From very humble beginnings, the Maritime Studies Program at East Carolina University has blossomed into one of the world's leading academic underwater archaeology programs. It is characterized by hands-on underwater training, primary document historical research, and other practical skills such as remote sensing and grant writing. These skills provide the type of training eagerly sought by employers. Since its inception in 1982 the Program has graduated 201 MA students in this field, with an overall graduation rate of 71%. Most of our graduates have gone on to get jobs in the field as Contract Archaeologists, Government Cultural Resource Managers, Museum Archaeologists, Curators, Museum Directors, National and State Park Staff, Conservators, and Teachers at all levels. Qualified students enjoy extensive university support in the form of Graduate Assistantships and Scholarships. These positions supply both teaching and research experience. Yet we don't just rely on the classroom, the Program in Maritime Studies takes pride in the fact that we take theory into the real world to practice it in the field. In the Program exciting careers are not an accident they are the result of planning, introspection, training, and last but not least, field experience. Program staff includes Professors with both National and International reputations in research excellence including 8 full time PhD Archaeologists and Historians backed by 3 technicians as well as a fully staffed Diving and Boating Safety Office boasting a well maintained fleet of research vessels. Our expertise includes cutting edge remote sensing, ROV, and archaeological survey techniques, skills that attract employers. Our professors have written over 30 academic press books concerning their various research interests plus innumerable articles and site reports concentrating primarily on North American underwater archaeology projects ranging geographically from Bermuda to the Middle of the Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea to Lake Superior.
