GPA in History of at least 3.5. Eligible applicants will be ranked by the scholarship committee based on demonstrated mastery of course materials. The award will be given to the highest ranked eligible candidate.

Adkins Family History Scholarship

To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in Texas A&M University-Commerce as either an undergraduate or graduate student and have a degree plan on file with a major in history (any track). Applicants should submit a 1-2 page essay discussing their particular interest in history and how they plan to use the degree. Eligible applicants will be ranked by the scholarship committee based on the submitted essay. The donor (or his designated agent) will be provided with a copy of the essay for review.

Billie and Otha Spencer “Storytellers” Scholarship

This award is given to assist students in conducting oral history research. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in Texas A&M University-Commerce as either an undergraduate or graduate student and have a degree plan on file with a major in history (any track). Applicants should submit a research proposal of no more than 500 words outlining the project goals, their research process, and how they plan to spend the funds. Proposals will be ranked by the scholarship committee. The award will be given to the highest ranked eligible candidate. Preference will be given to proposals related to the East Texas War and Memory Project. The committee may award multiple prizes at their discretion.

Students who have full admission to the program may be eligible for several forms of financial aid, including Texas Public Education Grants, college work-study, graduate assistantships, housing scholarships, scholarships and loan programs. For more information, please contact Enrollment and Financial Aid Processing at 903.886.5096.

Undergraduate students should direct questions about the program to Dr.Andrew Baker

Graduate students should direct questions about the program to Dr. Mylynka Cardona

Meet our Department

Contact Us

  • Ferguson 111
  • P.O. Box 3011
  • Commerce, TX 75429-3011
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