Public History students at the University of South Carolina are able to draw on the curricular breadth of a major research university. Within the Department of History are courses on the theory and practice of historic preservation, historic site interpretation, the history of housing, material culture, archival administration, book and paper conservation, and documentary editing, as well as seminars in American, African-American, and southern history. Outside the history department students may take courses in urban planning and preservation, architectural history, African-American folklife, historical archaeology, museum management and administration, and courses in the library school. Some students choose to complete the Certificate in Museum Management offered through the university's McKissick Museum . The core curriculum for the Certificate provides training in professional museum standards and practice, and periodic special offerings introduce students to topics such as museum education and exhibition development.
Many students also take advantage of our innovative summer courses.
The Charleston Preservation Field School is an intensive course in historic preservation and museum studies that is based in city of Charleston. An international perspective on museums, archives, and heritage conservation is offered by our Comparative Public History course in England . Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This course offers students the opportunity to study the material life of the southeastern United States prior to 1820. Course of Study for the Master of Arts Degree.