Master of Arts in Anthropology: Public Archaeology (MAPA)/Cultural Resource Management
The Master of Arts in Anthropology with a concentration in Public Archaeology (MAPA)/Cultural Resource Management is a 20-month program of coursework and practical training designed to prepare students for a range of professional positions in applied archaeology. The Anthropology Department offers the degree in conjunction with the Public Archaeology Facility (PAF), a research center on the Binghamton University campus, specializing in cultural resource management (CRM). The program focuses on compliance archaeology and the intersection between archaeology and the many organizations that have a stake in the management, protection, study and conservation of the archaeological record.
Students who enter the program usually have a bachelor's degree in anthropology, although related fields, such as geology, biology, history and geography are also welcome. An archaeological field school of at least five weeks or equivalent field experience is also required.
After you graduate
Graduates can expect to find careers in private cultural resource management, environmental, engineering, energy, and architectural firms, and governmental sectors, such as federal, state, tribal and local agencies. In addition to compliance archaeology, MAPA students can also prepare themselves for careers in 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.
MAPA research, fieldwork and workshops
Students in MAPA benefit from our diverse and accomplished faculty who conduct research throughout much of the United States and internationally, including Mexico, France, Pacific, Easter Island, and Peru. Hands-on training will be provided at the numerous cutting-edge laboratories available on campus as well as through internships in world-renowned museums, local historical societies, and private firms. Students have opportunities to master fundamental archaeological techniques as well as specialized training in archaeometry, remote sensing, geophysics, artifact analysis, and geoarchaeology. Finally, graduates of MAPA are trained to fully understand the practical and legal aspects of archaeology as we engage with preservation law, heritage issues, and the business of archaeology. The culminating experience of the MA Program in Public Archaeology is a thesis project, which, if applicable, will fulfill the requirements to become a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA).
MAPA Professional Recognition
MAPA is one of a limited number of academic programs to receive recognition by the American Cultural Resources Association (ACRA). ACRA recognizes quality academic programs that prepare students for a professional career in Cultural Resource Management (CRM) and related fields. Recognized programs are evaluated by ACRA professionals on how well they address topics, such as ethics and business finance, that ACRA deems essential to successful CRM careers. Currently, ACRA lists 11 academic programs and Binghamton University’s MAPA program is proud to be among these.
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