Interpreting the past unlocks the future.
Public History is the study and application of history outside the academic setting. Public historians use professional expertise and skills to document the past and to present it to the public in these settings. They curate and interpret museum collections, uncover and process archival materials and other primary sources, document an area’s historic structures, conduct oral histories, create documentary films, work in tourism development and help preserve historic buildings and sites. Most importantly, they possess unparalleled investigative, critical and analytical capabilities, and they apply the tools of their craft in a broad spectrum of work environments.
The Public History Certificate Program at ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ trains students to work as professionals in these types of endeavors. Students have the unique opportunity to take advantage of cutting-edge programs through coursework, internships and classes within the History Department and other departments on campus.
Learn More About This Program
ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ’s College of Arts & Sciences is your direct connection to a classic, broad-based education to satisfy both your intellectual curiosity and career goals. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, small classes and individualized learning opportunities, we put students at the center of all our decisions and events.
We blend the liberal arts with pre-professional courses and hands-on learning to prepare you for careers in the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities. You’ll learn through small, engaging classes and relationships with faculty mentors; hone your skills to solve problems; and learn to use creativity and critical thinking to make informed decisions.
Internship Possibilities
The Career Services staff helps Shenandoah students search and apply for internships related to their major and career goals. Internships differentiate you as an applicant in your future job searches, provide hands on experience in your field, allow you to sample different career paths for your major, and help you find a specific position that fits your passion before graduation.
Career Possibilities
History provides a firm foundation for many careers including museum and curatorial positions, law, journalism, teaching, government service, foreign service, as well as admission to graduate study in a specialized field.
The Career Services office provides a comprehensive range of services and resources to assist Shenandoah students in their career search. Services offered include resume and cover letter building, mock interviews, and professional dining etiquette workshops.
Classes
You Will Learn:
- historical traditions of world and U.S. history
- political theory
- methods of historical research and writing and other disciplines such as economics, literature and art, which bear on the historical process
You will choose electives that develop depth in an area of emphasis such as American or European political and cultural histories or historic preservation.
A major in History also allows you to prepare for the teaching profession at the elementary, middle and secondary levels.
Required courses in the history major provide introductions to the primary historical traditions of world and U.S. history, political theory, methods of historical research and writing and other disciplines such as economics, literature and art, which bear on the historical process. Students are encouraged to use elective hours to develop depth in an area of emphasis such as American or European political and cultural histories or historic preservation. Students may also prepare for the teaching profession at the elementary, middle and secondary levels.
Learning support services are available to all students in every course at Shenandoah. Free peer tutoring with a student who has previously succeeded in the course is available for any course across the university. The Writing Center is available for every stage of the writing process from thesis development to proofreading and bibliography assistance. The Math Enrichment Center is available for math and science assistance. Professors and Academic Advisors across the university also have office hours and open door policies to ensure Shenandoah students succeed academically.
Faculty
Our small student-to-faculty ratio allows for a personalized education. Faculty maintain an open-door policy to advise students on major requirements, course work and career planning.
Imagine participating in interesting conversations led by engaging professors who’ve already done what you dream of doing. You’ll be in a small class — the average class size is approximately 12 students — with professors who know your name, care about your success and provide advice as you pursue your academic and career goals.
Application Information
ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ operates on rolling admissions. This means that applications are accepted throughout the year, without specific application deadlines.
Undergraduate Applicant Materials
- Complete the Undergraduate Application
- Submit official transcripts from each institution attended
- Submit official SAT or ACT test scores
Study Abroad
Make studying abroad the highlight of your college experience! Whether you go for a year, a semester, or just a few weeks. You will never forget learning in another culture! The Center for International Programs is here to help you plan your study abroad experience. Start your planning early to ensure the courses you complete abroad count toward your degree and you graduate on time.
Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program
The Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Program offers Shenandoah students a short-term, faculty-led, study-abroad experience for academic credit. Â These short-term, credit-bearing, faculty-led programs are offered winter break, spring break, and during the summer. If a course is not within your major, it might be used as an elective.
Study Abroad
ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a global network of 300 universities. This partnership allows students to study for a full semester or year at other member campuses abroad. By working closely with their academic advisors and the study abroad advisor, students can take classes taught in English abroad while receiving Shenandoah credit.
ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ also maintains direct partnerships with several universities around the world.  These relationships allow students from SU to study abroad as exchange students and students from these universities to study at SU.  All partner universities offer courses taught in English.