Public History Graduate Certificate
Earn a Public History Graduate Certificate from East Texas A&M University and explore the powerful skills to shape how history is experienced in museums, national parks, archives and beyond. Equip yourself to engage, educate and inspire the public with history that is both compelling and accessible.
- Offered Face-to-Face in Commerce.
- 1 to 2 years
- 12 credit hours
- No thesis required
- No foreign language credits required
Bringing History to Life
At East Texas A&M University, our Public History Graduate Certificate allows you to actively engage with history beyond the academic classroom. Whether working in museums, historical sites, parks or public libraries, public historians are essential in preserving, interpreting and curating history for the public. Ready to bring history to life? This program combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience, including a hands-on internship, to prepare you for a variety of careers and help you make history accessible to all.
Spring 2026 Graduate Flex Term.
What Are My Job Opportunities?
Our graduate certificate helps to bring history to life for the public.
Careers Possibilities
Current Median Salaries from US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023
Program Details
Our program provides focused training in historical research, preservation and interpretation, combining coursework with practical, hands-on experience.
What Might I Learn?
You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of key areas.
Historical Research Techniques
Develop advanced methods for conducting in-depth research and analyzing historical sources.
Public History Outreach
Master strategies for engaging communities with history through virtual exhibits, social media and digital storytelling.
Archival and Oral History Practices
Gain expertise in organizing, preserving and interpreting archival materials, including collecting oral histories.
Exhibit and Museum Design
Learn how to create interactive, technology-enhanced exhibits that effectively engage and educate the public.
Taking Classes
Main Campus (Commerce)
Courses are offered in-person exclusively at the main campus, providing an immersive learning experience. The program consists of 12 credit hours and is designed to advance your professional skills.
Please refer to the schedule of classes for up-to-date details on course locations and times, as they may change.
Course Offerings
| Required 2 courses (6 semester hours) |
| Choose two courses (6 semester hours) from the following: |
Adding Value with Certificates
Our program allows you to enhance your education by earning additional certificates, further strengthening your professional qualifications.
Studies in Children’s and Adolescent Literature Culture Graduate Certificate
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Graduate Certificate
This certificate is ideal for students who either already hold a completed graduate degree or are actively in the process of earning a graduate degree and wish to earn this certificate in conjunction with their degree. In addition to the enhanced professional status that the Certificate in the Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) brings, this Certificate will enable the holder to meet the 18-hour SACS requirement to teach at the College level.
Teaching History Graduate Certificate
You can become a certified early college or dual credit instructor with our Teaching History graduate certificate. Local school districts continue to expand their offerings of early college and dual credit history courses. There is a growing need for qualified teachers who can meet this need.
Finding My Community
We believe that education thrives in an environment where collaboration, support and mutual respect flourish. Our community of students and professors embodies these values, creating an enriching and dynamic atmosphere for learning and growth. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the table. Our professors are not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated mentors who are committed to guiding and nurturing the next generation of scholars.
Mylynka Kilgore Cardona
Faculty
John Howard Smith, Ph.D.
Faculty
Student Organizations
Our student organizations at East Texas A&M University, including the Public History Association and History Club, can offer valuable networking and professional development opportunities for Public History Graduate Certificate students. These groups aim to foster collaboration, provide hands-on experiences and connect students with faculty and industry professionals, enhancing both academic growth and career prospects.
I’m Looking For Something Different
Is this program close, but still not right for you? Check out our related degrees!
Financing My Future
Financial Aid
Financial aid includes a variety of programs, like scholarships, federal and state grants, and federal and state work-study programs. Find out how you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and/or a graduate assistantship. Financial Aid and Scholarships
Back to menuOn-Campus Employment Opportunities
Enhance your expertise through on-campus employment opportunities.
Graduate Assistant/Research/Teaching
Graduate assistant teaching (GAT), graduate assistant research (GAR), and graduate assistant non-teaching (GANT) assistantships at East Texas A&M offer financial support and professional development for graduate students. Assistantships are available in academic and non-academic departments.
Back to menuCost Before Financial Aid
East Texas A&M is one of the most affordable colleges around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Our tuition rates are some of the most competitive in Texas.
$3,669
for Texas residents
/
$7,341
For non-residents
Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents. But don’t worry: there are
Back to menuAdditional Fees May Apply
- Online Courses ($50 per hour)
- Remote Locations ($20 per hour)
- Lab Fees ($5 – $30 per course)
How Do I Get Started?
If you have not already done so, complete the Request Information form. You will be connected with your enrollment specialist, who can answer your questions. When you’re ready, go ahead and follow the steps below to apply.
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission, you must first meet the following criteria.
- GPA minimum 2.5
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Admission Process
Once admitted, you must:
Submit a Completion of Certificate Request while taking your final graduate certificate courses.
Earn a 3.0 GPA on all required coursework (No course substitutions may be applied on graduate certificates)
- Create an account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Select “Public History, Graduate Certificate” as your “Program.”
- Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- Within two business days of your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Provisional Status
After you submit your application, you may be granted provisional status, which means you can enroll in one semester of courses. You will not be eligible for financial aid until you submit all of your documents and are accepted into the program.
Submit the following document to your graduate coordinator after you receive an application confirmation email.
Your Graduate Coordinator
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your graduate coordinator.
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accepts evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
Note: This graduate certificate does not qualify for Financial Aid.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Note: International students interested in graduate certificates must do so in conjunction with a graduate degree.
- Create an account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Select “Public History, Graduate Certificate” as your “Program.”
- Pay the $75 application fee
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following document to your graduate coordinator after you receive an application confirmation email.
Your Graduate Coordinator
- Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce, Texas 75428
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
Note: This graduate certificate does not qualify for Financial Aid.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
I Still Have Questions
We are here to help! Send us an email. We can answer your questions and assist you in the application process.
Contact the Department
- Department of History
- 903.886.5226
- 903.468.3230
- [email protected]