What Education Do You Need to Be an Archaeologist?
The research and analysis that archaeologists provide have given the world insight into ancient cultures. Archaeologists recover and analyze artifacts to study the culture and history of societies. Artifacts include tools, art, pottery and architectural ruins. Archaeologists can work in research firms to identify and assess artifacts and historical materials on public and private land. Individuals may also work in museums and historic sites to maintain archaeological artifacts and educate visitors.
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Career Opportunities
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The careers available for archaeology majors depend on the highest level of education. For example, undergraduates in archaeology can work in entry-level positions including research assistant, archaeology writer or trainee. The minimum degree requirement for an archaeologist is a Master’s degree in archaeology, but a doctorate degree is required for a teaching position.
Undergraduate Degree
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Undergraduate degrees in archaeology are limited, but can provide a base education for those seeking entry-level positions or who plan to move on to an advanced education. The undergraduate archaeology degree focuses on topics such as archaeology theory, culture, history and art. The degree program also teaches students archaeological analysis and processing methods. Courses in a bachelor’s degree program can include human evolution, world cultures, historical geology and the history of anthropological theory.
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Master’s Degree Program
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To qualify for a position as an archaeologist, candidates must complete a Master’s degree program. It is not necessary to have an undergraduate in archaeology to enter a Master’s program, but it can provide a base education. A Master’s degree program allows students to specialize in an area of archaeology, such as medieval or Native American studies. The coursework in a Master’s degree program includes laws and ethics for archaeology and research methods. Students with a Master’s degree in archaeology can work in a position as an archaeologist, instructor or a field director on an archaeological site.
Doctorate
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Archaeology students specialize further in a doctorate degree program in areas such as Roman archaeology, renaissance art or Greek archaeology. Doctorate degree programs may require students to be proficient in at least two languages separate from their native language. Coursework in an archaeology doctorate program includes classical Greek sculpture, architecture in Athens and food-gathering societies. Archaeologists with a doctorate degree can teach at an advanced level and obtain positions as an archaeologist in museums, historic societies or for a research firm.
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References
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