Welcome Prospective Students!
Over 500 students have passed through the doors of the Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute since its creation in 1991. Due to our emphasis on extensive and intensive knowledge acquisition, in-depth training, and hands-on experience, our programs have a nationally known reputation for producing knowledgeable, talented, and highly sought after graduates. Small class sizes and cooperative faculty-student research foster the personalized learning environment here at MAI, and our multiple disciplinary concentrations will allow you to get acquainted, explore different career options, and specialize in your area of interest. Futher, our state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment will offer you access to current technologies and techniques.
As an MAI student, you will have lots of opportunities to enhance your degree by participating in hands-on work-study experiences, Study Abroad programs, club activities, internships, volunteer projects, archaeological and forensic employment, and field trips with MAI faculty and staff. During the school year and over the summer our students work on excavations, perform various archeological, forensic and geological fieldwork duties, serve as laboratory analysts, contribute to research reports, and accompany faculty members on research projects and Study Abroad trips to Europe, Latin America, and beyond.
After completing degrees at Mercyhurst, many of our students have gone on to enhance their education by successfully completing graduate programs across the United States, in Europe, and Australia. Others have used their knowledge and skills obtained from their time at Mercyhurst to enter the public and private sectors directly. Many of our former students now have careers in cultural resource management, Higher Education, geology, museum curation and education, public archaeology ( e.g. forest service, federal and state historic preservation agencies), and county, state, and federal law enforcement. Others have used their knowledge and skills from MAI to pursue further education and careers in Biology, Paleoanthropology, History, Law, Medicine, Peace Corps, Photography, Science Education and the US Military.
Please explore the menus on the side and on the top bar to find out more about our students and alumni and what our programs can offer you! Also, don’t forget to check out our individual academic department pages to find out about our programs and individualized concentrations.