CERT
Certificate

Public History

Bring the past to life with SUNY Empire’s online Graduate Certificate in Public History.

Designed for professionals in museums, archives, education, and cultural organizations, this 15-credit program helps you build essential skills in oral history, exhibition design, and archival practice. You’ll explore how history is preserved, interpreted, and shared with the public, while preparing to lead meaningful storytelling and engagement in a variety of community settings. Flexible online courses and a required internship help you turn your passion for history into real-world impact. 

 

Our team can help you prepare for the next step in your career.

Graduate Certificate in Public History 

CERT
Earn your Graduate Certificate in Public History online and build the skills to share history with diverse audiences. This flexible program helps you explore exhibition development, oral history, archival methods, and public storytelling. You will gain practical tools to interpret and present the past in museums, historic sites, classrooms, and community settings so you can lead meaningful public engagement with history.

Format

100% Online

How it Works

Tuition

$471 / credit

Tuition & Fees

Credits

15

Course Catalog

Next term starts

Fall 2025

  • Course List:  

     

    • Students may begin this 15-credit certificate in the fall, spring or summer terms. The required courses and suggested sequence are as follows: 

    • PBHS 6040 

      Museums and Public History: Theory & Practices  

       

    • PBHS 6105 

      Exhibition: Planning & Interpretation  

       

    • PBHS 6215 

      Oral History: Theory & Methods  

       

    • PBHS 6325 

      Archival Theory & Practice  

       

    • PBHS 7005 

      Public History Internship 

       

Ready to Apply?

The deadline for the Fall 2025 term is August 1. How to Apply

Gain Practical Tools to Share the Past 

What you’ll learn in this public history program:

  • Design and interpret historical exhibits
  • Conduct and document oral histories
  • Apply archival theory and practice
  • Understand public history ethics and strategy

Make History Relevant in Today’s World

Use your public history certificate to build or enhance a career in cultural preservation, education, or outreach. Graduates pursue roles such as: 

  • Museum Educator 
  • Archivist 
  • Oral Historian 
  • Exhibition Planner 
  • Heritage Site Coordinator 
Career Services
student poses for photo in front of windows
Margaret is a Museum Educator at the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum in the Bronx. On top of being a working graduate student, she was also a single mother and caretaker for her parents while attending SUNY Empire. 
Margaret
Master of Arts in Public History (‘24)

Interested? Start Here

1

Bring History to Life for Public Audiences 

We're here to support you every step of the way as you pursue your Graduate Certificate in Public History. Our dedicated advisors will help you stay on track, build your skills in research and interpretation, and prepare you to share historical narratives through museums, archives, education programs, and community-based projects. 

 

 

Request Info
person types on laptop
2

Apply for the Graduate Certificate Program in Public History

Make sure you have all the admissions requirements and complete your application to be ready for our next term! 

How To Apply

Next start term

Fall 2025

Deadline to apply

August 1

Start 

as soon as September 2, 2025.

Interested in the Graduate Certificate in Public History?

Learn more and get started.

Loading...