The Department of History offers a Bachelor of Arts degree that prepares students broadly for modern careers in business, government, and teaching, or for graduate study in history, law, library science, business, or education. The major requires 36 hours of course work. At least 12 hours of History at the 300 and 400 levels must be taken in residence at Old Dominion University.

The Department of History offers a Bachelor of Arts in History as well as a state-approved Bachelor of Arts in History and Social Science that prepares students to teach in secondary schools. Both of these offer a broad introduction to the history of the world's peoples and civilizations. Students who major in history are required to choose courses in three of the four following areas: 1) United States, 2) Europe, 3) Area Studies, 4) Comparative History. After introductory survey courses, students enroll in a Historical Methods course that provides an introduction to the basic methodologies and perspectives in history. In their senior year they enroll in a capstone course that includes intensive writing and combines the investigation of a particular area or theme from the perspective of different theoretical frameworks.