The Master’s Degree in Public Archaeology is a 2 year program of coursework and practical application designed to prepare students for a range of professional positions. The degree is offered through the Anthropology Department and in conjunction with the Public Archaeology Facility (PAF). Our focus is on the intersection between archaeology and its many publics. As such, graduates can expect to f
ind employment in both the private and governmental sectors, including federal, state, tribal, and local agencies, engineering firms, environmental firms, architectural design companies, and energy companies. Education- and museum-based archaeologists work for schools, agencies that define policies for educational initiatives, heritage organizations that work directly with descendant communities, institutions that award and administer grants, and museums that are both privately and publicly funded. Students will benefit from our diverse and esteemed faculty who conduct research throughout much of the United States and internationally, including Mexico, France, Easter Island, and Peru, Hands-on training will be provided within the numerous archaeological laboratories on campus as well as through internships in world-renowned museums, local historical societies, and private firms. Students will be offered opportunities to learn both fundamental archaeological techniques and specialized training, often using cutting-edge technologies. Finally, graduates of the MA program will be well-versed in the practical and legal aspects of archaeology as we engage with preservation law, heritage issues, and the business of archaeology. The capstone of the program is a thesis project, which, if applicable, will fulfill the requirements to become a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA)
