Best institutions to study Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis
A program that focuses on the application of cultural studies, public policy analysis, and management skills to planning, promoting, and implementing programs to preserve and protect cultural heritage sites and artifacts.
20 U.S. institutions graduated 59 Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 30.1202, a specialization of Historic Preservation and Conservation (CIP 30.12), and leads most directly to the Archivists occupation (BLS SOC 25-4011).
About Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis programs
A program that focuses on the application of cultural studies, public policy analysis, and management skills to planning, promoting, and implementing programs to preserve and protect cultural heritage sites and artifacts. Includes instruction in historical preservation and conservation, business management, policy analysis, applied economics, public relations, applied history, historical archaeology, and environmental impact studies.
See also: 54.0105 - Public/Applied History.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis program, part of the Historic Preservation and Conservation field, prepares students to apply cultural studies and public policy analysis to the preservation of cultural heritage sites and artifacts. This interdisciplinary program is ideal for individuals passionate about history, archaeology, and the management of cultural resources.
Students in this program gain essential skills in historical preservation, conservation, policy analysis, and business management. Coursework often includes topics such as public relations, applied history, and environmental impact studies, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to effectively manage and promote cultural heritage initiatives.
Credentials awarded
What Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree42 graduates / yr · 10 institutions71%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year9 graduates / yr · 6 institutions15%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate6 graduates / yr · 5 institutions10%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.4%
Graduates over time
Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 41 |
| 2013 | 39 |
| 2014 | 34 |
| 2015 | 45 |
| 2016 | 43 |
| 2017 | 61 |
| 2018 | 62 |
| 2019 | 42 |
| 2020 | 48 |
| 2021 | 57 |
| 2022 | 66 |
| 2023 | 67 |
| 2024 | 59 |
| 2025 | 59 |
Top 20 institutions for Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | 94% | $11,888 |
| 2 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MNPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 8 | 40% | — |
| 3 | Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CAPublicMaster's | 7 | 58% | — |
| 4 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicMaster's | 4 | 57% | — |
| 5 | California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CAPublicMaster's | 3 | 55% | — |
| 6 | University of Hawaii at Hilo Hilo, HIPublicMaster's | 3 | 48% | — |
| 7 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 63% | — |
| 8 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicMaster's | 2 | 64% | — |
| 9 | Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CTPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 48% | — |
| 10 | University of Evansville Evansville, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 64% | $19,593 |
| 11 | Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 36% | — |
| 12 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 2 | 48% | — |
| 13 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 2 | 78% | $36,004 |
| 14 | Adams State University Alamosa, COPublicMaster's | 1 | 39% | — |
| 15 | Western Colorado University Gunnison, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 50% | — |
| 16 | New Mexico Highlands University Las Vegas, NMPublicMaster's | 1 | 26% | — |
| 17 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 55% | — |
| 18 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 53% | — |
| 19 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TNPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 53% | — |
| 20 | Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 29% | — |
Offered in 15 states
Where Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis graduates come from. Each state links to all Historic Preservation and Conservation programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3 | 14 | Sonoma State University7 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 12 | Johns Hopkins University12 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 8 | Saint Cloud State University8 / yr |
| Indiana | 2 | 4 | University of Evansville2 / yr |
| Hawaii | 1 | 3 | University of Hawaii at Hilo3 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 3 | East Carolina University3 / yr |
| Colorado | 2 | 2 | Adams State University1 / yr |
| New Mexico | 2 | 2 | New Mexico Highlands University1 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 2 | University of Alabama at Birmingham2 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 2 | Central Connecticut State University2 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 2 | The University of Montana2 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 2 | Drexel University2 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 1 | Portland State University1 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 1 | East Tennessee State University1 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 1 | Salt Lake Community College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-4011, Archivists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the program can pursue careers as archivists, historians, or in various managerial roles. The job outlook for related occupations is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 3.8% and approximately 1,100 openings each year. The median wage for these roles is $61,570, typically requiring a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 30.1202
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Archivistsprimary SOC 25-4011 | $64,550 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | Master's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1062 | $85,020 | +2.4% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Historians SOC 19-3093 | $76,750 | +2.2% About as fast as average | ~300 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.
- Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.
- Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.
- Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology.
- Establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials.
- Direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials.
Tools and technology used
Other Historic Preservation and Conservation specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Historic Preservation and Conservation (CIP 30.12).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, a postbaccalaureate certificate, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, writing, and active listening.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as an archivist, historian, or in various managerial roles related to cultural resource management.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.8% and around 1,100 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis?+
Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis is CIP 30.1202 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Historic Preservation and Conservation (CIP 30.12). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of cultural studies, public policy analysis, and management skills to planning, promoting, and implementing programs to preserve and protect cultural heritage sites and artifacts. Includes instruction in historical preservation and conservation, business management, policy analysis, applied economics, public relations, applied history, historical archaeology, and environmental impact studies.
How many institutions offer Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis programs?+
20 U.S. institutions reported Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states, awarding 59 credentials in the year. That is 13.7% of all Historic Preservation and Conservation graduates.
How much do Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Archivists occupation, which Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,550 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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