The mission of the program is to produce heritage professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to support the identification, assessment, preservation, interpretation, management, and promotion of historic and cultural resources for non-specialists or Apublic@ audiences.

 

The program is interdisciplinary, using multiple academic perspectives to explore and understand the interrelationships of history and culture in a distinctive region, the Mississippi River Delta.

 

While universal in scope and method, the Heritage Studies doctoral program uses the distinctive  heritages, attributes, resources and cultures of the Mississippi River Delta as its laboratory of study.

 

Our students study regional history, anthropology, archeology, ethnography, folklore, regional and ethnic literature, geography, sociology, and public administration.  They develop traditional doctoral-level research skills, but their educational experience is also applied and practical for the purpose of public dissemination of history and culture.

 

Employment opportunities include senior executive staff positions in cultural and historical agencies, parks and cultural tourists sites, historical societies, museums, archives, federal, state and local public and nonprofit agencies, and private consulting firms.  This degree is not primarily designed for college and university teaching, although students may be qualified to do so.

 

Students seeking admission into the Doctor of Philosophy in Heritage Studies program must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School and the specific program requirements.

 

Applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy in Heritage Studies program must hold a baccalaureate or master=s degree (BA, BS, MA, or MS) from an accredited institution in a related  field of study.

 

Applicants admitted to the program without a master=s degree will be required to complete a minimum of 18 hours of graduate work before they will be allowed to take 7000 level courses.

 

Transcripts should reflect a strong background in social sciences and humanities.  Applicants lacking this background who are otherwise exemplary may be granted provisional admission to the program, but will be required to make up these deficiencies.  These course credits cannot be applied toward fulfillment of doctoral requirements.

 

In some cases, the Heritage Studies Graduate Program Committee may agree to substitute equivalent, documented work experience in the heritage professions for specific courses and, in exceptional cases, other criteria for admission.

 

In addition to application materials required by the Graduate School, applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy in Heritage Studies program must submit a letter explaining their interests in Heritage Studies and personal career goals. The Heritage Studies Admissions Committee will carefully review this statement along with three letters of reference from former professors or professionally based supervisors or peers.

 

In some cases, an example of the applicant=s writing on a scholarly topic and an interview with the Admissions Committee may be required.

 

Four courses that demonstrate study and professional training beyond the individual student=s Specialty Area.

 

Under the direction of the candidacy committee these four courses will address areas that will enrich the student=s research and work in Heritage Studies with special attention to expanding interdisciplinary skills and knowledge.

 

A maximum of one internship for three hours credit may be applied to Enrichment.

Students must complete 300 work hours as a quasi-professional in a culture, heritage, or public history environment.

 

After completion of this work experience, students will provide a written assessment of the Practicum.

 

At the discretion of the candidacy committee, adjustments may be made for students with extensive professional experience in public heritage programs.

 

After completion of the curriculum and the practicum, the candidacy committee will schedule a comprehensive examination of the student=s work in the doctoral program.

 

The format of the exam for all students is established by the Heritage Studies Program Committee.

 

Successful  completion of this examination along with approval of a dissertation proposal allows the student to be formally recognized as a candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy in Heritage Studies.

 

Each candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy in Heritage Studies must execute an original and rigorous research project culminating in the completion, public presentation, and defense of a dissertation.