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Old historical texts.

Public History

Undergraduate Badge

Allendale • Face to face • 9 Credits

Public history is the practice of applying historical methods and research to real-world settings, engaging with communities, and making history accessible to the public.

Overview

Grand Valley's Public History badge allows students to explore how history and historical methods are applied in real-world settings. This face-to-face program is designed for degree-seeking students, offering hands-on experience through place-based and community-engaged projects.

The coursework covers:

  • Local and community history.
  • Museum studies.
  • Public history introduction. 

This badge offers opportunities to work on real-world projects, collaborate with community partners, and make connections across multiple classes. The badge enhances one's resume with recognized credentials, providing a competitive edge in public history professions and graduate school programs.

A digital badge, or badge, is a record of achievement that recognizes a student's completion of a coherent and meaningful academic experience. GVSU offers both credit and non-credit bearing badges as digital credentials. Credit-bearing badges include anywhere from 0.5 to 15 academic credits and may include additional noncredit criteria. Credit-bearing badges are also posted to the academic transcript.

Admission Information

Admissions to complete a digital badge is open to both degree and nondegree seeking students. If you are not currently a Grand Valley student, start your application here.  

For current GVSU students:

  • Declare your badge via myBanner. Login to Banner Self-Service, click on Student, Student Records, Add a Certificate or Badge to your Program, Select the appropriate badge from the drop down list, and click Submit.
  • Speak with the appropriate badge coordinator to ensure criteria are being met. You will be able to track your progress toward the badge in myPath as well!
  • Once you are done with the requirements, apply to receive the badge via myBanner.
  • Once the completion of your badge has been verified, the badge will be posted to your student record and will be viewable on your transcript. In addition, your digital badge will be posted on Credly.com.

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Department of History

Abigail R. Gautreau, Assistant Professor of History
D-1-236 Mackinac Hall
[email protected]
(616) 331-3414

Admissions and Recruitment Office

gvsu.edu/admissions

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Scholarships

Grand Valley State University offers a wide variety of merit-based scholarships. For information on all of the scholarships that are available to students, please visit Scholarships at GVSU.

Grand Valley offers myScholarships (a scholarship matching tool) to help admitted students match with GVSU scholarships, as well as external scholarship opportunities. myScholarships will prompt you to answer questions to help match you to scholarships for which you might qualify.

Direct Work With Regional Archives, Museums, and Collections

Learners conduct research in major West Michigan institutions, including:
  • GVSU Special Collections
  • Grand Rapids Public Library
  • Grand Rapids City Archives
  • Grand Rapids Public Museum
  • Kutsche Office of Local History
This level of embedded archival access is a defining feature of the badge.

Student Organizations

Getting involved and staying engaged with our vibrant campus community help you make the most of your Grand Valley experience. Attending student life events, joining a student organization, or participating in campus recreation opportunities are all fantastic ways to maximize your college years:

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Page last modified May 26, 2026