If you are interested in helping the public better understand the historical significance of the world around them, then a history major with a concentration in Public History might be just what you have been seeking. Public historians work in archives, museums, at national parks and monuments, and in historical tourism, where they develop and implement plans to share their particular historical resources with both academic researchers and the broader public. Completion of this degree will prepare students for entry-level jobs in public history and as well as providing a firm foundation for graduate work in public history or related fields.
History for non-majors: History Minor
The Public History Concentration major exceeds the minimum standards provided by the National Council on Public History and provides students with a strong history background as well as public history training and hands-on experiences. Along with the current history major requirements, students in the public history concentration will take required courses in public history, archives management, and choose from a range of electives including art history, public budgeting, web design, and state and local government. Students can take up to two internships with local or national archives, museums, and other public history programs, for a total of 240 internship hours. Finally, the senior Capstone project allows students to put the knowledge they gained through their coursework and internships to use on an in-depth, independent public history project of their own devising.
The Mary Lou Peyton Scholarships provide history students with the resources to enhance their studies at The W through awards for tuition, study abroad, and internships. The scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to incoming freshmen or transfer students. Awards of up to $10,000 per year help history majors with education-related expenses and are renewable for up to four years. Additionally, awards of up to $5,000 help history students with expenses related to study abroad and internship opportunities.
In keeping with The W's Mission, the General Education Program provides students with the skills, knowledge, and values they need to become independent, productive members of society in our continually changing world.
The W's General Education Program provides a foundation in the liberal arts that includes knowledge in the historical, literary, aesthetic, scientific, and cultural traditions that shape the world, and fosters skills that allow students to become civically responsible life-long learners ready to adapt to new challenges.
All students who complete the Mississippi University for Women general education program will demonstrate:
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must include the following courses (or demonstrate equivalent competency) in their academic program:
To fulfill the language requirement for the B.A., students must complete the 202 level or above in a foreign language. For information on foreign language placement, see the Department of Languages, Literature, and Philosophy section in the Bulletin. If, upon entering the University, a student already has sufficient background to be successful in 201-202, he/she does not need to enroll in 101-102. The requirement is in essence six hours credit at the 200-level or above.
An introduction to the techniques of historical methodology, and to some of the major literature.
Choose Two:
Select at least one American History, at least one Eurpean History, and at least one Global History
Three courses at the 200 level or ablove taken from the following list (9 hours) or substitutions approved by department chair:
A study of the use and abuse of history and historical evidence in a broad perspective, using material which majors have produced in their past coursework, as represented by portfolios of the work. This course requires students to engage in primary and secondary source analysis, archival research, and the completion of an article-length paper.
Total Hours Required for a BA in History - Public History Concentration: 124 Semester Hours