Anything worth doing is worth doing well. If you want to obtain a graduate degree in archaeology, then you should seek the best archaeology graduate programs and other relevant information – schools, requirement, and cost.
The archaeology field uncovers artifacts and materials that say a lot about the human species and the societies we build. Studying these artifacts and materials deepens human understanding of our historical and cultural differences, including our similarities.
The following 10 Best archaeology programs are world scholarship forum’s top picks for a rich archaeological, historical, and cultural education.
Many of the programs listed offer adventurous (maybe not as much as Indiana Jones ), exciting, global, real-world field study opportunities, including opportunities to research and analyze archaeological findings. In addition to educating us about people of the past, ancient histories are known to teach us lessons about our present and future.
What Is Archaeology?
Archaeology, also spelled archeology, the scientific study of the material remains of past human life and activities. These include human relics from the oldest stone tools to the man-made objects that are buried or thrown away in the present day.
These include everything made by human beings—from simple tools to complex machines, from the earliest houses and temples and tombs to palaces, cathedrals, and pyramids. Archaeological inquiries are a principal source of knowledge of early, ancient, and extinct values. The word comes from the Greek archaia (“ancient things”) and logos (“theory” or “science”).
The archaeologist a descriptive worker. He has to describe, classify, and analyze the artifacts he studies. An adequate and objective taxonomy is the basis of all archaeology, and many good archaeologists spend their lives in this activity of description and classification.
But the core purpose of the archaeologist is to place the material remains in historical contexts, to supplement what may be known from written sources, thus, increasing the understanding of the past. Ultimately, then, the archaeologist is a historian – his aim is the informative description of the past of man.
There are many branches of archaeology divided by geographical areas such as:
What Are The Graduate Programs In Archaeology?
Although earning an undergraduate degree in archaeology can open up various doors in terms of career options, the subsequent completion of a graduate program significantly improves employment prospects.
Masters Degree in Archaeology
A Masters Degree in Archaeology can serve as ideal preparation for a Ph.D. in the subject. It allows people who have studied other subjects at the undergraduate level to study archaeology at the postgraduate level and can contribute to entry into some archaeology and heritage-based jobs.
Also, it is helpful for those stirring into several other vocations where project management, literacy, and research skills are important qualities.
Areas of Specialization
A Masters in Archaeology is mostly made up of two core modules, six optional modules, and the completion of either a written dissertation or a field-based work placement. However, different universities may structure their precise archaeology course somewhat differently. The core modules and optional modules available may vary extremely.
Most students studying archaeology at the masters level will graduate with a Master of Arts (MA) or a Master by Research (MRes). However, some archaeology masters, like forensic archaeology degrees, will instead result in the graduate becoming a Master of Science (MSc).
In addition to more general archaeology masters degrees, several more specialist masters degrees can be found, including:
Medieval Archaeology – Focuses on antiquities, buildings, and material culture from the medieval time.
Maritime Archaeology – The study of underwater archaeology, such as shipwrecks and submerged settlements.
Anthropological Archaeology – the study of past human life through uncovering material evidence.
Landscape Archaeology – Deals with the historical interaction between humans and their environment.
Forensic Archaeology – Contains elements of both the study of archaeology and the study of forensics.
PhD In Archaeology
This program of study looks at the recovery, interpretation, and analysis of material remains from history. Students may learn more about scientific techniques as they complete the degree.
This type of study is valuable because it gives students the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the professional world of archeology. Most students use a Ph.D. in Archaeology to enter the academic or research worlds.
Graduates may get an increase in salary or access to new job opportunities upon completion.
What Are The Requirements For Completing A Graduate Program In Archaeology?
You will typically be expected to have a good bachelor’s degree (at least a 2:1 or equivalent). Some universities may accept graduates from any subject, while others will require that your bachelor’s degree should be in a subject related to the field of archaeology in which you mean to specialize.
Master of Science or Master of Arts in Archaeology
Master’s programs in archaeology provide students an education in a chosen specialization area. In addition to topics in cultures, master’s students study science, language, history, geography, and arts. Graduate programs in archaeology require students to complete a thesis project in their concentrated area, as well as participate in a residency or on-site archaeological project. Common coursework includes:
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Ph.D. In Anthropology With A Concentration In Archaeology
In the U.S., Ph.D. in Archaeology programs are slightly uncommon, although students can pursue a Ph.D. in Anthropology with a concentration in archaeology. These degree programs expect students to hold a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in archaeology or a related field, as well as a 3.0 GPA in previous coursework.
In addition, all Ph.D. programs require individuals to have reading proficiency in a second language, which can be pursued during their coursework, and to complete a dissertation project in their field of study. Course topics may include:
What Are The Benefits Of Completing A Graduate Program In Archaeology?
In the highly competitive global marketplace, a graduate degree sets you apart from other job candidates.
With a graduate degree, you’ll be eligible for more jobs. The number of occupations that typically require a graduate degree will increase by nearly 20% between 2006 and 2016.
In many career sectors, such as higher education administration, public affairs, and social services, a graduate degree is replacing a bachelor’s as the minimum requirement for employment.
While holding a graduate degree is not a guarantee of ultimate success, it certainly opens many more doors for employment
A graduate degree helps give you job security. Data from the 2012 U.S. Census Bureau show that the unemployment rate for holders of a graduate degree is 3.5% compared with 4.5% for those with only bachelor’s degrees, while unemployment rates among those with doctorates (2.5%) and advanced professional degrees (2.1%) are approximately half that of those with only a bachelor’s degree.
For graduate degree holders, the numbers are favorable. U.S. workers between the ages of 21 and 64 with a master’s degree or higher earn an average annual salary of $55,242, versus those with a bachelor’s degree whose average annual salary is $42,877, according to the United States Census Bureau.
This represents nearly a 30 percent difference in average annual salary—and offers clear evidence that completing a graduate degree can make a positive impact on one’s financial situation.
Graduate degree programs combine discipline-specific, advanced coursework with skills like critical thinking, analytic ability, and time management that are easily transferred if your career path changes.
What Are The Career Opportunities After Completing A Graduates Program In Archaeology?
After completing a graduate program in archaeology, graduates will have developed or enhanced their research, literacy, project management, teamwork, and analytical skills, making them perfect candidates for many jobs where those attributes are desired.
For careers related directly to the course, archaeology masters graduates should be sufficiently equipped to go into the museum and national heritage-based vocations and some lower-end archaeology jobs.
Furthermore, the course serves as ideal preparation for further studies, such as an archaeology Ph.D., which can lead to careers at the top end of the archaeology industry. A master’s degree can also function as a good building point for careers in lecturing or teaching.
Individuals completing a master’s degree in archaeology may hold positions in museums or on dig or field research sites. Surprisingly, archaeologists are frequently found on construction sites to assist in preserving historical or found artifacts. Below are a few career titles that an individual with a master’s degree in archaeology may hold:
On the other hand, graduates of a Ph.D. in Archaeology can pursue upper-level roles in areas such as academia and the arts. It’s common to find on-site field directors also holding full-time professor positions. Possible professional titles in this field include:
How Much Will I Earn With A Graduate Degree In Archaeology?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), anthropologists and archaeologists are expected to see job growth of 10% from 2018 to 2028. In May 2019, the BLS reported that anthropologists and archaeologists receive a median annual salary of $63,670.
Graduate students pursuing archaeology can consider master’s programs in the field as well as doctoral programs in anthropology offering an archaeology concentration. These programs can lead to careers in research, teaching, cultural resources, and more.
What Are The Best Archaeology Graduate Programs?
#1. University of Oxford
M.Sc Archaeology
Cost
Home- £13,600
Overseas – £24,450
Acceptance Rate: 17.9% QS Archeology Ranking – #1
Oxford University is an Academic University in England, the United Kingdom. It is the 2nd oldest existing University in the world making it a dream destination for the archaeological program. The public research university was founded as far back as 1096.
The master’s program in Archaeology provides an opportunity for students to build on their knowledge from undergraduate studies. It equips them to specialize in a particular area of archaeology, while also offering an excellent foundation for those wishing to continue towards research at the doctoral level.
Requirements
As a minimum, applicants should hold the equivalent of the following UK qualifications:
#2. University of Cambridge
MPhil in Archaeology
Cost
£12,159
Acceptance Rate: 21% QS Archeology Ranking – #2
The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209 as a public research University. It has undergone a series of positive transformation to emerge as one of the best Universities in the world. The University has several artifacts making it a top destination to study archaeology and anthropology.
The MPhil in Archaeology allows students to gain a critical appreciation of archaeology, the human past, and its place in the modern world. It provides training in research, analytical skills, and expertise in a chosen, specialist area.
The emphasis at the MPhil level is on research-led teaching so that staff and students interact in lectures, seminars, language classes, and laboratory-based practicals. This aims at mastering the basics of theory and method, while also engaging students as participants in ongoing research projects.
Requirements
#3. University College London (UCL)
Archaeology MA
Cost
UK: £12,500 (FT)
£6,250 (PT)
Overseeas: £25,800 (FT)
£12,900 (Pt)
Acceptance Rate: 63% QS Archeology Ranking – #3
The University College London (UCL) is a research university equipped with modern teaching and research facilities. UCL currently ranks as one of the UK’s best Universities and one of the best archaeology schools for graduate programs.
The Archaeology MA is an intensive induction program on the current archaeological theory which equips students to research in their chosen field. The flexible program of study serves as an excellent expansion of undergraduate studies or as a self-designed foundation for further postgraduate and professional work.
Requirements
#4. Harvard University
Ph.D. Anthropology
Cost
Covered By School (Fully Funded/ Fellowship)
Acceptance rate: 6% QS Archeology Ranking – #5
Harvard University is one of the most popular universities in the world and it has attained this feat through years of excellent academic programs. Harvard University is a choice study destination for students around the world making admission into the University extremely competitive.
The graduate admissions committee aims to select very qualified applicants who represent a range of interests and backgrounds and who will form a reasonably well-balanced class unit.
An effort is made each year to ensure that the entering class represents a range of interests in the geographical and cultural regions of the world. However, there is no automatic allocation of slots in the program for specific areas.
Requirements
#5. Durham University
MA in Archaeology
Cost
EU Student – £22,790.00 per year
Home Student – £10,100.00 per year
Acceptance rate: 13% QS Archeology Ranking – #6
Durham University is a collegiate public research university in Durham North East, England. Founded in 1832, Durham University is consistently ranked among the top five universities in the UK and the top 100 institutions in the world.
The MA takes advantage of the exceptionally wide research interests of the staff in Durham Archaeology, which range from Neanderthal art and the Paleolithic of Western Europe to Buddhism in South Asia and trade in the Indian Ocean, and of course the archaeology of medieval and post-medieval Europe – where Durham has long held a special place.
Requirements
#6. University of California, Berkeley
Ph.D. Classical Archaeology
Cost
Fully Funded
Acceptance rate: 14.8% QS Archeology Ranking – #4
UC Berkeley is one of the ten UC school system and a dream destination for international students seeking to study in world-leading Universities. It was founded in 1868 and serves as the flagship institution of the ten research universities affiliated with the University of California system.
The Graduate Program in Classical Archaeology aims to ensure that its students are fully competent in Greek and Latin and have a good understanding of historical method as well as a thorough training, including experience in fieldwork, in Greek and Roman archaeology.
The holder of a Ph.D. should be qualified either for a major museum post or for university teaching (up to the senior undergraduate level in the ancient languages and in ancient history, and at all levels from elementary to graduate in large areas of ancient archaeology and art history).
Requirements
The minimum graduate admission requirements are:
#7. Columbia University
Ph.D. Art History and Archaeology
Cost
$24,512
Acceptance Rate – 5.9% QS Archaeology Ranking – #8
This private Ivy League research university in Upper Manhattan, New York City established in 1754. It boasts of over 8,000 students studying courses under its diverse programs in its schools.
Students in the Ph.D. program earn the MA and MPhil degrees en route to the doctorate. After being awarded the MPhil degree, students of merit may be appointed as Teaching Fellows to teach in the undergraduate Core Curriculum, which involves a highly organized training program and unusual independence as teachers in a small seminar setting.
Fellowships are awarded in recognition of academic achievement and expectation of scholarly success. Teaching and research experience are an important aspect of doctoral students’ training. Thus, graduate fellowships include teaching and research apprenticeship.
Students who pass their MPhil examination and successfully defend their dissertation proposal in the third or fourth year of study are eligible for a Dissertation Fellowship and can begin research on the dissertation.
Requirements
#8. Leiden University
M.Sc. Archaeological Science
Cost
€2,143
Acceptance Rate: 50% QS Archaeology Ranking – #10
Leiden University is the oldest University in the Netherlands. Established as far back in 1575, the University is credited to have produced several successful graduates. The University is one of the ideal schools to learn in the field of archaeology.
Archaeological Science at Leiden University is an MSc specialization that delves into the specifics of archaeological methods and techniques. The combination of hands-on field experience and laboratory work offers a challenging and rewarding research environment.
A scientific methodology is an important approach in modern archaeology and it is at the heart of archaeological science. Hypotheses, data, theory, experiments, observations, as well as presentation and interpretation, are all key to our understanding of our past.
Requirements
#9. Sapienza University of Rome
Master’s Degree in Classical Archaeology
Cost
€2,456
Acceptance rate – 26% QS Archaeology Ranking – #11
This is a collegiate university located in Rome, Italy. The Sapienza University of Rome has a high enrollment rate and it is one of the oldest universities in Europe. The University was founded in 1303 but came to be known as the Sapienza University only in the 1650s. It has some of the best graduate programs in archaeology.
The university runs courses in programs such as Bachelors and Masters Degrees, Professional Courses, Advanced Professional Courses, and Specialization Programs.
The Master’s Degree in Classical Archaeology represents a great innovation among Italian universities courses. The Master’s Degree in Classical Archaeology aims at providing thorough training in the field of Classical Archaeology.
Requirements
#10. University of California, Los Angeles
M.A Anthropology
Cost
$17,486 annually for California residents.
$32,588 annually for non-California residents.
Acceptance Rate: 17% QS Archaeology Ranking – #9
The University of California is one of the world’s leading public research universities, located in beautiful La Jolla, California. They are one of the best archaeology schools in the world.
They also offer one of the best graduate programs in archaeology, one of them, a master’s program in anthropology.
The objective of the M.A. degree in Anthropology is to prepare students for professional-level employment in industry and government, teaching positions in community colleges, or advanced study towards the Ph.D. degree.
Requirements
How Long Does It Take To Earn A Graduate Degree In Archaeology?
Usually, a master’s degree program in archaeology can be completed in two years. However, some programs can take 11 months while some take a longer period of time.
A Ph.D. however, takes as long as 6-9 years. This does not include the time it takes to obtain a master’s degree. Most Ph.D. programs require applicants to have completed their master’s degree.
Between the master’s degree and Ph.D., it takes a total of about 8-10 years to complete the graduate program in archaeology.
FAQs For A Graduate Degree In Archaeology
Yes. You need a master’s degree if you intend to obtain a Ph.D.
Generally it takes about 8 – 10 years to get both a master’s and a Ph.D. for the master’s degree, it takes 11months – 2 years and about 6-7 years for a Ph.D.
Depending on your specialization and personal interest, you may be able to work in charities, finance, marketing, administration, environmental agencies, chartered surveying and education.
You can get jobs as: a higher education lecturer, social researcher, tourism officer, archivist, cartographer, records manager or even as a geographic information systems specialist.
Conclusion
Archaeology is the study of the ancient and recent human past through material remains. If you are in search of good graduate programs in archaeology, this content has given the 10 best programs, their requirements, and the cost.
It also has answers to related questions, so, go through the programs and schools, make a choice, and begin a new chapter of your lives.
Goodluck!
References
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