Oklahoma State University* | National Council on Public History

Oklahoma State University Public History

Last Updated: October 15, 2024

101 Social Sciences and Humanities
Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078-0001

[email protected]

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Director(s)

Laura J. Arata

[email protected]

405-744-5679

Program Introduction

Oklahoma State University has proudly offered a graduate program in Public History since 1987. The graduate program at OSU typically admits 5-7 new students each year, with many engaged in Public History. With multiple dedicated full-time faculty members, fresh courses that meet the modern needs of an expanding field, and innovative ongoing partnerships, students are prepared to enter diverse occupations. OSU offers Public History at all levels of study, from undergraduate to PhD. Undergraduate offerings include introductory courses and specialized offerings such as Dark Tourism, the Business of Public History, and Public History and Law. At the Master’s and PhD level core focuses include, but are not limited to, Museum Studies, Historic Preservation, and Oral History. There are opportunities to work directly with the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program. All graduate students may concurrently earn a Certificate in Museum Studies. Master’s level students complete intensive internship training in a field of their choice. At the PhD level, students have the option to complete the general field directly in Public History.

Degrees Offered

B.A. in History
M.A. in Public History
M.A. in History
M.A. in History with a Certificate or Concentration in Public History
Ph.D. in Public History
Ph.D. in History
Ph.D. in History with a Certificate or Concentration in Public History
Museum Studies Degree, Certificate, or Minor

Program Strengths

Business
Historic Preservation
Local/Community History
Museum Studies
Oral History
Other

Credit Hour Requirements

How Many Students are Admitted Annually

BA10

MA5

PhD2

MAs produced last year

Full-time Program Staff/Faculty

2 full time dedicated Public History faculty

5 faculty who have experience in specific adjacent fields

Financial Aid Available

Tuition Waiver
Assistantships
Fellowships
Internships
Stipends
Scholarships

Deadline To Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis

Internship Requirements

All Public History students at the Master's level complete a minimum of 6 credit hours of internship. Internships are arranged on an individual basis in consultation with the student's adviser and the Director of Public History. We are able to secure paid internships for most students.

Places Where Students Have Interned During the Past 3 Years

Bob Dylan Center Archives, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Arts Services LLC / State Conservator’s Office, Montpelier, Vermont

Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, Dallas, Texas

Douglas County Historical Society, Omaha, Nebraska

Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Friends of Guthrie Public Library, Guthrie, Oklahoma

Liberty Rural School, Fairview, Oklahoma

Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, Connecticut

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma Hall of Fame and Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

OKPop! Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma