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Public/Applied History

Program Description

Just the Facts

Public/Applied History. A program that focuses on the application of history and administrative skills to the recording of public events and the management of related historical resources. Includes instruction in historical research methods, the planning and administration of public history projects, and applications to specific problems in public organizations, government agencies, foundations, and other facilities.

This program is available in these options:

  • Certificate / Diploma
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Graduate Certificate
  • Master's degree
  • Doctoral degree

High School Courses

See the high school courses recommended for programs in this career cluster:

See the high school courses recommended for programs in this pathway:


Related Careers

Check out related careers


Additional Information

Students who graduate from archival studies programs are not just keepers of history and historical records. They actually help us chart the future by giving us access to information.

So how can you enter this field? The requirements are quite specific.

Employment as an archivist usually requires graduate education and related work experience. Although archivists earn a variety of undergraduate degrees, a graduate degree in history or library science, with courses in archival science, is preferred by most employers.

A master's degree in archival studies is the preference in Tom Nesmith's area. He is a professor and the director of a master's program in archival studies.

"The education that librarians receive in most library schools is very distinct from the education an archivist receives," says Nesmith. "That is not to say that library schools ignore the archival side, because there is usually a course or two [on archives] in library education."

You'll need a bachelor's degree to get into a master's-level studies program (or a library science program). And grades matter -- admission to graduate school is competitive.

Bruce W. Dearstyne is a professor at the college of information studies at the University of Maryland. He oversees the archival studies program.

He recommends getting a bachelor's degree in history. Students should love history and be able to write about it well, he says.

That means taking history in high school. You should also hone your thinking, reading and writing skills. Write for your student newspaper, join a debate club or serve in student government, suggests Nesmith. Being comfortable around computers also helps.

To help with costs, you may be able to work as a teaching assistant. Many students also hold part-time jobs.

You may not have to spend a lot of money on textbooks. Students have to do a lot of reading, but most of it consists of articles in scholarly journals and reports that can be photocopied. A lot of reading material may also come from the mainstream media, says Nesmith.

Note that you may have to hire professionals to proof, edit and bind your thesis.


Links

Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Archivists, Curators and Museum Technicians

The Archivist's Daybook
Find out when and where the next gathering will be

Society of American Archivists
Find an archival education program near you

National Archives
Research historical information, records and documents

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

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