Master of Arts (MA) in Applied Archaeology in the Pacific and Asia
Designed to train the next generation of professional, non-academic archaeologists and others who seek to be effective advocates for the study and preservation of historic sites in Hawaiʻi, Oceania, and Asia. Our program is unique in its geographic and cultural focus.
Archaeological employment opportunities are increasing in Hawaiʻi. Many private firms and governmental agencies employ MA-level archaeologists to conduct cultural resource management (CRM) investigations, manage historic preservation projects and archaeological collections, and/or engage in community outreach and public education. Professional archaeology now surpasses the demand for academic archaeologists.
Program Details
A minimum of 32 credit hours of coursework is required for the MA in Anthropology track in Applied Archaeology. The average course is 3 credits. MA students must be enrolled at the University of Hawaiʻi full-time (8 credit minimum) for at least 2 semesters while completing the degree or the equivalent in credits (see Graduate Division residency program requirement). Graduate students must maintain at least a B (3.00) average. All courses taken for degree credit must be taken for a letter grade (A-F). It is an Anthropology program requirement that Credit/No Credit courses do not count toward degree credit.
Graduate Division requires that all Plan B students, including those enrolled in the MA in Anthropology track in Applied Archaeology, are required to complete a minimum of 18 credits of 600-level or higher coursework. The 600- and 700-level courses on the following lists count toward this requirement.
1) Required
Students must take all of the following (20 credits total):
- ANTH 380: Archaeological Lab Techniques
- ANTH 471: Field Mapping (Cross-listed with GEOG 472)
- ANTH 603: Archaeology
- ANTH 645: Historic Preservation (Cross-listed with AMST 645 and ARCH 645) *
- ANTH 666: Archaeological Data Analysis
- ANTH 711: Seminar in Research Design and Proposal Writing
2) Area Course
Students must take 1 of the following (3 credits total):
- ANTH 462: East Asian Archaeology
- ANTH 623: Advanced Pacific Islands Archaeology
- ANTH 661: Southeast Asian Archaeology
- ANTH 664: Hawaiian Archaeology
3) Methods Courses
Students must take 2 of the following courses (6 credits total):
- ANTH 384: Skeletal Biology & ANTH 384L (1-credit hour lab)
- ANTH 458: Forensic Anthropology
- ANTH 473: Lithic Artifact Assemblage Analysis
- ANTH 475: Faunal Analysis in Archaeology
- ANTH 477: Spatial Analysis in Archaeology
- ANTH 668: Archaeology Field Methods (Variable 1-6 credits)
- ANTH 670: Applied Archaeology Practicum (Variable 3-6 credits)
- GEOG 388: Introduction to GIS
4) Elective Course
With approval of their advisor, students should select one additional 3-credit graduate course in anthropology (which may be ANTH 699: Directed Readings or Research) or in a closely related field that best meets the professional development needs of the student.
* AMST 676 (Recording Historic Resources) or AMST 677 (Community Preservation) may be taken in lieu of ANTH 645. Students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation program concurrently with the MA in Applied Archaeology Track may count ANTH 645 (or one of either AMST 676 or AMST 677) toward both programs’ requirements.
Notes
Course credits from a student’s undergraduate degree cannot be counted toward completion of the MA degree.
If a student has not completed an introductory undergraduate course in archaeology, they should remedy this deficiency in their first semester in the Applied Archaeology program by taking ANTH 210.
Students should have an initial meeting with their interim advisor to discuss their study plans. This should be done soon after they arrive at the Department, generally before the start of their first semester.
The Candidacy Conference should be scheduled by the end of the student’s second semester (March-April). The Candidacy Conference is the first meeting of the student’s three-member MA committee, comprised of a chair and two other members; at least one must be full-time Anthropology faculty.
Students should bring the following materials to the meeting:
- Updated Annual Progress Report (obtained from Graduate Specialist in Saunders 346C)
- Typed Proposed Program of Study, including a list of courses the student plans to take, a proposed schedule for completion of the MA degree, and a list of committee members (with contact information)
Students should have their committee chair sign and date a copy of the proposed program of study, after which students should give this to the Graduate Specialist in room 346C to be entered into their academic file.
The Post-Candidacy Conference form (from the Department of Anthropology) must be filled out by all students (MA and PhD) and signed by committee members after the student has held the first candidacy conference (usually after the first year of residency).
A student must complete a report on original research; reports should not exceed 30,000 words. The penultimate draft of a report should be submitted to all committee members no later than two weeks prior to the final meeting.
When students have completed all required coursework and submitted their report or papers, they should schedule their final committee meeting. Students should bring to the meeting the departmental form offered below. At the end of the meeting, students should have this form signed by their committee members and submit it to the Graduate Specialist.
Core Faculty
Affiliate Faculty
- Stephens Athens, PhD, International Archaeology Research Institute, Inc
- Thomas S. Dye, PhD, UH Mānoa
Having attained an MA degree in Anthropology with a focus on Applied Archaeology, the student will be able to:
- Design and organize archaeological research that is technically sound.
- Identify, document, and analyze archaeological resources and related historic properties.
- Evaluate the significance of archaeological materials with respect to state and federal laws and regulations.
- Establish and maintain constructive relationships with heritage communities and stakeholders.
- Assist community organizations with the stewardship of archaeology.
- Practice archaeology in a fashion that is professionally ethical and culturally.
For students interested in careers outside academia. Applied (engaged, practicing, or public) anthropologists employ the theories and methods of anthropology in governmental, non-governmental, community, and commercial settings to help resolve contemporary societal problems.
The curriculum requirements are effective for students who enter the program in Fall 2024.
Next Steps
Interested in the MA in Applied Archaeology in the Pacific and Asia and want to learn more? Contact Program Coordinator James Bayman.
Ready to apply? Visit Applications and Admissions.