


Public History
Major
Program Overview
We can only know where we’re going if we know where we’ve been. Dive into the political, economic, cultural and social life of past civilizations to enrich your understanding of the present — and the future. A public history degree prepares you to apply lessons from history to real-world problems.
Program Snapshot
Why This Program & What You'll Learn
Public history is a growing field1 that prepares you to bring history to life. As a public historian, you might work as a writer, researcher, curator, archivist, or teacher — interpreting our shared heritage and shaping the public’s understanding of the past.
Core courses shine a light on the archaeology of the Americas, the role of history in society and the origins of the United States. You can also follow your interests by choosing electives that focus on Indian cultures, oral history, natural resource management and more.
Beyond the classroom, you’ll have special access to our very own Museum of Cultural and Natural History. In this learning laboratory, you can study everything from historic clothing to pottery to logging camps in 1900.
You can also engage in fieldwork at historic sites, earn credit for a hands-on internship and gain experience through service-learning. You’ll graduate with the communication and analytic skills required for a fulfilling career in public history or any other field.
1 https://ncph.org/what-is-public-history/about-the-field/
Program Highlights
As a public history student here, you'll:
- Conduct research at our very own Museum of Cultural and Natural History.
- Join our History Club or Phi Alpha Theta to meet fellow history buffs, visit museums, watch movies and have fun.
- Participate in faculty-supervised, hands-on archeological field research.
Careers & Outcomes
Our public history degree prepares you for a number of exciting professions—college professor, historian, museum curator, and many more.
Career | Projected Salary |
---|---|
Archivist, Curator, or Museum Worker | $50,120 |
Historian | $63,940 |
Postsecondary Teacher | $79,640 |

Historian celebrates a legacy of diversity
CMU’s museum director connects with a community whose African American ancestors were central Michigan pioneers.