MA in History, Public History Concentration

Last Updated: October 4, 2023

College of Liberal Arts
419 Allyn Hall, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy.

Dayton, OH 45435

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Director(s)

Dr. Sean Pollock
[email protected]

Program Introduction

In 1974, Wright State University History Department anticipated a growing need for preserving and interpreting the past in a range of popular forms. The result was a graduate curriculum in Historical and Archival Administration, the initial incarnation of today’s Public History Concentration. As of 2023, our graduates number over 350. It has grown to be one of the oldest and most respected programs in the country, attracting students nationwide. WSU Public History graduates work in major universities, corporations, historical societies, government record centers, national museums and archives, museums, libraries and at National Park sites across the country and around the world.

Degrees Offered

  • M.A. in History
  • M.A. in History with a Certificate or Concentration in Public History
  • Museum Studies Degree, Certificate, or Minor
  • Other

Program Strengths

  • Archival Practices
  • Business
  • Historic Preservation
  • Historical Administration
  • Local/Community History
  • Material Culture
  • Museum Studies
  • Oral History

Credit Hour Requirements

38

How Many Students are Admitted Annually

MA12-15

MAs produced last year

12

Full-time Program Staff/Faculty

8

Deadline To Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis

Internship Requirements

The Director of Public History ensures that the internship will meet the requirements of the degree prior to placing the student in the internship. The student writes an internship prospectus outlining the requirements and expectations of the internship as written by the host institution; it is approved by the onsite supervisor, the Director of Public History and agreed to by the student prior to beginning the internship. The onsite supervisor evaluates the student’s performance based on the following criteria: fulfillment of internship obligations, attention to detail, understanding of archival or museum studies principles as applied in this internship, effective communication, ability to make archival or museum studies decisions, and completion of all assigned duties. The student must submit an internship report at the conclusion of the experience. This is evaluated by the Director of Public History who assigns the grade based on the onsite supervisor’s assessment and the student’s report.

Places Where Students Have Interned During the Past 3 Years

  • Baseball Hall of Fame
  • Woodrow Wilson Center for International Education
  • Dayton History, Inc.
  • National Museum of the United States Air Force
  • National Park Service
  • Dayton Art Institute
  • University of Dayton Archives
  • Special Collections and Archives, Wright State University
  • Ohio Historical Society
  • Greene County Records Center and Archives
  • Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton Archives
  • Cincinnati Museum Center
  • Afro American Cultural Center and Museum
  • Lloyd Library and Museum, Cincinnati

Job Placement Assistance

An active mentoring program provides assistance for placement from alumni of the program. The university offers assistance through Career Services. The Director of Public History and all adjunct faculty assist students with job placement. A weekly email newsletter lists employment opportunities.

Employers Who Have Hired Graduates from this Program within the Past Five Years

  • Armstrong Air and Space Museum
  • National Museum of the United States Air Force
  • Scurry County Museum, Snyder Texas
  • Northern Michigan University
  • University of Dayton
  • American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
  • American Jewish Archives
  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Archives