"The Public History program at Wright State prepared me well for my first job. It’s not that I started out knowing everything, but WSU gave me the tools with which to learn and grow professionally. I have a challenging job that I love, and I thank Wright State for that."
Tanya Zanish-Belcher
Professor and Head of Special Collections and University Archives
Iowa State University
Launched in 1974, the Public History Program at Wright State is one of the oldest in the country. The requirements for a Master's Degree in History with a concentration in Public History consist of six academic core courses, a series of courses and practica in public history, a project, and an internship in an area of specialization such as archives, museums studies, or historical administration. The faculty in history together with professional staff at nearby historical institutions offer courses in records management, archival theory and practice, museum studies, exhibits, material culture, architectural history, state and local history, history and new technology, oral history.
Students may select electives from other excellent programs at Wright State University; these include management, marketing, urban affairs and geography, archaeology, teacher education, educational technology, art and art history, english, women's studies, African and African American studies, theatre arts and motion pictures.
"Wright State pointed me in the right direction and my Public History degree is a cornerstone to my career. I wouldn’t be where I am without it."
Student interns work alongside professionals in a wide variety of settings including the Smithsonian Institution, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton History, and the Ohio Historical Society. The two-year program prepares graduates for careers in state and local historical societies, archives and records management, history museums, business history, historic preservation, state and federal park services, and public programs in history education.
Wright State University is named for the Wright brothers, inventors of powered flight. Special Collections and Archives in the Paul Laurence Dunbar Library houses one of the most complete collections of Wright brothers material in the world. In Southwest Ohio, students have access to rich historical and educational resources including the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, the National Aviation Hall of Fame, the National Afro American Museum and Cultural Center, the Paul Laurence Dunbar Historic Site, Dayton History, the Cincinnati Museum Center, and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Dayton hosts other cultural institutions including the Dayton Art Institute, the Human Race Theater Company, the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, CityFolk, the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Rhythm and Shoes Dance Company, The Schuster Performing Arts Center, and the beautifully restored Victoria Theater.
The Department of History offers a number of graduate assistantships and tuition fellowships to qualified applicants.
For more information, contact Dawne E. Dewey, Director of Public History, Public History Program, P.L. Dunbar Library 401E, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH 45435-0001; tel. (937)775-2011; e-mail: dawne.dewey@wright.edu
