Master of Arts in Cultural Heritage Management

Gain a strong theoretical grounding in anthropology with practical skills and knowledge to excel in the field with the Master of Arts in Cultural Heritage Management in the College of Liberal Arts at Temple University. The curriculum for this 31-credit master’s program prioritizes

• a regionally focused study of the management of cultural resources taught by experts;
• hands-on object-based learning in the classroom and in the field, providing real-world experiential learning;
• exposure to regional experts in all major fields of heritage management as outside resources; and
• providing the skills, knowledge and abilities applicable to a wide range of employment opportunities in the cultural resource field. 

Why study cultural heritage management in the College of Liberal Arts? 

• Career outcomes: There is currently an increasing demand for skilled workers in heritage management, both regionally and nationally. This program is designed to provide essential training for professionals seeking to advance their careers in cultural heritage management across a variety of settings, including museums, historical societies, cultural resource management companies and related disciplines. 
• Tailored curriculum: You will gain expertise in the current theoretical, methodological and ethical debates in anthropology, as well as the coursework and experience, necessary for being a highly competitive candidate in the field. The program emphasizes collaboration with regional experts in all major fields of heritage management. 
• Hands-on, object-based learning experience: You will have opportunities to study and work in the Temple Anthropology Laboratory and Museum, where you will learn skills applicable to roles in the sector by utilizing them in a real heritage environment.  
• Philadelphia: You will study in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Philadelphia, with unparalleled access to a wide range of heritage sites both in the city and across the greater Mid-Atlantic region. 

Learning Outcomes

As a graduate of the Cultural Heritage Management MA, you will

• understand the complexities of local, state and federal laws and the management of cultural resources;
• develop awareness and understanding of the relationships between all partners, including Indigenous, descendant, business and public communities; 
• explore the complex history of heritage management within its colonial context and the harm both in the past and ongoing; and
• learn best practices and be prepared to lead the field towards a more ethical future.

Program Format & Curriculum

This in-person program is designed to be completed in two years of full-time study at Temple’s Main Campus. Students have up to three years to complete the program. Most courses can be taken in any order.  

Required courses include 

• History of Anthropological Theory,
• Indigenous North America,
• Seminar in Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic Archaeology,
• Collections Management and Curation,
• Heritage Management Laws and Regulation, and
• Professionalization in Heritage Management.