From very humble beginnings in 1981, the maritime studies program at East Carolina University has blossomed into one of the world's leading academic underwater archaeology programs. It is characterized by hands-on underwater training, primary document historical research, and other practical skills such as remote sensing and grant writing. These skills provide the type of training eagerly sought by employers.

From very humble beginnings in 1981, the maritime studies program at East Carolina University has blossomed into one of the world's leading academic underwater archaeology programs. It is characterized by hands-on underwater training, primary document historical research, and other practical skills such as remote sensing and grant writing. These skills provide the type of training eagerly sought by employers. Since its inception, the program has graduated 201 MA students in this field, with an overall graduation rate of 71 percent. A very large percentage of our graduates go on to get jobs in the field as archaeologists, contract archaeologists, government cultural resource managers, museum archeologists, curators, museum directors, national and state park staff, conservators, and teachers at all levels.