17:1

Student-to-faculty ratio

R1 Ranked

NDSU is a nationally top-ranked research university

94%

Recent graduates employed or continuing education

#1

North Dakota University with the Best Student Life

NDSU’s innovative public history degree is your gateway to a dynamic career in the discipline. This program goes beyond traditional history studies, offering hands-on training in archival work, museum studies, collections management, historic preservation and more. With opportunities to create exhibits, manage collections and complete real-world public history projects, you’ll graduate ready to enter diverse roles at historical societies, national parks, museums and beyond. Whether you’re aiming for employment or graduate school, NDSU’s public history degree provides the perfect blend of structure, flexibility and applied learning to help you transform your passion for history into a meaningful career.

Explore the Curriculum

Post-Graduation Career Snapshot

Explore career possibilities within the first five years after graduation with a list of high-demand occupations. Discover how you can advance into more specialized or leadership roles through examples of potential career pathways.

High Demand Occupations

  • Archivist
  • Architectural Historian
  • Museum Technician
  • Cultural Resource Specialist
  • Preservation Specialist

National Median Salary

$60,000
The median salary is based on national job listings for the above occupations that require five years experience or less.

Future Career Pathways

As you gain experience, you can advance into more specialized or leadership roles. Here are pathway occupations you might explore:
  • Records Manager
  • Grant Reviewers
  • Oral Historian
Data sourced from Lightcast, a leading provider of labor market analytics and workforce data. 2025.

Capture the Moment at NDSU

Shape Your Future

NDSU students are encouraged to collaborate with an advisor and develop a unique program of study that meets their specific interests.

Comprehensive Curriculum

Designed to provide a solid foundation in historical content and methodology, the 51-credit program immerses you in courses like museum collections management, digital history and public memory — all enhanced by the resources of the North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies at the NDSU Archives.

Real-World Experience

Gain real-world experience through a nine-credit hour internship at a historical agency, often at local museums, such as Bonanzaville in West Fargo, or the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, Minnesota. The internship is an opportunity for practical, on-the-job experience in the field.

Professional Development and Leadership

Broaden your horizons and expand your experience outside of the classroom through student organizations, including the local chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the History Honors Society where you’ll have the opportunity to present research at the Society's regional and national conferences. Participation in extracurricular activities help build strong connections with peers and allow you to develop leadership skills.

Limitless Career Opportunities

Upon completion of the program you’ll find a variety of rewarding careers as archivists, museum curators, historic preservationists and more.

Tuition & Costs

NDSU offers a high-quality, academically rigorous education at an affordable cost. To support you in covering tuition and expenses, we provide a wide range of need-based and merit-based scholarships and financial aid options.

Admission Info

At NDSU, we welcome students from all backgrounds who are seeking a dynamic learning environment within a supportive, welcoming community.

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Now is your moment to expand your horizons for a brighter future at NDSU.

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