Program Overview

Department of History

The Department of History offers various academic programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as a Public History Program and a Certificate in Public History.

Academics

• Undergraduate
• Public History Program
• Graduate
• Master's in Global and Comparative History

Public History

The Public History Program provides students with practical and meaningful hands-on experience at historical sites and agencies in New Jersey. The program includes a Public History Internship, which allows students to work at museums, archives, libraries, historic sites, and other public and non-profit agencies.

Public History Internship

The Public History Internship is a 3-credit course (506:451) open to undergraduate history majors, minors, and students pursuing the Public History Certificate. In this course, students are placed at a history-related non-profit or other historical agency or institution in New Jersey and receive instruction from experienced public historians. Each semester, the internship cohort meets as a class throughout the semester to discuss their experiences, learn more about public history, and hear from a variety of guest speakers who work in the field.

• Students interested in pursuing a public history internship should meet with the director of the Public History Program to discuss their interests and the potentially available opportunities.
• Students may take a maximum of one internship placement through the program, for a maximum of 3 course credits.
• Students should meet with the coordinator no later than the middle of the semester preceding the semester in which they want to do an internship.
• To earn credit, students must work a minimum of 112 hours at the site and attend biweekly class meetings throughout the semester of the placement.

Internship Site Partners and Placements

A sampling of some of the work students do in their internship placements includes:

• An interactive timeline on the history of the Raritan River
• New Brunswick Black History Digital Archive
• Portion of a traveling exhibition, "Climate Justice is Worker Justice" (Climates of Inequality, Humanities Action Lab)
• Collaborated on interpretation of the Zimmerli Art Museum's "American Stories" collection and exhibition
• Developed a program for historical walking tours featuring the Scarlet and Black Project
• And more!

Requirements and Admission Criteria

The Public History Internship satisfies the seminar requirement for history majors and is a required course for the Public History Certificate. Students interested in pursuing a public history internship should meet with the director of the Public History Program to discuss their interests and the potentially available opportunities.

Research Areas

The Department of History offers research opportunities in various areas, including global and comparative history, public history, and more. The Public History Program provides students with hands-on experience in historical research, preservation, and interpretation.

Program Details

The Public History Program and the Public History Internship provide students with a comprehensive education in public history, including theoretical foundations, practical skills, and hands-on experience. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in museums, archives, libraries, historic sites, and other public and non-profit agencies.

Conclusion

The Department of History at Rutgers University offers a range of academic programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as a Public History Program and a Certificate in Public History. The Public History Internship provides students with practical and meaningful hands-on experience at historical sites and agencies in New Jersey, preparing them for careers in public history and related fields.