Public History Emphasis

Optional Public History Emphasis

The Public History emphasis focuses on hands-on learning and digital literacy, connecting students to internships [link] and fieldwork in museums, archives, and preservation projects across the region. Courses in digital humanities, oral history, and museum studies build career skills in teamwork, communication, and technology. Students work closely with faculty and community partners, gaining experience that leads to careers in museums, heritage management, and cultural resource institutions.

Students opt for an emphasis in Public History by successfully taking three courses, or nine credit hours, from the following list of upper division courses:

1. HIST 3231 – Introduction to Public History
2. HIST 3354 – Maritime Archaeology
3. HIST 3700 – Material Culture & History
4. HIST 3701 – Family History
5. HIST 3702 – Experimental History
6. HIST 3720 – Historical Archaeology
7. HIST 3990 – Fieldwork in History
8. HIST 4256 – Historic Preservation
9. HIST 4257 – Heritage Tourism
10. HIST 4790 – Internship in History
11. HIST 4872 – Independent Study in Public History
12. HIST 5210 – Advanced Topics in Public History
13. HIST 5251 – Museum Studies
14. HIST 5253 – Archival Studies
15. HIST 5254 – Oral History
16. HIST 5257 – Visual History
17. HIST 5260 – History in the Digital Age

Students can use HIST 4790 for up to three semesters of internship credit that would also fulfill the requirements for a Public History emphasis.