when you say "public archeology" do you mean CRM or "public" like working in the public sector for like Parks, Corps, SHPO, etc.?

Are you meaning public archaeology as in melding archaeology with public education? For that, yes you would probably have to wait till grad school when you can choose that as your research topic. You can start getting involved earlier though through outreach programs (via museums or historical societies). I know some CRM firms are starting to incorporate public archaeology programs into their work (giving tours during digs for example).

Here's a CRM firm that does this:
http://www.palinc.com/FRAMED%20PAGES/EDOUT.htm

You should be able to do a MA thesis on public archaeology at any school with a good archaeology program. You may ot find many schools that offer classes in the topic but that has little to do with independent research.

Yes, I'm particularly looking into programs that combine archaeology and public education, and probably less to do with CRM. I've actually looked to PAL for employment before, so thanks for referencing them again. Do you know of any schools that would offer graduate coursework in Public Archaeology or have faculty members that specialize in this? I've done some basic research and clearly still need to do more, but programs that you know of would be very helpful for me.

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/masters/summary/MApublic.htm

http://paf.binghamton.edu/

http://www.uwf.edu/archaeology/public/


A lot of schools in the UK have some Public Archaeology courses, and faculty with that focus, and at UCL you can get an MA in it. Its catching on in the US though.

they do not have a specific "Public" program, but incorporate an internship in their masters coursework which can be with a public agency. I can think of two of their more senior professors that have strong roots in public archeology Mark Leone and Paul Shackel, there may be more.

http://www.bsos.umd.edu/ANTH/Graduate/GrdIndex.html

you want to look at all the major schools in florida... UWF FSU UF USF... they all have something related to public archaeology.. I myself am interested in the same thing.. Im going in april to meet with some profs at USF. They offer an MA in Applied antho with a public archaeology track

Yes UMD and USF are both good programs to look at the idea of applied Anthropology fits really well with your concept of public archaeology. I myself got my MA from UMD in applied anthropology. I would also look at schools that have a heritage program. Michigan Technological University is one such school. Any program specializing in heritage (American definition not UK) must deal with public archaeology at some level.

Have a look at CSU Northridge (http://www.csun.edu/csbs/departments/anthropology/index.html) as they have a program within the Anth department, coincidentally enough called the Center for Public Archaeology. They are primarily CRM-minded but give them a call and see what they can do for you.

Additionally, Sonoma State University (http://www.sonoma.edu/anthropology/index.htm) has an M.A. program in CRM, and it's not just about archaeology. I suggest you give them a call as well, as they tend to be extremely flexible about people's direction. I believe Margie Purser is on sabbatical, but Adrian Praetzellis, Richard J. Senghas, or John Wingard should be able to help you out. BTW I know this program personally, and it is incredibly good.