Master of Arts in Public History

Launched in 1980 with Dr. Barbara J. Howe as its first director, the WVU Public History program has prepared students for careers as professional historians for over four decades. WVU offers a PhD field in Public History, an MA in Public History, and graduate certificates in Cultural Resource Management and Geographic Information Systems.

Public historians work in museums, archives, historic preservation, for the federal government, or as research consultants (e.g., for corporate histories and commemorative events). For more information on the definition of public history, please visit the National Council on Public History.

The public history program trains historians who work in the public sector by grounding them in traditional research methodology learned in seminars and through public history courses designed to give students practical experience conducting client-based research. The work of public historians often requires a distinct set of research skills that moves beyond traditional archival research and historiographical argumentation. All students in public history learn to incorporate visual and material culture into historical narratives, use place as the center of historical analysis, and develop written and digital narratives that convey historical complexity that can engage public audiences. 

Internships provide the day-to-day experience of working at a historical institution. The Department of History offers guidance for undergraduate and graduate students seeking internships and has a unique partnership with several National Park Service sites. In partnership with the West Virginia & Regional History, the Public History program is able offer competitive Graduate Assistantships that can meet requirements for the internship. The Public History at WVU Facebook  page is an excellent resource for learning more about the professional activity of current students and alumni.

Professional development is essential to the WVU Public History program and the program often provides financial assistance for students to travel to state, regional and national conferences. The department is an institutional member of American Association for State and Local History. 

The  Cultural Resource Management (CRM) Certificate can be earned in conjunction with the M.A. Public History and adjacent degree programs, emphasizing practical skills for students interested in historic preservation. 

Undergraduate courses in public history include HIST 412: Introduction to Public History and HIST 409: Historic Preservation. The program often makes internship programs, workshops, and professional development available to undergraduates. Please contact the Director,  Melissa Bingmann, to be added to the listserv if you wish to receive notices about these opportunities.

For more information, view our  program of study and  course descriptions.

Meet our public history alumni