The Department of History at Jimma University was established in 2001 (1994 E.C.) under the Department of Social Sciences and at that same year began offering minor area courses for English major students. In the year 2002 the department became independent. As of 2003 Civic and Ethical Education Unit is placed under the Department of History. The Department trains students in the field of teaching history and graduates them with diploma and Bachelor of Education Degree. The regular B. Ed. program is a three-year program having six semesters. The evening B. Ed program lasts for five years including four summer courses. The summer in-service B. Ed. program lasts for four to five years. Currently the Department of History has eleven teaching staff. The Department of History accepts 120- 130 students each year in the regular program and trains them to be history teachers at high schools. Moreover the department has extension division and summer in-service programs. Currently in the regular program there are 275 students of which 251 are male and 24 female. There are also 93 students in the continuing education program and 214 students in the summer (in-service) program.