Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Public History
Students who already hold an M.A. in History or a closely-related field and have an interest in pursuing a career in public history may apply to the History Department to pursue a Public History Certificate. The student may pursue a specific area of interest, such as archives or community history, or take a more general course of study.
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog.
Students who already hold an B.A. in History or a closely-related field and have an interest in pursuing a career in public history may apply to the History Department to pursue a Public History Certificate. The student may pursue a specific area of interest, such as archives or community history, or take a more general course of study.
This fifteen-hour Certificate allows students to create a more general or specific concentration in public history. All students take a course on History and the Public, three graduate seminars, and a public history internship. Students may take Museum Studies courses at the Atlanta History Center as part of this option.
Courses are offered at the Carrollton Campus, Atlanta History Center, and the National Park Service Southeast Regional Office.
Program Location
Carrollton Campus
Method of Delivery
Most courses are delivered face to face with a small selection of courses that are being offered that are hybrid (partially online) or fully online.
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 15
Maximum Hours Transferable into program: 0*
*No credits can be transferred
Graduate students may be able to reduce their cost through prior learning, previous degrees earned at UWG, or transfer credits. We have created a tool to help students estimate their tuition costs.
Full-time students pursuing the Public History Certificate, taking either two or three courses, may be eligible for a Graduate Research Assistantship. These assistantships provide a stipend and tuition waiver in exchange for a work experience in public history, sponsored either at UWG (Center for Public History, Waring Archaeology Laboratory, or Annie Belle Weaver Special Collections) or at a public history organization in the region.
This program may be earned entirely face-to-face. However, depending on the courses chosen, a student may choose to take some partially or fully online courses.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited universities of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, he/she will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Coursework
The student may pursue a specific area of interest, such as archives or community history, or take a more general course of study.
General
An examination of the development, philosophies and activities in the field of public history and the ethical issues which public historians face.
An examination of the philosophy, ethics and practice of oral history, with specific training in interview and transcription techniques, and the use of oral history in historical research and analysis.
An introduction to the principles of archival theory and management from appraisal and acquisitions through arrangement, description, preservation and public access. Includes a practicum experience.
A survey of American architecture in its social and cultural context form colonial America through the present day.
This course, required for all MA students on the Public History track, is designed to introduce graduate students to the theory and practice of public history. This class will expose students to some classic as well as new scholarship in the field, explore issues in public history practice, and offer hands-on, practical experience.
Advanced training in arranging, describing and processing archival collections for graduate students interested in archives work.
Examines methods and theories for studying material culture from an interdisciplinary perspective, analyzing what material culture reveals about the culture and society in which it was created with an emphasis on America. Required for Museum Studies Certificate.
An examination of the traditional, expressive, shared culture of various groups in the United States through its history, emphasizing analysis of regional folklife traditions and folklife research and fieldwork methods.
Study of administrative functions: governance, financing, grant-writing, public relations, marketing, human resources, accreditation, and museum law and ethics. Taught in association with Atlanta History Center.
An examination of the processes by which a museum manages it collection. Taught in association with Atlanta History Center and involves a practicum experience.
Studies include interpretative principles and techniques, school programs, adult and community programs, staffing, marketing and other programming logistics. Taught in association with Atlanta History Center.
An examination of how museums create exhibits using various interpretive techniques, from planning and research through exhibit design, display techniques, script-writing and installation. Taught in association with Atlanta History Center.
Experience in applying history in a museum, historical society, archive, historic preservation agency, or other public history setting. Students must maintain a journal develop a portfolio of their work.
Assignments by major professors which could involve special lectures, research and readings. Approval of major professor and department chair needed before enrolling.
No faculty members listed
Guidelines for Admittance
- All graduate applicants must complete the online Grad Application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- Applicants should also review the Graduate Studies Website for individual program specific requirements and tasks that must be completed prior to admission. See Graduate Studies Application Process.
- International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. See Procedures for International Students.
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Admissions Office.
Program Specific Admittance Guidelines
Students enrolled as M.A. students at West Georgia: Students who are currently enrolled in the M.A. program may take courses that count for the Public History Certificate, but they may need to take one or two additional classes to complete the Certificate requirements. If students complete the Certificate after earning their M.A. degree, they will need to apply to the Public History Certificate and be admitted before enrolling to complete these classes.
For individuals who already possess a B.A. or M.A. degree: Individuals holding a B.A. or M.A. degree in History or a related field may apply for the Public History Certificate. Those with a field outside of History but a B.A. or M.A. in an academic area they hope to curate (e.g. Art History, Anthropology, or Archaeology) may apply for the Public History Certificate.
Interested applicants must submit a Graduate Application and official transcripts from all schools attended.
Application Deadlines
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
* Application, app fee, and document deadline
See The Scoop for more specific deadlines.
Admission Process Checklist
The Graduate Studies Application Process checklist is available here
One exception: If you will not ever be traveling to a UWG campus or site, you may apply for an Immunization Exemption. Contact the Immunization Clerk with your request.
Contact
For more information on the Museum Studies Program, please contact:
Dr. Ann McCleary, History Department
University of West Georgia
Carrollton, GA 30118
678-839-6041
amcclear@westga.edu
Specific dates for Admissions (Undergraduate Only), Financial Aid, Fee Payment, Registration, Start/End of Term Dates, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
- Students who complete the Public History Certificate program will understand the professional practices and ethics associated with the field of public history.
- Students will demonstrate proficiency in the field of public history in at least two skill areas: archives; museum collections management; museum education; oral history; museum education and interpretation; material culture; folklife; museum exhibits; and/or a skill approved by the certificate program director.
- Students will demonstrate the application of the understanding of the field of public history by completing an internship under the supervision of a public history professional.