Public history uses the past to serve a variety of contemporary needs. It entails the application of the skills and methods of history to the study, management, preservation and interpretation of historical records and artifacts. A public historian is a professional who puts his or her knowledge and skills to use in our society many areas such as museum, historical society or archival work; neighborhood or community history projects; historic preservation and cultural resource management programs; and local, state or federal research projects. Working with architects, librarians, business people, government policy analysts, exhibit designers or history enthusiasts, public historians contribute to our knowledge and understanding of the past.
Career opportunities for public historians include traditional academic positions, but more often employment can be found in local and state historical societies, state historical agencies, public and private libraries and archives, and numerous federal agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. Public historians also find work with private research firms that undertake contracted research and historical report preparation, or they may contract independently for such work.
The Public History major subplan at UMD augments the traditional study of history by introducing students to areas outside the academy where they can apply their training. It prepares students to adapt and apply skills in history to private and public audiences at the local, state, and national levels.
Complete this form to declare a Public History major.
Public History Major Requirements
The Public History Major subplan is 47 credits and consists of the following components:
- MST 1200: Introduction to Public History
- Two Required Experience Elective courses
- One History Internship
- Eight History Foundations courses covering six areas of study: Ancient, Africa, East and Southeast Asia, Europe, West Asia, and the Americas.
- HIST 4999: Seminar, the capstone course for the History major.
Check out the History Major listing in the UMD Catalog for a full list of the Public History major requirements.
Public History Internships
Public History students have the choice of completing their internship requirement at heritage organizations on UMD’s campus, in Duluth and Superior, throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, and even abroad in Ireland. Program Director David Woodward works directly with students and these organizations to find the best placement for each individual student.
History students have recently interned with the following local and regional organizations:
- Glensheen Mansion
- St. Louis County Historical Society
- Bong Veterans Historical Center
- Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center
- Lake Superior Railroad Museum
- Duluth Children's Museum
- Cook County Historical Society
- Koochiching County Historical Society
- Tweed Museum of Art
Our Internships page has more information about internship options.
Public History and the Museum Studies Certificate
Many Public History majors also choose to add the History Department’s Museum Studies Certificate. These programs complement each other in terms of methodology and practical experience, and students enrolled in both complete two internships.
If you are interested in adding a Museum Studies Certificate, please contact Program Director David Woodward. If you know that you want to take this step, you can complete this form to add a Museum Studies Certificate.