Master of Arts in Public Archaeology

California State University - Northridge

USA,California

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24 Months

Duration

CAD 16,542/year

Tuition Fee

CAD 70

Application Fee

Aug 2025

Apply Date

USA, California

Type: University

Location Type: Semi-Urban

Founded: 1972

Total Students: 38,310 +

Campus Detail

Main Campus Address

18111 Nordhoff St, Northridge, CA 91330, United States

Master of Arts in Public Archaeology

Program Overview

Ensure that future generations understand where they came from. Learn preservation techniques and research skills to make history come alive.

Why Earn a Master's in Public Archaeology?

Help connect current generations with the past. By earning a master's in public archaeology, you'll learn to manage cultural resources. You'll learn how to preserve historic buildings, artifacts and even folklore. You'll take classes in anthropology, archaeology and laboratory methods. You'll also complete an internship to gain practical experience in managing archaeological resources.

When you graduate, you can apply for Ph.D. programs focused on public archaeology and cultural heritage management. You'll also be able to work for museums, galleries or educational institutions. Your work will help preserve heritage sites and objects for future generations.

Why Study Public Archaeology at CSUN?

Experienced Faculty

Our faculty publish leading research and champion community engagement. They helm field projects in Mexico, Peru, Scotland, Botswana, Thailand and more. They provide expertise to local community organizations, museums and schools. You will be able to join faculty in their research projects to gain insight and experience.

Practicum Opportunity

As part of your degree, you will find an internship to work directly in cultural resource management.

What You'll Learn

With a master's degree in public archaeology, you will take a wide range of classes to prepare you for proper cultural resource management. You'll take seminars in anthropology, archaeology and laboratory methods.

In your required core seminars, you will learn:

  • Anthropological theory and methods
  • Current issues in archaeology
  • Management of archaeological resources
  • Research design
  • Proposal and grant writing

You will also take methods courses to gain hands-on experience in the laboratory and in the field:

  • Lab methods in archaeology
  • Advanced quantitative methods
  • Practicum (internship) in cultural resource management

You will choose between two topical courses to focus your archaeological studies:

  • Human osteology
  • California archaeology
  • Advanced North American archaeology
  • Advanced historical archaeology

You will also take two elective anthropology courses as electives.