Hands-on Research Experience
Students in our program conduct valuable research that easily translates in the professional world. They engage with public history through internships, class projects, and individual research. For example, our students have restored historic structures, created digital exhibits, and designed social studies curriculum. All of these initiatives are completed using cutting-edge methods and digital technologies.
Significant Partnerships
Partnerships with community organizations, businesses, non-profits and local governments give UCF’s public history students the opportunity to make connections and gain real-world experience. Some of our partners include historic societies, museums, businesses, and government institutions. These organizations teach students through hands-on learning in a variety of areas, including administration, preservation, restoration, museum education, exhibit creation, and oral history.
An Engaged Community
Our students are actively interpreting the past in central Florida. This rich and vibrant community provides for a wide range of historical projects. Students are learning cultural heritage management by creating events, implementing projects, and conducting research in partnership with community members.
Holistic Curriculum
UCF’s public history students learn essential historical foundations while gaining practical experience in the field. All students take a course in historiography and learn historical methods. Simultaneously, they take public history courses in which they learn and apply theory to practice outside of the classroom and in the digital realm. By integrating public history theory with practical skills, the program trains students for public history careers of the future.
Want to know more?
Email the Director of Public History, Dr. Scot French.