Public History University of California, Riverside

Overview

The Public History programme at the University of California, Riverside offers a sophisticated blend of traditional historiography and modern professional training. Students engage deeply with academic research while preparing for impactful roles in public engagement, digital humanities, and historic preservation.

This degree is specifically structured to bridge the gap between scholarly historical inquiry and the practical needs of the public sector. By focusing on diverse realms such as archival management and museum studies, the curriculum ensures that graduates are well-equipped to handle the complexities of modern historical representation.

Why Public History at the University of California, Riverside?

The University of California, Riverside provides a distinctive environment for historical study, featuring a Department of History that emphasises both research excellence and community involvement. Students benefit from a structured pathway that includes a mandatory ten-week internship at a cooperating professional institution.

The institution offers unique facilities and a supportive academic community where learners can specialise in specific historical fields alongside their public history training. This dual focus allows for a customisable educational experience that aligns with individual career goals and scholarly interests.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 12005 per semester
• National fee: USD 12005 per semester
• Local fee: USD 4490 per semester

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum requires a minimum of 40 units and includes a combination of graduate seminars and practical applications. Modules may include:

• History Research Seminar
• History Graduate Reading Seminars
• Public History
• Internship Field Report
• Upper-division History

In addition to these core areas, students must complete a professional internship and pass a two-part oral examination. The coursework is designed to be completed within a normative timeframe of six quarters, providing a balanced schedule of seminars and field-based learning.

Careers with Public History

Graduates of this programme are prepared for a wide variety of professional roles outside of traditional academia. The training provided by the University of California, Riverside enables students to pursue successful careers in diverse sectors of the humanities and heritage industries.

Common career paths for graduates include roles within archives, museums, and historic preservation agencies. Additionally, the programme prepares individuals for work in digital history and other forms of public engagement, where they can apply their skills in research and historiography to serve the broader community.

The focus on practical experience through the internship component ensures that students have established professional connections and a field report that demonstrates their expertise. This practical foundation is highly valued by employers in both the public and private sectors of the history field.