Archeologists need a master’s degree or Ph.D. for most positions. They also need related work experience. Many candidates fulfill this requirement through field experience or internships with museums, historical societies, or nonprofit organizations. Many students also attend archeological field schools, which teach students how to excavate, record, and interpret historical and archeological sites.

Most master’s degree programs are two years in duration and include field research, Although a master’s degree is enough for many positions, jobs that require leadership roles and more technical experience may require a Ph.D. A Ph.D. takes several years of study beyond a master’s degree and completion of a doctoral dissertation. Ph.D. students typically spend between 12 months and 30 months doing field research for their dissertation. To direct projects outside the country, anthropologists typically need a Ph.D. to comply with the requirements of foreign governments.

Most graduates with a bachelor’s degree in archeology find jobs in other fields, although a limited number find jobs as field, laboratory, or research assistants. Those with work experience in an internship or field school can work as a field archeologist or do basic laboratory work. However, they need a master’s degree to advance beyond entry-level positions