Online Graduate Certificate in Public History
Are you passionate about engaging communities with the production, curation and interpretation of history? If so, you may be an ideal candidate to pursue this graduate certificate in public history online from Arizona State University. This program empowers you to apply advanced historical techniques and methods within national parks, film and media, museums and other areas of the heritage sector.
Quick facts
Next start date: 01/13/2025
Total classes: 5
Weeks per class: 7.5
Total credit hours: 15
Put history to work in the world
This graduate certificate emphasizes the broad applications of public history in modern society from historical museums and state archives to federal agencies and entertainment. While historical practices may be similar, all sectors of the heritage industry require distinct approaches to curating historic and heritage resources. In your courses, you’ll study historical practices and techniques that support your career goals. You’ll enhance your knowledge in areas such as:
- Archival training.
- Cultural resources management.
- Digital humanities and methodologies.
- Historic preservation.
- Historical administration.
- Local and community history.
- Museum studies.
- Oral history.
- Scholarly publishing.
Who’s a good candidate for this program?
This public history graduate certificate can complement a variety of backgrounds from history and the humanities to education and the social sciences. As an ideal candidate, you’ll have an interest in advancing your career in the heritage industry, whether you already work professionally in the field, volunteer or want to make a career shift. You may also be a K-12 teacher seeking skills to foster student engagement with history.
Additionally, this program can enhance your graduate studies in degree programs such as ASU’s online Master of Arts in history, Master of Arts in World War II studies or any humanities master’s program. The master’s in history in particular emphasizes public history and adding this certificate can provide you with an educational credential in this area.
What can you do with a public history graduate certificate?
Formalized knowledge and training in public history can open doors to career opportunities in various settings, including museums, university archives, national parks and the private sector. You’ll also have enhanced employability in libraries, archives and municipal governance in the preservation sector.
Will my certificate say "online"?
No, Arizona State University’s certificates and diplomas don’t specify whether you earn them online or in person. All certificates, diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”
Public history courses
This certificate is designed for flexibility. In the program, you’ll complete two core courses, one of which is a professional field experience at a historical institution of your choosing. Your remaining courses will be electives in your interest areas, covering topics such as genealogy, archives, historic preservation and communicating history in the public sphere.
The careers in public history you’ll be prepared for
This public history graduate certificate will prepare you for a breadth of careers in the heritage industry and beyond. You can pursue roles as a historic preservation officer, researcher or writer. You’ll also be equipped for historian and curatorial roles in museums and government agencies at all levels. Additionally, you can seek interpretive roles in fields such as archaeological sites, film and media, community development and more. More potential career paths include, but aren’t limited to:
Learn from leading experts in public history
From Royal Society and American Academy Fellows to Marshall and Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipients, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is home to prestigious students and faculty members who include:
- Fulbright American Scholars.
- Guggenheim Fellows.
- MacArthur Fellows.
- Nobel laureates.
Learn from leading experts in public history
From Royal Society and American Academy Fellows to Marshall and Barry Goldwater Scholarship recipients, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is home to prestigious students and faculty members who include:
- Fulbright American Scholars.
- Guggenheim Fellows.
- MacArthur Fellows.
- Nobel laureates.
How to apply
Applicants to the graduate certificate in public history must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
The largest and most diverse college at ASU
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences takes a transdisciplinary approach to education with a vast spectrum of degrees in the social sciences, natural sciences and humanities. We inspire students to become socially aware critical thinkers and global citizens.
25,500+
currently enrolled students.
$170 million
in research expenditures in 2022.
23
interdisciplinary schools and departments.
100+
undergraduate degrees.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
