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Frequently Asked Questions
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1)
What
is a concentration -- and do I need to declare one?
2)
When do I need to declare a concentration? 4) The class I need to get into is full. How can I obtain a permission number? Contact the instructor of the course and ask about the availability of permission numbers. Most instructors will probably tell you to attend the first day of class, when they have a better sense of available space in the class. Don't get discouraged - students drop classes all the time, and most classes do have a limited number of permission numbers available at the beginning of the semester. See our list of faculty contact information for help in contacting the instructors. 5) How can I obtain permission to enroll in a Z (writing intensive) section of a history course? Contact the instructor of the course as soon as possible. 6) I am a senior who wants to take a 100-level course. How can I do this? During the Advance Registration period only, students with senior status (credits completed plus credits in progress equal to or exceeding 88) who want to register for a 100-level course need to complete and have signed a "REQUEST FOR EXCEPTION TO POLICY RESTRICTING SENIORS FROM PRE-REGISTERING FOR 100-LEVEL COURSES" form. This form must first be signed by the student's advisor. Next, the form, along with a copy of the student's DARS Audit, should be brought to the Office of Undergraduate Studies (LC 30). Once the form is approved and signed, the student must then go to the instructor/department and have the form signed and be given a permission number. A completed form brought to the instructor/department does not guarantee admission to the class. At this point, the instructor has the choice whether or not to give the student a permission number (based on the amount of remaining seats, the instructor's wishes, or prior instructions from the department). If a permission number is granted, it is written on the form in the space provided, and the student then holds onto the completed form.Seniors shall be allowed to register for courses at the 100 level only during the Program Adjustment (Add/Drop) period as defined by the University calendar. Permission numbers are not needed at this time if the course is still open. If a 100-level course is full during Program Adjustment or regular/late registration, seniors need only a permission number from the instructor to register for the course. "Exception" forms are not required during these times. You may obtain a copy of the Exception form from the Office of Undergraduate Studies in LC-30 or download it here. 7) I need an Advisor Verification Number (AVN) to register for next semester - how can I get one? Each semester you must meet with a history advisor to go over your audit and develop a schedule for next semester. That advisor will give you your AVN. These advisor meetings are mandatory - the History Department will not issue you an AVN without one. See the "Advisement" section of this website for more information on meeting with an advisor. Yes. For example, if you take His 354: History of Russia I, you will be earning credit for the major while also satisfying the "Europe" General Education Requirement. Please see the General Education Requirement "Lookup" feature on the UAlbany webpage to find out which history courses satisfy General Education requirements. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. This is a decision that needs to be made by the Undergraduate Director in the History Department. Go see the director with a copy of the syllabus from the course - if the course is sufficiently historical in content, then it is likely the director will approve the course for history credit. The director will then fill out a DARS exception form to have the course listed under the history major on your audit. First, obtain a Transfer Credit Permission Form either from the Registrar's office or download it here. Fill out the top of the form with your contact information, and then fill in the course number, title, credits, and the name of the other university where you will take the course. Then consult the DARS Transfer Equivalency Databank and look up the course to see if an equivalency at UAlbany has already been determined. If so, fill in that information on the form and go see a history advisor to have the form signed. If not, bring the form with a copy of the course description to a history advisor to have the equivalency determined and the form signed. Once the completed form is in the hands of the Registrar's office, all you need to do is send a transcript to the UAlbany registrar when you have completed the course. Go see the Undergraduate Director with a copy of the syllabus from that course. If any changes need to be made to your audit, the director can fill out a DARS exception form to make the necessary change. Yes - if the History Department agrees that the courses are sufficiently historical. But whether or not the courses will transfer to UAlbany as electives or as upper-level courses in your concentration will be up to the discretion of the Undergraduate Director. You are welcome to meet with the director before you go abroad - bring with you a copy of the course description(s) as well as a copy of the Preliminary Approval of Courses Form in order to have your courses "preapproved" for credit. Have you declared a concentration yet? Until you do, not all of your credits will appear in the right place on your audit. If you declare the concentration and your audit still does not look right, go see a member of the Undergraduate Committee to have a DARS exception form filled out. 14) I failed a history course. Can I take the course over again and replace the failed grade? Yes and no. Yes, you can take the course over again. But it will only replace the old grade for the purposes of computing your history grade point average, and it will only do so if that GPA has fallen below a 2.0. At the same time, the old grade will never be replaced for the purposes of computing your overall GPA - the failed grade will remain on your audit (and transcript) forever and will be factored into your overall GPA along with the new grade. 15) Can I choose to take a history course pass/fail and still have it count toward my history major? Yes. But according to University policy, you are allowed to take only two courses pass/fail (or satisfactory/unsatisfactory) during your entire undergraduate career, and these courses must be below the 300 level. Therefore, only 100 & 200-level history electives may be taken pass/fail. 16) What opportunities are there to earn honors in history? Visit the "Honors & Awards" section of this website. As you will see, our department sponsors an honors program and an honor society, as well as awards for student writing. 17) What can I do with a history degree? Plenty of things! Visit the "Careers in History" section of this website for some ideas. Please note: Many students assume that if they major in history, they must become history teachers. While this is not at all true-history majors can and do enter many different fields-a major in history is a good way to prepare for a teaching career. For more information about teaching, visit the "Teaching" section in "Careers in History." 18) How can I get help in reading my DARs audit? Visit the University Registrar's guide to reading the DARs audit. This guide explains the various parts of the DARs audit in detail. If you still need assistance, however, please see the History Department's Undergraduate Director or another history advisor.
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