Graduate Bridge Certificate in World History

Wayne State's world history certificate prepares current and future teachers to teach world history in middle school, high school, college or university. Demand for world history teachers has increased over the past several years and our program provides you with the knowledge and credentials needed to teach in the field.

As a coursework-only degree (students do not write a thesis or complete a capstone project), this certificate program is also an ideal option for lifelong learners who want to know more about the history of world events, but who are not ready to commit to a longer and more intensive master's program.

Students already admitted to the master's in history, master's in public history, any joint master's degree programs in history or the doctorate in history may earn the world history certificate concurrent with their primary degree by completing a change of status form and filing a certificate program plan of work.

About the program

World history certificate students complete four classes for a total of 12 credits, which include a graduate seminar and three electives. You can earn the certificate in as few as two semesters or take up to three years to complete coursework. After completing your certificate, if you decide you'd like to continue for an advanced degree in history or public history, all of your coursework will count toward a master's or a doctorate in our department.

Curriculum

All students pursuing the World History Bridge Certificate must complete HIS 8310, Seminar in World History, and at least three electives, for a total of 12 credits. View all program requirements.

  • Courses

    All of the courses listed below are approved electives for the certificate. Not all of the courses are offered regularly. At the discretion of the world history coordinator, history courses with relevant content but not listed here may be used to satisfy certificate requirements (e.g., a special topics course).

    Course Title
    HIS 5130/7130 U.S. Foreign Relations
    HIS 5210/7210 Peopling of Modern America
    HIS 5251/7251 History of Feminism
    HIS 5385/7835 History of Christianity to the Reformation
    HIS 5386/7836 History of Christianity from the Reformation to the Present
    HIS 5480/7480 Nazi Germany
    HIS 5490 Russia and Eurasia
    HIS 5500/7500 Soviet Union
    HIS 5530/7530 History of WWI and II
    HIS 5535/7535 History of Terrorism
    HIS 5555/7555 Britain in the Age of Empire
    HIS 5556/7556 Modern Britain
    HIS 5665/7665 Global Cities
    HIS 5825 Modern China
    HIS 5855 Premodern Japan
    HIS 5865 Modern Japan
    HIS 5875 Gender in Modern East Asia
    HIS 6000 Jews, Christians, and Muslims
    HIS 6000 Zionism
    HIS 6000 History of Genocide
    HIS 7855 History and Memory

Amanda Walter, lecturer, Towson University, Ph.D., 2019

The knowledge and theories I learned while earning the world history certificate have greatly informed my teaching.

While I primarily teach United States history, the United States does not exist in a vacuum. The certificate has helped me place the United States in a global context. World systems theory, which I learned as part of the certificate, helps students understand the interconnected world, particularly when grappling with the difficult topic of economic change


Contact 💬

Karen Marrero, history graduate director
karen.marrero@wayne.edu

Career insights

This tool provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills, or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.