The Department of Culture and Natural Resources was established within the Department of Social Science Education in the 95th academic year. The department's historical development is as follows:
| 1987 | Establishment of the Department of Social Science Education at Taiwan Province Tainan Teachers College. |
| 1991 | Renamed as the Department of Social Science Education at National Tainan Teachers College. |
| 1996 | Establishment of the Graduate Institute of Rural Culture. |
| 2000 | Establishment of the Master's Program in Social Science Education (Daytime program). |
| 2001 | Establishment of the Master's Program in Social Science for Elementary School In-Service Teachers (Evening program). |
| 2003 | The Graduate Institute of Rural Culture was renamed the Graduate Institute of Taiwan Culture. |
| 2006 |
The Department of Social Science Education was restructured, leading to the establishment of the Department of Culture and Natural Resources and the Department of Public Administration and Management. Additionally, the Master's Program in Culture and Natural Resources Management (Daytime program) was introduced. |
| 2008 | Establishment of the Master's Program in Culture and Natural Resources (Daytime program). |
| 2017 |
The Master's Program in Culture and Natural Resources was renamed the Master's Program in Cultural Tourism Resources. |