Applied Archaeology at PSU includes the practice of archaeology within Cultural Resource Management (CRM), Public Archaeology, and applied zooarchaeology. Students take courses in archaeology and anthropology, including CRM. The archaeological field school is specifically structured around skills necessary in applied archaeological field work and public interpretation through the Public Archaeology program at Ft. Vancouver National Historic Monument. Applied zooarchaeology (see Environmental Anthropology) uses animal bone records to address contemporary issues in conservation biology.
Anthropology faculty specialize in applied anthropology (Jeremy Spoon, Doug Deur), environmental anthropology and applied archaeology (Shelby Anderson, Virginia Butler, Doug Wilson). The Applied Track in the graduate program was designed for students interested in Applied Anthropology.
In addition to coursework, students can intern with agencies including National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service among others. Students are also strongly encouraged to take appropriate coursework outside anthropology, including in the Geography Department’s GIS program, the Public History MA program, and in the School of Urban and Public Affairs. Graduate Students are encouraged to follow the Thesis Track to ensure meeting the standards of the Register of Professional Archaeologists. Also see Archaeology.