The history program provides students with analytical and communication skills that are vital for their future success and for that of our society. It empowers them to put those skills into practice through rigorous coursework and a variety of optional internships in public and private sector jobs. History students' understanding of diverse cultures and the drama of human experience equips them to become effective global citizens. History students critically examine past decisions, look for patterns, and make decisions accordingly. These skills are sought after in business, law, public policy, government, education, non-profit organizations, museums, journalism and the ministry. The history program offers students two tracks: General History or Public History. The General History track introduces students to major world cultures and provides students with the skills to work critically with a diverse array of source materials in different media. The Public History track prepares students to adapt and apply skills in history to private and public audiences on the local, state, and national levels. Both tracks offer courses in five geographic areas.
The Two Tracks of the History Major at UMD:
The General History track gives students the flexibility to specialize in an area or time period of their choosing. It is designed for students who wish to pursue an M.A. or Ph.D. in History, or for those who would like to double major in History and another field. It's also a great choice for those planning to become high school history teachers (along with a Teaching Social Studies Major) or anyone who is just interested in history.
The new Public History track gives students a sound foundation in traditional history while training them for work in a variety of applied fields, from museums and historical archives to historic preservation and cultural resource management. It offers preparation for M.A. and Ph.D. work in both Public and traditional History, and is also a great choice for students interested in double-majoring. Follow this link for more information about Public History at UMD.
Click here for a comparison of the General History and Public History major tracks.
Students in either track may also wish to consider completing UMD's Museum Studies Certificate.