Classical, Medieval and Renaissance Studies
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Public History Major in Pennsylvania
Are you interested in how the study of the past can be applied to meet real world public needs? If so, earn your bachelor's degree in public history at Messiah University, a nationally ranked Christian university in Pennsylvania.
Study Public History at a Christian University
In Messiah University’s one-of-a-kind public history major, you’ll study traditional American history complemented by the study of various cultures through world history alongside courses in archaeology, while using digital tools such as multimedia storytelling and web development. Students in the public history program will be able to explain the influence of past political, social, cultural, economic and religious practices and structures in the field of public history, and understand the theories and ethics that shape professional practice in public history institutions. An internship is required in the public history major. Coursework is enriched by opportunities to work with professors on research; intern at museums, historical archives and governmental agencies; study abroad for a semester and shorter term; teach in local schools; and train in archaeology, both locally and abroad.
As a Public history major at Messiah University, you’ll be able to:
- Participate in a major that offers a set of core courses in public history along with additional training in communications, business administration, computer and information sciences, and art history.
- Intern with state and federal government offices, archives, public history organizations, museums, institutions of historic preservation and law firms.
- Study historical archaeology and participate in archaeological explorations in Pennsylvania and the Mediterranean. Messiah is one of the few Christian universities to offer opportunities in archaeological fieldwork!
- Study abroad and visit cities rich in history like Barcelona, Paris, Rome and Athens. Or, consider studying in our nation’s capital.
- Take advantage of the strong internship requirements to gain hands on immersive experiences in public history.
- Complete undergraduate research supervised by a faculty member that can also be disseminated through honor's presentations, the Spring Humanities Symposium, conferences and workshops.
- Delve into our library’s substantial history collection, computer-based bibliographic and statistical resources, up-to-date set of major monographs in each historical field and a far-reaching interlibrary loan system.
- Complete a minor in English, politics, economics, languages, journalism, communication or business.
- Pair this major with the B.A. in business administration as a secondary (double) major, if you wish. Within your primary field of study, learning critical business skills can open up additional opportunities for you after graduation.
- Take challenging and thought-provoking courses such as the Age of Hamilton, Archaeology of Greece, Women and Gender in American History, Ancient Rome, among others.
- Join Phi Alpha Theta, one of the oldest national honor societies in America, or the History Club.
- Learn to practice historically-informed ways of thinking about the world, looking at the root, causes and contexts.
- Work with students from other disciplines on the Digital Harrisburg Initiative, a series of public history projects devoted to telling the stories of Harrisburg.
- Study with professional historians while being grounded within a long tradition of Christian moral reflection.
As a graduate of the public history program, you’ll be able to secure positions such as:
- Public history associate
- Museum curator
- Researcher
- Educator
- Historical preservationist
- Public historian
- Archivist
- Film/documentarian
- Librarian
- Digital media specialist
For more information on career planning for the biblical and religious studies program, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
Messiah’s nationally recognized programs place students in a variety of history internships. A few examples include:
- Public programs at a museum or national park
- Museum tour guide
- Museum exhibits
- Historical research
- Libraries
- Archives
- Government agencies
- Non-Governmental organizations
Programs related to Public History
In the Public History program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Course options for Public History :
Public History (B.A.)
Public History careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of the Public History program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
96% of the Class of 2022 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
MEET ALUMNI FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY, POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.