Public History Minor
Table of Contents
Why Should I Consider This Minor
Public History, also sometimes known as “applied history,” includes the production and presentation of historical interpretations for the general public and for more specialized audiences. Many historical consultants, museum professionals, government historians, archivists, oral historians, cultural resource managers, curators, video and media producers, historic preservationists, policy advisors, and local historians consider themselves public historians. Unlike history teachers, who often work as individuals to design and deliver their courses, most public historians work in cooperation with community members and professionals from other disciplinary backgrounds.
If you are interested in history but are not particularly interested in teaching, you should consider a public history minor. The public history minor can help to prepare you for a career as a historical consultant, museum professional, archivist, cultural resource manager, video and media producer, historic preservationist, or policy advisor.
Advising
Our tenured and tenure-track history faculty act as our advisors. Dr. Josh Cerretti is the Public History Advisor.
Visit our Advising Resources page for more information.
To get started:
- No prerequisites are required for declaring a minor in Public History.
- Students need to contact faculty advisor, Dr. Cerretti (joshua.cerretti@wwu.edu), before declaring their minor and are strongly encouraged to meet with their advisor regularly to plan, track progress, and discuss future goals.
- History Faculty Advisors must approve major/minor declaration forms and degree evaluations.
Have more questions? Contact the History Department's Office assistant (history@wwu.edu) or (360-650-2324).
Degree Planning
- Degree Works is Western’s primary academic planning and degree progress tool. You can learn more about Degree Works on the Registrar’s Office website.
- Your advisor will help you use this tool to track progress toward graduation.
- Degree Works is designed to aid and facilitate academic advising but is not intended to replace face-to-face advising sessions.
The Degree Planning Sheet below is an optional supplement (not a replacement for Degree Works).
History Courses
Check Browse Classes for departmental offerings each quarter.
Any override requests (except for HIST 499) should be sent directly to the instructor of the desired course.
Other History Options
- BA, History (65 credits)
- BA, History/Social Studies (95 credits)
- BAE, History-Elementary (45 credits)
- Minor in History (25 credits) or Minor in Foreign Cultures
- Major or minor in Area Studies:
Requirements
Required for Graduation
Minimum 25 credits, with at least 10 upper-division credits.
All grades must be C- or higher with a minimum 2.5 GPA in History courses.
- HIST 393 Public History Seminar (5 Credits).
- HIST 494 Public History Internship (3-5 credits and repeatable up to 10 credits).
- 15-17 additional credits under advisement outside the department of the student's declared major.
- One methods course strongly recommended.
Before completing the forms below, please review with the Faculty Public History Advisor.
- For details about the Public History Program, see the manual.
- The Public Internship Project Proposal should be filled out by students interested in an internship.
- The Overview and Agreement need to be filled out by the student and the supervisor of the host institution.
Tips for New Minors
Students arrive with varying course preparations, so consider your own circumstances.
- Complete your GURs as soon as possible.
- Choose courses in areas that interest you, under advisement from your advisor.
Students who have earned Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credit in history should not take the equivalent courses at Western.
- For more information about Transfer Credits, review the policies on the Admissions page and utilize the Transfer Course Equivalency Guide.