Public History

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.

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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.