Public historians provide an educational passage to the past. Whether you want to work in classrooms, museums, historical sites, libraries, government or business, the Public History program offers valuable insights into how to turn your passion for history into a rewarding career.
Program Overview
Share your passion for history with your community.
The Public History emphasis introduces you to the associated fields of historic preservation, archival sciences, museum curatorship and oral history while being supported by historical content courses. Through intensive coursework, you will expand your historical knowledge and develop practical field skills.
The Public History emphasis is made up of a History core supported with multidisciplinary courses including Anthropology, Geography, Communication Arts, Environment & Sustainability and Recreation & Outdoor Education. This degree program combines academic and practical skills and knowledge desired by the field.
Upon graduation, you’ll have the preparation needed to continue your studies in Cultural Resource Management, Archival Management and/or Museum Studies. This degree can be the foundation for your career as a museum curator, registrar, collections manager, archivist, museum or historic site educator, or National Park Interpretive Ranger.
Historical knowledge
Public Historian students learn to bring our most important insights about the past to people of all ages outside of specialized academic settings through their work in classrooms, museums, historical sites, libraries, government and business.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
Program Requirements
The comprehensive programs in History are the Public History Emphasis and the Secondary Licensure Emphasis. These emphases do not require a separate minor, and allow students to pursue a course of study in which History is integrated with other disciplines across campus.
This emphasis prepares students for graduate work and employment in Public History related fields. A minimum of 67 credits is required, including the required 33 credit History Core, 28 credits of required supporting courses and 6 credits of designated elective courses.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
HIST 200 | Historical Inquiry | 3 |
HIST 370 | Public History | 3 |
HIST 371 | Oral History Workshop | 3 |
HIST 372 | Monuments and Museums | 3 |
HIST 373 | History of the National Park Service | 3 |
HIST 399 | Internship in History | 3 |
HIST 402 | Engaging the Past | 3 |
Select two of the following: | 6 | |
HIST 100 | Topics in World History (GT-HI1) | |
HIST 126 | U.S. History to 1865 (GT-HI1) | |
HIST 127 | U.S. History Since 1865 (GT-HI1) | |
HIST 128 | Environmental History of North America (GT-HI1) | |
And six credits of Upper Division History electives | 6 | |
Total Credits | 33 |
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Supporting Courses | ||
ANTH 107 | Introduction to General Anthropology | 3 |
ANTH 219 | Archaeology (with laboratory) | 4 |
ANTH 230 | Cultural Anthropology (with laboratory) | 4 |
ANTH 377 | Cultural Resource Management | 3 |
COM 231 | Stagecraft I | 3 |
ENVS 100 | Introduction to Environment and Sustainability (GT-SS2) | 3 |
GEOG 222 | Our Digital Earth | 3 |
Four credits of the following: | 4 | |
BIOL 130 | Environmental Biology (GT-SC2) | |
BIOL 135 | Environmental Biology Laboratory (GT-SC1) | |
BIOL 151 | Diversity and Patterns of Life (with laboratory) | |
GEOL 101 | Physical Geology (GT-SC2) | |
GEOL 105 | Physical Geology Laboratory (GT-SC1) | |
Six credits of the following: | 6 | |
ACC 201 | Introduction to Financial Accounting | |
ANTH 218 | Biological Anthropology (with laboratory) | |
ANTH 344 | Native North America | |
ANTH 467 | Ethnography Field School | |
ANTH 469 | Archaeology Field School | |
ART 222 | Art History I | |
ART 223 | Art History II (GT-AH1) | |
ART 321 | American Art: Colonial to Modern | |
BUAD 185 | Business Communication | |
BUAD 210 | Legal Environment of Business | |
BUAD 270 | Principles of Marketing | |
BUAD 300 | Business Ethics | |
COM 205 | Communication Arts I | |
COM 274 | Public Relations Communication | |
COM 305 | Communication Arts II | |
COM 323 | Media/ Arts Management | |
COM 346 | Multimedia Communication | |
CS 120 | Professional Computer Skills | |
CS 160 | Introduction to Web Design | |
GEOG 120 | Introduction to Human Geography (GT-SS2) | |
GEOG 340 | INTRO GEOGRAPHIC INFO SYSTEMS | |
GEOG 371 | UAV Imagery Acquisition | |
GEOG 372 | Satellite Remote Sensing | |
GEOG 375 | Web GIS | |
GEOG 460 | Geospatial Analysis | |
GEOG 482 | Advanced Applications in GIS | |
GEOG 499 | Internship in Geography | |
POLS 282 | Issues in State and Local Government | |
ROE 230 | Interpretation of Natural and Cultural History | |
ROE 235 | Foundations of Teaching Environmental Education | |
Total Credits | 33 |
Capstone Course Requirement
The following course in the History Major fulfills the Capstone Course Requirement: HIST 402 Engaging the Past.
Graduation Requirements
Undergraduate programs require a minimum of 120 semester credits for graduation. Of those 120 credits, 40 credits must be in upper-division courses (those marked 300 and above). Fifteen of these 40 upper-division credits must be earned in courses that are part of the standard or comprehensive major program being pursued.
Students are expected to review all graduation requirements, which can be found in the Western Undergraduate Catalog: Graduation Requirements.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
ANTH 107 | Introduction to General Anthropology | 3 |
ENG 102 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
ENVS 100 | Introduction to Environment and Sustainability (GT-SS2) | 3 |
HIST 1XX | 100-level HIST (GT-HI1) | 3 |
HWTR 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
MATH 113 | Statistical Thinking (GT-MA1) | 3 |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
ANTH 218 | Biological Anthropology (with laboratory) | 4 |
ENG 103 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
Gen Ed | Arts & Humanities | 3 |
HIST 1XX | 100-level HIST (GT-HI1) | 3 |
HIST 200 | Historical Inquiry | 3 |
Credits | 16 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
ANTH 219 | Archaeology (with laboratory) | 4 |
GEOG 222 | Our Digital Earth | 3 |
Rel. Field | Public History elective (related field) | 3-4 |
Gen Ed | Natural Sciences w/lab (BIOL 130/BIOL 135 or GEOL 101/GEOL 105 or BIOL 150) | 4 |
Credits | 14-15 | |
Spring | ||
HIST 370 | Public History | 3 |
ANTH 230 | Cultural Anthropology (with laboratory) | 4 |
ANTH 377 | Cultural Resource Management | 3 |
COM 231 | Stagecraft I | 3 |
Credits | 13 | |
Summer | ||
HIST 371 | Oral History Workshop | 3 |
HIST 373 | History of the National Park Service | 3 |
Credits | 6 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
HIST 399 | Internship in History | 3 |
HIST 3XX | Upper-division history elective | 3 |
Gen Ed | Arts & Humanities | 3 |
Elective | Elective | 3-4 |
Elective | Elective | 3 |
Credits | 15-16 | |
Spring | ||
HIST 372 | Monuments and Museums | 3 |
HIST 3XX | Upper-division history elective | 3 |
Gen Ed | Arts & Humanities | 3 |
Elective | Elective | 3 |
Elective | Elective | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
Elective | Elective | 3 |
Elective | Elective (upper-division) | 3 |
Elective | Elective (upper-division) | 3 |
Elective | Elective (upper-division) | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Spring | ||
Elective | Elective | 3 |
Elective | Elective (upper-division) | 3 |
Elective | Elective (upper-division) | 3 |
HIST 402 | Engaging the Past | 3 |
Credits | 12 | |
Total Credits | 119-121 |
Careers
Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.
Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.
Scholarships
Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsWestern’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsAlumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.
Get Involved
Expand your community and your network.
There are so many ways that you can maximize your educational experience at Western Colorado University. Take advantage of these opportunities to advance your career.
- Field Experience: Public History majors travel to historical locations and visit local, regional and state museums and archives.
- History Honor Society: Join Iota Nu Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, one of Western’s oldest academic honor societies.
- History League: Sponsors student activities including movie nights, Ancient Games and historical field trips.
- Internships: Land an internship with local, regional, state and national museums, historical preservation commissions, and historical societies.
- Study Abroad: Travel to India, Ecuador, Prague, London, Italy or Belize through Extended Studies and earn History credit through independent study or transfer credit.
History buffs
The Public History emphasis is built on a core of History courses, which introduce students to the associated fields of historic preservation, archival sciences, museum curatorship and oral history while being supported by academic historical content courses.
News & Research
Department Information
Behavioral & Social Sciences (BASS) Department
Department Chairperson
Heather Thiessen-Reily, Ph.D.Professor of History
Administrative Assistant
Patricia McCarthyDepartment of Behavioral and Social Sciences Administrative Assistant
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Kelley Hall 240
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231