Wayne State launches new undergraduate degree in public history

At Wayne State University, history isn't just something students study. It's something they share, interpret and bring to life in the communities around them.

This semester, the Department of History launched a new bachelor of arts in public history, an undergraduate program designed to prepare students for careers that connect the past with the public through museums, cultural institutions and community organizations.

"Public historians communicate history to a broad audience and build bridges between academia, businesses, public institutions and the community," said Dr. Hans Hummer, professor and director of public history and internships. "A degree in public history prepares students for careers in museums, public service, preservation, parks and recreation, and nonprofit or business sectors."

While a traditional history degree can lead to similar paths, the new program is intentionally career-focused, according to Hummer.

"Public history is explicitly designed for non-academic careers, hence a curriculum that entails the interdisciplinary study of history, information sciences, digital humanities, museums, and communications."

What's more, Wayne State is among a just small number of universities nationwide to offer a public history degree at the undergraduate level.

"There are a mere 16 B.A. programs in public history nationwide, so we are excited to offer students a degree path that at most universities is offered only at the graduate level," Hummer added.

Experiential learning in the heart of Detroit

A defining feature of WSU's program is its emphasis on hands-on experience. Internships are a cornerstone, giving students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings across metro Detroit.

In recent years, the department has placed 25 undergraduate history students in internships with organizations including Pewabic Pottery, the Detroit Historical Museum, the Detroit Justice Center, the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, the Zekelman Holocaust Center and the Detroit Sound Conservancy.

"We're excited to open up more opportunities for students to engage the extraordinarily rich cultural hub of Detroit, where our department partners with many cultural institutions to provide enriching career paths and hands-on training for our students in the non-profit and public-service sectors," Hummer said.

Located in Midtown, Wayne State is in one of the region's most vibrant cultural districts, putting students within walking distance of institutions such as the Detroit Historical Museum and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

"It's so gratifying to witness the difference an internship makes for students," Hummer said. "Almost without fail, they mention how eye-opening the experience is and how they can finally make the connections between the skills they learn in the classroom with practical application."

Pathways beyond graduation

The new degree also strengthens existing pathways within the university, including the M.A. in public history, the joint M.A. in public history and library and information science, and graduate certificates in museum practice and archival administration.

As the field continues to grow, the new program will prepare Wayne State students to shape how history is shared and understood. To learn more, visit go.wayne.edu/public-history.

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