Department Chair: Keith Chu
Department Secretary: Shailly Mahajan
Room: A-328A
Phone: (201) 447-7167

Our Mission

The mission of the department of history at Bergen Community College is to create a first-rate teaching and learning community where students acquire historical knowledge covering all periods and geographical concentrations. We seek to maintain high standards of civic engagement, instruction, and scholarship including investigating and interpreting primary and secondary historical sources by various methods. We affirm a commitment to help students develop an appreciation of history, both western and non-western, through an understanding of the past and its impact on the present. Recognizing that the discipline of history holds a central place in the liberal arts and general education curriculum, we wish to impart to students critical reading, analytical thinking, and effective writing skills which are essential for further study in all majors and success in a wide-range of careers. Equipped with this historical training students are better prepared to become productive and responsible citizens. The department strengths include courses in Western Civilization, United States History, European History, and Latin American History.

Career Paths

The Associate of Arts degree is designed to provide students with the coursework needed to transfer to a four-year institution and pursue a bachelor’s degree in history. The curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a pathway to history with education, writing/editing/journalism, parks and recreation, pre-law, historian, museum curator, and politician. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with Bergen Community College faculty and Career Services as they begin to explore career options.

Transfer Opportunities

Students pursing the Liberal Arts degree – History Option can transfer into majors such as History, Art History, or History-Education. Many four-year colleges require coursework in western or world civilization and United States history as well as foreign language, political science, geography, anthropology, and/or sociology courses. Students are encouraged to work closely with BCC faculty and Advising Transfer Services. Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution in NJ can explore the “Transfer Programs” feature on NJ Transfer https://njtransfer.org.