Program Requirements
Coursework
The program requires 33 semester hours (11 classes)
divided between traditional academic coursework, specialized seminars in public history and
field experience. Early in their program, public history students should complete HIST 510,
Seminar in Public History, which explores the field’s development, methodologies and
employment opportunities.
Fieldwork
Public history students will also take at least two additional topics courses designed to
provide them with applied knowledge and hands-on experiences
in the practice of Public History.
Depending on scheduling, available topics might include
- oral history
- museum interpretation
- educational programming
- material culture
Internship
An integral part of the program is the Semester-Long Internship.
Students will work with the Public History Coordinator to identify an internship that will help
them define their career goals and provide them with field experience. Students will spend 120
hours on the job and an additional 30-40 hours completing a final paper and annotated bibliography
project.
Capstone Project
The program culminates with a Capstone Project as opposed to a traditional research paper.
Student-designed projects should incorporate client-based and/or academically based research and
should communicate their findings to a nonacademic audience. It is expected that many students
will choose their final projects in conjunction with their internship experience.
Potential projects include, but are not limited to:
- exhibitions
- walking tours
- local or institutional histories
- oral history projects
- visitor surveys
- grant applications
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