Historical Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management, Certificate

Program Overview

The Historical Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management Certificate program at the University of South Carolina equips students with skills in archaeology, public history, and cultural resource management. Through hands-on fieldwork and coursework, students gain expertise in interpreting and analyzing artifacts, and develop a strong foundation in preservation-related legislation and policies. Graduates are prepared for careers in museums, historical site interpretation, and state and federal park management, emphasizing professional skills in critical thinking, cultural awareness, and scientific writing.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This program is a certificate in Historical Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management offered by the University of South Carolina's College of Arts and Sciences. It is designed for public history graduate students or students from other majors with an interest in cultural resource management, preservation work, and museum employment. The program aims to equip students with archaeology-based cultural resource management skills, making them more competitive in the preservation-related careers job market. The program focuses on public and historical archaeology and allows students to choose from various elective courses to align with their specific interests and career goals.

Program Highlights:

• Experiential Learning: The program emphasizes hands-on learning through fieldwork and lab experiences.
• Marketable Skills: Students receive training in interpreting, identifying, and analyzing artifacts within cultural landscapes.
• Flexible Requirements: Students can count courses from other departments outside of the anthropology department to fulfill the required hours.
• Strong Foundation: The program provides a comprehensive understanding of legislation, curation, and other relevant policies and practices.

What You’ll Study:

The program covers the methods and theory of historical archaeology and cultural resource management, along with their practical applications. It is ideal for supplementing coursework in other historically oriented programs. The program emphasizes professional practice and provides archaeologically based cultural resource management skills for preservation-related employment.

Careers:

The program prepares students for various career paths in the field of cultural resource management and preservation. Potential career options include:

• Museum Staff
• Cultural Resource Manager
• Historical Site Interpreter
• State Park Staff
• Federal Park Staff

Workplace Settings:

Graduates of this program can find employment in various settings, including:

• Museums
• State and National Parks
• Historical Preservation Organizations
• Cultural Preservation Organizations

Other:

The program emphasizes the development of professional and personal skills, including:

• Critical Thinking
• Cultural Awareness
• Intercultural Competence
• Research
• Scientific Writing
• Understanding Complexity