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
- Major On Campus
Post-Graduation Career Snapshot
High Demand Occupations
- Archivist
- Architectural Historian
- Museum Technician
- Cultural Resource Specialist
- Preservation Specialist
National Median Salary
Future Career Pathways
- Records Manager
- Grant Reviewers
- Oral Historian
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Designed to provide a solid foundation in historical content and methodology, the 51-credit program immerses you in courses like museum collections management, digital history and public memory — all enhanced by the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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