What Can USD History Do For You?
How to Declare a Major
Declaring a College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) major and staying on track is easy. Just follow the steps below.
Important note: Students can declare a major after April 15 of their first year and should use the Core Curriculum and campus resources to identify the best fit for their major and career.
Fill out the Declaration of Major form
Fill out the Declaration of Major form. Be aware that you will need to log into your Mysandiego portal when you follow the link.
Reminder: Students can declare a major after April 15 of their first year and up to the end of their second year.
Meet your with your new Faculty Advisor
After completing your Declaration of Major form, you will be assigned a Faculty Advisor in your major with whom you should schedule an appointment.
Your major Faculty Advisor can share information about major course curriculum, connect you with resources and provide guidance on exploring academic and career options.
Connect with the Career Development Center
As a College of Arts and Sciences major, you are required to complete a career readiness program through the Career Development Center.
Immediate Action Item:
Attend a COMPASS (also known as the Career Readiness Program) orientation within two weeks of declaring a CAS major
Questions?
Contact the CAS Academic Advising Team at casadvising@sandiego.edu for logistical or clarifying questions.
Tips for Success in History
We are deeply invested in your success in history. Below are some tips to help you be your most successful as a history major.
Everything has a history! Follow your interests, and don't be afraid to explore sources and scholarship that excite you.
Get in the habit of asking yourself:
- When was this text written?
- Why was it written?
- Who wrote it?
- What was it written for?
Think about the connections between different times and places to better understand historical processes.
Historians write a lot and love to talk about the past. Practice exploring the meaning of your work through presentations and conversations.
Our history faculty love working one-on-one with students. Come meet with us to:
- Talk through essay ideas, research questions and reading challenges.
- Ask for recommendations for books, journals or methodologies in your interest area.
- Seek mentorship for internships, study abroad options and graduate school planning.
Lean into your curiosity! The more you do, the more comfortable you'll get coming up with your own historical questions.
Meet with your Faculty Advisor regularly for guidance, resources and help exploring academic and career options. Additionally, you can reach out to the CAS Academic Advising Team for logistical questions.
Whether it's joining the History Club, Phi Alpha Theta or connecting with your faculty, start making connections with your history peers and faculty.
Use DegreeWorks to track and plan your courses and ensure you meet graduation requirements.
All CAS majors are required to complete the COMPASS Career Readiness Program in order to graduate. Also, make sure to take advantage of the Career Development Center's events and career resources.