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Inspire Public Interest in the Past

Want to bring the past to life for the general population? Build a foundation in public history through this certificate program. By learning to present historical information in a way that inspires public interest, you’ll help others understand and appreciate the people, places, and events that have made an impact over time. The program’s courses build an understanding of the collection, preservation, and presentation of historical information.

Imagine Your Future

Prepare for a career in the growing and dynamic field of public history. Or, lay a foundation for graduate study in public history, cultural resource management, oral history, archival studies, library and information management, historic preservation, or museum studies.

Public historians work in a variety of positions. They are oral historians, historic interpreters, collections managers and caretakers, curatorial assistants, archivists, park rangers, librarians, genealogists, researchers, grant writers, and private consultants.

They also work in a variety of locations: archives, corporations, heritage sites, historical societies, libraries, media, museums, state and national parks, and federal, state, and local government.

Learn more about public history jobs on the National Council on Public History website.

Public History Salaries

The following are median salaries for public history positions:

$60,050

Archivists

$60,110

Curators

$60,550

Educational services—state, local, and private

$53,210

Government

$48,320

Museums, historical sites, and similar institutions

$47,630

Museum technicians and conservators

Related Occupations

Median salaries for related occupations are as follows:

$61,910

Anthropologists and archaeologists

$49,960

Craft and fine arts professionals

$63,940

Historians

$61,190

Librarians and library media specialists

Classes and Requirements

The Public History Certificate can easily be added to any IUP major. The coursework provides a foundation in historical content and thinking and in public history methods. Partnerships with local cultural heritage organizations give students hands-on curricular experiences so they can practice public history in the community and engage with experts and institutions.

Classroom activities and internships also help students identify their field of interest so they can decide whether to pursue a job or graduate school after receiving their certificate. In addition, required courses layer well with those of related degrees and certificates, so students can pursue credentials in other areas, such as museum studies and archaeology, through shared coursework.

Full Academic Catalog Listing

The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.

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