Overview
Public or applied archaeology, working in the public sector or for private consulting firms, is the fastest growing field of employment for archaeologists in the United States. At the University of South Carolina, this degree track is designed to meet that demand. It is structured as a professional degree program with a streamlined course of study and a focus on experiential learning and building practical knowledge.
What
- A 30-credit professional anthropology degree program completed in three semesters and one summer.
- Focused on the practice of archaeology and its application in private consulting, historic preservation and the public sector.
- Emphasizes practical knowledge through a focused curriculum with various applied tracks and a practice-based thesis.
The thesis is a hands-on research project focused on some aspect of archaeological inquiry. Faculty mentors help identify research opportunities offered by university faculty, private firms and other public entities. Thesis research is designed in the first and second semesters and reported in the final semester.
Who
- Practicing CRM professionals who want to further their careers.
- Students whose goal is to obtain a professional position in private consulting, historic preservation, government or museum settings.
- Employees and members of Native American Nations looking to expand their qualifications.
Where
The program is offered through the University of South Carolina Department of Anthropology in conjunction with the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology.
Associated Faculty
- Adam King
- Terrance Weik
- Kelly Goldberg
- Steven Smith
- Chelsea Fisher
Program of Study
Students are required to complete a minimum of 24 hours of course work and a master’s thesis (6 hours of ANTH 799) for a total of 30 hours. Of these, at least 12 hours must be courses at the 700 level, excluding ANTH 799. Students must successfully pass a comprehensive exam and complete a master’s thesis.
Specific requirements for the Professional MA Track in Archaeology are listed below:
1. Required Core Courses (12 hours)
- ANTH 720 – The Development of Anthropological Archaeology or ANTH 745 – Seminar in Historical Archaeology
- ANTH 750 – Archaeological Laboratory Analysis
- ANTH 751 – Archaeological Research Design and Analysis
- ANTH 742 – Public Archaeology
2. Concentration or Breadth Requirements (12 hours)
Students must choose at least 12 graduate credits in a discipline or disciplines that complement archaeological inquiry. Possibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Geoarchaeology
- Geophysical prospecting
- Geographic information systems
- Historic preservation
- Museum studies
- Materials science
3. Comprehensive Examination
Students must take and pass a comprehensive examination administered by the department.
4. Master’s Thesis
Students must complete a master’s thesis and six hours of thesis preparation: ANTH 799 – Thesis Preparation.
Admission
- BA degree from an approved college or university
- Personal statement
- Writing sample
- At least two letters of recommendation
- Demonstrated completion of a field school or six months of supervised fieldwork
Accepting applications for Fall 2025. Deadline: January 1, 2025.
Contact
Terrance Weik
Department of Anthropology
University of South Carolina
Weik@mailbox.sc.edu
(803) 777-6789
Adam King
South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology
University of South Carolina
aking@mailbox.sc.edu
(803) 409-9777
University Contact Information
University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina 29208
(803) 777-6500
Photo credit: Adam King