Faithful reader Chris M writes: "Perhaps I have missed it, but is there a section on the Archaeology website regarding online graduate courses? There was an interesting forum on distance learning at the SAA conference in San Juan, but it left much to be addressed. With the cost of living such as it is these days, I'm certainly not alone in considering the online option so that I may continue to work and eat."
Yes, there is a section, although I'm afraid there's not much in it. As far as I am aware, the only fully accredited graduate program in archaeology available predominantly online is from the University of Leicester; they offer single courses, diplomas, an MA in Heritage Management, a research PhD and post graduate certificates. In 2001 when I talked to Alan McWhirr at Leicester about their new program, the University of Exeter in the UK, and universities of Waterloo and Victoria in Canada all had distance learning programs in archaeology at the bachelor's or master's levels, but none of these programs are still operating. Several universities still use individual online classes as either part of a school-based curriculum or as continuing education programs. Also, there are some pretty good classes, I understand, that are taught by specialists currently unaffiliated with universities; these are not for university credit of course.
I did discover that the Australian National University where online pioneer Matthew Spriggs is teaching has a Master's degree in Sustainable Heritage Development and Management which can be at least partially taken on line. That's interesting, because the most recent growth in archaeology jobs is in the heritage management field (roughly equivalent to 'cultural resource management' in the US). I'll keep looking and talk to some people and see what I can find out.
Yes, there is a section, although I'm afraid there's not much in it. As far as I am aware, the only fully accredited graduate program in archaeology available predominantly online is from the University of Leicester; they offer single courses, diplomas, an MA in Heritage Management, a research PhD and post graduate certificates. In 2001 when I talked to Alan McWhirr at Leicester about their new program, the University of Exeter in the UK, and universities of Waterloo and Victoria in Canada all had distance learning programs in archaeology at the bachelor's or master's levels, but none of these programs are still operating. Several universities still use individual online classes as either part of a school-based curriculum or as continuing education programs. Also, there are some pretty good classes, I understand, that are taught by specialists currently unaffiliated with universities; these are not for university credit of course.
I did discover that the Australian National University where online pioneer Matthew Spriggs is teaching has a Master's degree in Sustainable Heritage Development and Management which can be at least partially taken on line. That's interesting, because the most recent growth in archaeology jobs is in the heritage management field (roughly equivalent to 'cultural resource management' in the US). I'll keep looking and talk to some people and see what I can find out.
- Distance Learning Opportunities in Archaeology
- Interview with Mark Garrison, who in 1999 had one of the first field schools to incorporate an online component (I think the first was Matthew Spriggs)
- A PhD by Email, a description of the University of Leicester's Distance Learning Program and comments by Alan McWhirr
- University of Leicester's DL Courses, their home page
Comments
It is amazing to me how online education has moved int niche areas. You can get an online degree in any field you chose. I think it is great!
Mike
It is amazing to me how online education has moved into niche areas. You can get an online degree in any field you chose. I think it is great!
Mike