The School of American Studies offers a Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in Interpretation that provides students with advanced study in the field of Interpretation. Interpretation is the communications process used at cultural resource sites to forge emotional and intellectual bonds between visitors and the meanings inherent in the resource. This highly specialized communication process is used in museums, historic sites, nature centers, art galleries, zoos, aquaria, tourism, and eco-tourism. The Education foundation of this degree prepares graduates for positions in program development, management, planning, and curriculum design for interpretive sites. This is a highly competitive field and this program is designed to prepare qualified candidates with a foundation in theory and hands-on application.

Students will have the opportunity to apply for professional certification through the National Association of Interpreters, (NAI), as a Certified Interpretive Planner, (CIP), Certified Heritage Interpreter, (CHI), Certified Interpretive Manager, (CIM), or Certified Interpretive Trainer, (CIT). Students who have received certification from NAI through previous training may apply for up to 9 transfer credit hours upon completion of a proficiency evaluation and documentation.

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