Certificate in Historical Research (Honors)

Program Overview

The Certificate in Historical Research (Honors) at San Francisco State University offers advanced research skills for original research. Objectives include research methodologies, communication abilities, and historical understanding. Prerequisites include a GPA of 3.25, 60 units, and an accepted thesis proposal. The program requires 9 units of core courses and 6 units of elective upper-division history courses, along with an auxiliary skill proficiency demonstration.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Certificate in Historical Research (Honors) is a program offered by the History Department at San Francisco State University. This program aims to equip students with advanced research skills, enabling them to conduct original research and communicate their findings in a rigorous and persuasive manner.

Objectives:

The program's learning objectives include:

• Research Skills: Students will learn to apply research methodologies to analyze primary source evidence, developing compelling and original arguments about the past.
• Communication Skills: Students will be able to organize evidence effectively, communicate complex information, craft engaging narratives, and persuade their audience through a full-length thesis.
• Understanding: Students will apply knowledge acquired in History and allied disciplines, incorporating concepts, ethics, methods, and theories relevant to historical inquiry.

Other:

• Prerequisites: Students must have a GPA of 3.25, complete at least 60 units, and gain acceptance of a thesis proposal from a History faculty member.
• Required Courses: The program demands the completion of 9 units, including:
• HIST 300GWSeminar in Historical Analysis - GWAR3
• HIST 640, HIST 642, or HIST 644
• HIST 697 Honors Thesis
• Electives: Students must take 6 units of upper-division courses with the HIST prefix, which could include proseminars but not independent study courses or internships.
Double-counting with other majors may be possible with departmental approval.
• Auxiliary Skill: Students must demonstrate mastery of an auxiliary skill through one of three options:
• Two semester-length college-level language courses with a grade of B or better.
• Equivalent language proficiency demonstrated through a History Department examination.
• Two semester-length courses in auxiliary skills such as digital history/humanities, oral history, statistics, or other approved skills.