History - Public History Emphasis

Major

Explore the history - public history emphasis bachelor's degree program at UW-Eau Claire

Share your love of history with the rest of the world with a bachelor's degree in history - public history emphasis from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Rooted in real-world learning, the growing major offers countless opportunities to expand your perspective and build your resume. Explore museums and historical sites in England and Central Europe during study abroad. Gain professional experience alongside public historians during an internship. And pursue a passion project during a seminar in public history course.

Classes throughout the major will provide you with a strong and diverse background in world history and will introduce you to the theories, concepts, methodologies, research methods and historiographic traditions used by historians. Electives within the degree allow you to study the topics that most interest you and best align with your career goals. As part of a required capstone experience, you'll complete a major research project for presentation, enhancing your writing, reading, communication and analytical skills.

Graduates of UW-Eau Claire's public history major are prepared for a wide range of career options, including work in historic preservation, museums, archives, cultural resource management and contract history, as well as other occupations in the private sector or for government agencies. Whether your dream job is working as a small-exhibit coordinator at a museum or as an executive at a historical society or private company — our program will help you launch an interesting, rewarding and successful career.

Why history - public history emphasis at UW-Eau Claire?

Valuable student organizations. As a public history major, you'll have access to relevant and fun student organizations that can help take your learning to the next level. For example, History Enthusiasts of UWEC is a student-run club where you can engage in history-related events, socialize with people who share your interests and learn more about history.

Internship experience. A required internship will allow you to gain professional experience in the field, make valuable professional connections and build your historical knowledge — all while earning course credit. The Wisconsin Historical Society's Northern Field Services Office, which is located in the UWEC history department, helps students find placements in Wisconsin, while other partners help place interns across the nation. Internship sites range from local museums to archives, historical sites, public agencies and private businesses.

Career-enhancing study abroad programs. Public history majors have a unique opportunity to learn about preservation and interpretation in Great Britain during a month-long, faculty led immersion experience that travels around the island. They can also choose to participate in a buddy program with the University of Winchester during the school year. These programs allow students to explore the history of another culture and its impact on the rest of the world while helping shape them into culturally competent historians.

Groundbreaking research projects. All history majors at UWEC complete an independent research project as part of their senior capstone thesis. Many Blugolds also choose to participate in research collaborations with department faculty on both national and international topics. This work may lead to research presentations at local, state and national conferences. It also will set you apart, especially when applying to graduate school or when pursuing careers requiring research skills and independent initiative.

Connection to local employers. Annual on-campus Career Conferences and a Non-Profit and Government Career Fair bring potential employers right to you. These events are excellent opportunities to network and submit your resume for current and future job openings.

94% employed

or continuing education after graduation

2021-2022 Graduate Report

Quick facts

History - public history emphasis program details:

Program length: four years
Offered: in person
Campus: Eau Claire
This major requires a minor.
Students majoring in this program may choose either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.

Student organizations

History Enthusiasts of UWEC
Phi Alpha Theta - Lambda Omicron

What can I do with a history - public history emphasis degree from UWEC?

The skills public history majors gain in research, analysis and writing are valued by a variety of businesses and public sector employers. Our graduates go on to work for government agencies as researchers, analysts or information processors. They also are employed at museums, libraries, historic preservation agencies or historic parks.

You may also choose to expand your career options by pursuing a master's degree in public history, a degree UW-Eau Claire is proud to offer.

Public history jobs

Public historian
Museum curator
Researcher
Analyst
Information processor
Park ranger
State records archivist
Consultant
Coordinator of library development

I didn't really realize how much I liked history until I was out of high school. In high school, it is all about memorizing dates and events for tests, but the discipline is much more than that. I am drawn to people and their stories and experiences. Everyone sees events from a different perspective and understands it differently. Each variation and experience allows for something new to be understood.

Erin Hall Public History

History - public history emphasis bachelor's degree program curriculum

The curriculum within the public history emphasis bachelor's degree program at UW-Eau Claire will introduce you to the theory and practice of a variety of history-related pursuits, as well as career options available to public historians. Prior to graduation, you'll complete a seminar in public history, a capstone thesis and an internship in the field. These experiences provide you with professional real-world experience and will prepare you well for your chosen career path.

What classes do history - public history emphasis majors take?

Your classes may cover topics like:

Civil rights and American memory
Gender, sex and science in European history
History of race in the U.S.
History of the family in America
Research methods and the profession
Hmong and America
World history

Learn more about the history - public history emphasis major in the UWEC course catalog.

Learn more about UWEC

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