Before deciding to pursue a degree in archaeology, or the study of human civilizations through the examination of material culture, it’s important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of doing so. On the plus side, an archaeology major allows students to pursue their passion for cultural studies while also potentially allowing them to travel to exotic locations. However, keep in mind that some universities may not offer an archaeology major, that an archaeology student may be required to take classes that he does not enjoy, and that an advanced degree may be required to work in the field.
Perhaps the most notable benefit of an archaeology major for students with a strong interest in ancient civilizations is that it allows for in-depth study of this subject. Many undergraduate archaeology programs require students to take classes covering a broad range of archeological topics, giving them a broad overview of the field. Undergraduate archaeology students may choose a field of specialization, such as Native American art or Mediterranean cultures, and take classes to gain a thorough understanding of that field.
Many colleges and universities require an archeology major to complete a summer field research internship as part of their degree requirements. Some of the field internships are in other countries. As a result, choosing archaeology as a major may allow students to travel to and work in exotic locations.
On the downside, those interested in majoring in archaeology should be aware that many colleges and universities, particularly in the United States, do not offer this major to undergraduates. Instead, through their anthropology department, these institutions offer a limited number of archeology classes. As a result, students interested in majoring in archaeology may need to relocate to a school that offers this program. Alternatively, they might want to consider getting a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as anthropology or art history, and then going on to graduate school to study archeology.
Another disadvantage of an archeology major is that it may require students to take classes in which they are not particularly interested. Much archeological fieldwork, for example, entails statistical analysis. Even if students dislike math, they may be required to take one or more math classes to prepare for this aspect of an archeology career.
Finally, graduating with an archeology major will typically prepare students for a limited range of archaeology-related careers. Students will typically need to pursue a Master of Arts (MA) degree in archeology in order to advance beyond assistant-level positions. A doctoral degree is typically required for those who want to teach at the college level, work as a museum conservationist, or supervise field research.