COURSE CURRICULUM

University of Colorado Denver offers a flexible and interdisciplinary curriculum in History that combines academic study with practical experience and career preparation. The program requires 36 credit hours and allows students to personalize most of their coursework according to their interests, with only two required core classes. Students can explore a wide variety of historical topics and regions, including United States history, world wars, ancient Rome, Denver and Colorado history, the American West, Chinese history, African history, Native American history, medieval and Renaissance history, globalization, imperialism, history of science, and modern international conflicts. The curriculum draws from social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences, helping students understand social trends, cultural developments, political systems, and historical transformations across different time periods and societies. By comparing human experiences over decades and centuries, students develop critical thinking, analytical reasoning, research, and persuasive writing skills that are valuable in many professions. The program also emphasizes experiential learning through internships that allow students to gain hands-on experience in historical research, archives, museums, and public history organizations. Internship opportunities may include organizations such as National History Day in Colorado, History Colorado, and the Denver Public Library Archives and Special Collections. Students interested in teaching can add secondary licensure through the School of Education by completing additional education coursework, maintaining a minimum GPA requirement, and participating in a professional year application and interview process. Alongside major courses, students complete the CU Denver Core Curriculum, which includes English, mathematics, humanities, sciences, and international and cultural diversity studies, as well as College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduation requirements covering psychology, logic, scientific reasoning, public health, and writing for the sciences. Overall, the history curriculum at CU Denver provides students with broad historical knowledge, practical professional experience, and adaptable communication and analytical skills that prepare them for careers in education, public service, law, museums, media, research, and many other fields.