Public History is the study and application of history outside the academic setting. Public historians use professional expertise and skills to document the past and to present it to the public in these settings. They curate and interpret museum collections, uncover and process archival materials and other primary sources, document an area’s historic structures, conduct oral histories, create documentary films, work in tourism development and help preserve historic buildings and sites. Most importantly, they possess unparalleled investigative, critical and analytical capabilities, and they apply the tools of their craft in a broad spectrum of work environments.

The Public History Certificate Program at Shenandoah University trains students to work as professionals in these types of endeavors. Students have the unique opportunity to take advantage of cutting-edge programs through coursework, internships and classes within the History Department and other departments on campus.

The Public History Certificate Program is truly interdisciplinary, designed to give students a wide choice of courses tailored to their interests and future ambitions. Students may choose courses in Media and Communication, Business, and AR/VR (Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality) among others. All certificate students meet one-on-one with the director to design a personalized course of study, and the director also matches students with internships at local historical sites.

Students must have completed the United States History Survey HIST 103, HIST 104 sequence prior to enrollment in this program.