100%
Online Option
$270
Tuition Cost per Credit
2 years
Average Completion*
Bring History to Life. Preserve the Past.
Shape the Future.
History isn’t just something found in textbooks. It lives in museums, historic sites, archives, communities, public spaces, and the stories we tell about the past.
The Bachelor of Science in Social Science – Public History Option at Athens State University prepares you to explore, interpret, preserve, and share history with the public.
Combining the interdisciplinary study of social science with an emphasis on public history, this program is designed for students who want to connect historical knowledge with real-world experiences. Whether you’re interested in museums, archives, historic preservation, public programs, or community history, you’ll develop the skills to make history meaningful and accessible to diverse audiences.
Program Overview
The Public History Option provides an interdisciplinary approach to the study and practice of history, with an emphasis on how historical knowledge is researched, preserved, interpreted, and communicated outside the traditional classroom.
You’ll develop an understanding of historical events, people, cultures, and institutions while exploring the ways history is presented to the public. The program can introduce you to the work of museums, archives, historic sites, preservation organizations, cultural institutions, and other organizations responsible for protecting and interpreting our shared heritage.
This approach allows you to study history while also developing practical skills for communicating historical information to different audiences. You’ll learn to think about not only what happened in the past, but also how historical stories are researched, documented, interpreted, and shared with the communities they serve.
What You’ll Learn
As a Public History student at Athens State, you’ll explore history through a broad social science perspective while developing an understanding of the methods used to preserve and interpret the past. You’ll examine historical events and developments in their social, cultural, political, and economic contexts and consider how those forces continue to influence communities today.
You’ll learn how historians gather and evaluate evidence, conduct research, interpret primary and secondary sources, and construct historical narratives. At the same time, you’ll explore how historical knowledge can be communicated through museums, exhibits, archives, historic sites, public programs, digital resources, and other forms of public engagement.
Throughout the program, you’ll strengthen your ability to research, analyze information, write and communicate effectively, and consider historical questions from multiple perspectives. These skills can help you translate complex historical information into meaningful experiences for a variety of audiences.
Your Career Advantage Starts Here
Public History can open the door to careers where historical knowledge and public engagement intersect. Graduates may pursue opportunities with museums, historical societies, archives, historic sites, cultural organizations, government agencies, libraries, nonprofits, and organizations involved in historic preservation and community development.
Potential career areas can include museum and collections work, archival services, historic preservation, public programming, historical interpretation, cultural resource management, research, and communications.
The program can also provide a strong foundation for graduate study in history, public history, museum studies, library and information science, archival studies, public administration, education, or related fields. Some professional positions in museums, archives, and other cultural institutions may require additional education or specialized training.
Beyond career-specific knowledge, you’ll graduate with transferable skills in research, writing, critical thinking, information analysis, communication, and project development. These skills can be valuable across a broad range of professional settings.
Explore your career pathways with the Social Science-Public History degree, including anticipated salaries, annual job growth, and even active job listings through the Career Concourse portal.
$58k
Social Science Researcher Estimated Entry Salary
$61k
Social Science Researcher Estimated Median Salary
Estimated salary and employment information based on labor market data provided by Career Concourse and is intended for informational purposes only. Actual salaries and employment outcomes vary based on factors such as experience, location, industry, and employer and are not guaranteed upon degree completion.
Admissions & Aid
Ready to take the next step toward your degree? Athens State University offers a transfer-friendly admissions process designed to help you make the most of the college credits you’ve already earned.
Whether you’re transferring from another university or community college or returning to college after time away, our admissions and financial aid teams can help you understand your options and navigate the process of becoming an Athens State student.
From scholarships and grants to other forms of financial assistance, Athens State provides resources to help make completing your bachelor’s degree more attainable.
Explore Admissions & Aid to learn more about requirements, application steps, transfer credit, scholarships, and financial assistance.
Why Choose this Program at Athens State?
Life doesn’t stop while you’re earning your degree. That’s why the Social Science degree is offered through a variety of flexible course formats, allowing you to complete coursework when it fits your schedule without sacrificing academic quality.
Built for Today’s Professionals
You shouldn’t have to choose between advancing your education and advancing your career. Athens State’s degree programs are designed with working professionals in mind. Flexible learning options allow you to pursue your degree while continuing to meet your professional and personal commitments.
Invest in Your Future The Smart Way
Athens State University is committed to providing an affordable, high-quality education. As Alabama’s most affordable public, state university, we give you the opportunity to earn an advanced degree while making a smart investment in your future, without unnecessary debt. Plus, our learning partnerships make a degree from Athens Sate even more accessible.
Learn from Experienced Faculty
Our faculty combine academic excellence with real-world experience, bringing current industry practices into every course. At Athens State, you’re not facing the journey alone—our dedicated, knowledgeable faculty and staff walk alongside you each step of the way, providing personalized guidance and support.
Additional Information
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*Average completion time varies by student and depends on prior credits
transferred to Athens State and the number of courses taken per semester.
Please consult with your Student Success Coach and faculty advisor for your personalized plan of study.