History and the Future: Brookdale Launches a Public History Certificate

History and the Future: Brookdale Launches a Public History Certificate

Studying history can help you understand the past, succeed in the present, and prepare for the future. A history degree builds valuable skills that can lead to many different careers while helping students become informed and engaged citizens. Although many people associate history with teaching, there are many other career opportunities available. To introduce students to those possibilities, Brookdale Community College’s History Department is launching a new Academic Certificate in Public History this fall.

What is Public History?

Public history, sometimes called applied history, is the practice of bringing history to the public through museums, historic sites, archives, historical societies, and other community-based institutions. The National Council on Public History describes it as history applied to real-world issues

Students enrolled in Brookdale’s Public History Certificate program will learn about the field while gaining hands-on experience through experiential learning, professional networking opportunities, and an internship with a local museum, historic site, or history center in Monmouth County.

According to Careers for History Majors by Michael Edmondson, careers in public history may include planning educational programs, curating exhibits, managing archival collections, interpreting historical sites, and working with government agencies to preserve and share our cultural heritage.

Why Study Public History at Brookdale?

Brookdale is located in one of the most historically significant counties in New Jersey. Monmouth County was home to key events of the American Revolution. It is also where the historic antenna that helped confirm the Big Bang theory is located in Holmdel. From the Brookdale Slavery Project to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, students have access to important historic sites that span nearly every era of American history, making Brookdale an ideal place to study and practice public history.

Career opportunities in the field continue to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for archivists, curators, and museum workers is expected to grow 6 percent between 2024 and 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. Museums, historic sites, and similar institutions are also among the leading employers of historians, with a mean hourly wage of $26.06 as of May 2023. New Jersey ranks among the top five states for historian employment, with an annual mean salary of 79,670. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023)

While many public history careers ultimately require a bachelor’s or graduate degree, Brookdale’s Academic Certificate in Public History gives students an excellent head start. The program provides practical experience, prepares students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities, and helps them explore entry-level career opportunities in the field.

Best of all, it’s a chance to experience history beyond the classroom. Students will work with local organizations, explore historic sites, and gain real-world experience while making history at Brookdale in the process!

Students interested in learning more about the Academic Certificate in Public History should meet with a Success Coach in order to register. https://www.brookdalecc.edu/admissions/registration/how-to-register/  or contact Ashley Zampogna-Krug at azampognakrug@brookdalecc.edu.