Why Should I Study CRM at WVU?
The Cultural Resource Management Program at West Virginia University is distinctive in that its interdisciplinary structure draws faculty and students from across the University. No other program in West Virginia, or the general region, compares with the program at West Virginia University. Our graduate certificate can augment almost any graduate degree (master or doctoral level) at WVU, or it may also be completed independently of other graduate work. Many of our students earn their certificate while completing a masters or doctorate in the following areas:
- History (including Public History)
- Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Resources
- Public Administration
- Design
- Geography
- Art History
Don’t see your program listed above? No problem! CRM fits well with almost any graduate field. Just call (304-293-3589) or email and we will be happy to work with you and your department.
National professional bodies and the National Park Service have established explicit guidelines for certification in this field. The curriculum for the Graduate Certificate in Cultural Resource Management is based upon these guidelines. The curriculum aims to prepare students to enter the workforce with the proper amount of academic and “hands-on” knowledge to become successful cultural resource managers. Our graduates make a difference every day in the field of CRM, and have gone on to such careers as working for the National Park Service, as educators, as administrators, and as independent consultants.
Because the field of CRM is so broad, there are many areas of specialization available for study. Our program recognizes this, and we attempt to allow our program to be tailored to each individual student’s needs and interests. If you examine our curriculum, you will notice that the programs employs a four-tier approach. Tier 1 and Tier 2 provide basic graduate level introductory and broad-based courses in the field of CRM. Tier 3 contains several classes, which allws the student to pick one which is appropriate for their particular area of interest. The program concludes with Tier 4, which is a capstone professional internship or research project.
In addition to the prescribed curriculum, the CRM Program also attempts to offer several field school and field trip opportunities for students (many in connection with our affiliated programs). These trips provide students with opportunities to gain in-depth knowledge about a particular area, witness cultural resource managers at work, or provide for service and outreach opportunities. Former field schools/field trips have included:
- Week-long field school to document historic farmstead in Monroe County, West Virginia resulting in a National Register of Historic Places nomination for the property.
- Week-long archaeological field school in Greenbrier County, West Virginia to learn about Revolutionary War Era Fort Donnelly.
- Trip to Jefferson County, West Virginia to tour historic districts and hear a lecture from the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places.
- Trip to Ashville, North Carolina to tour historic Biltmore Estate.
- Trip to Union, West Virginia to help organize collections of Monroe County Historical Society.
The CRM Program strives to achieve its instructional mission while maintaining a positive and productive environment for student learning. We sponsor occasional social events, and our students normally form close bonds, as well as building relationships with CRM professionals from the state and region.
Do you think you want to join us? Just call (304-293-3589 )or email for more information. We would love to have you as part of the CRM Program!
