Archeologists study history by excavating historic sites and analyzing artifacts and other physical evidence that they find.
To work in the field of archeology, you'll generally need at least a bachelor's degree. Some colleges and universities offer these programs partially online.
Want to become an archaeologist? Keep reading for our top online archeology degree programs.
Top Online Archaeology Degree Programs
Online archeology degree programs are rare, and there are only a couple in the United States.
However, a few colleges and universities allow you to take at least a portion of your archeology courses online. We've listed our top picks for online and hybrid archeology degree programs below in alphabetical order. !!1. Oregon State University [Oregon State University is a public research university in Corvallis, OR. It offers an archeology program through its School of Language, Culture, and Society within its College of Liberal Arts.
This is a bachelor's degree with a major in anthropology and a specialization in archeology. The program is available almost completely online.
This is a four-year program that includes courses like:
- Archeological Inference
- Archeology Field School
- Archeology of Foragers
- Cultural Resources: Policy and Procedures
While courses are online, the program does require 12 credits of site-based field school experience.
This can be completed at a program near you or through one of the university's field school options.
2. University of Florida
The University of Florida is a public research university in Gainesville, FL. It offers archeology-focused programs with a portion of online classes.
Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Anthropology with a concentration in archeology. It includes courses such as:
- African American Archaeology
- Introduction to World Archaeology
- Introduction to Zooarchaeology
- Principles of Archaeology
While the degree isn't available fully online, many general education requirements and anthropology courses are available in an online format.
Graduate programs in archeology are also available through the University of Florida, however, these programs do not offer online options.
3. University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university in Ann Arbor, MI. It offers an archeology program at the Dearborn campus.
Students major in anthropology and can choose specific archeology core courses and electives, some of which are offered online or in a hybrid format. These courses include:
- Doing Anthropology: Ethnographic Methods and Applied Practice
- Introduction to Archaeology
- Prehistoric Archaeology
- Who Owns the Past?
All anthropology students must participate in an on-site archeological research project that includes excavation, survey, mapping, historical research, and artifact analysis
4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university in Chapel Hill, NC. It's the flagship university of the University of North Carolina system.
It offers a Bachelor of Arts in Archeology through its Department of Archeology. This program focuses on the systematic study of the human past through its material remains.
The program requires a minimum of 27 credits. Courses offered in this program include:
- Archaeological Theory and Practice
- Minoans and Mycenaeans: The Archaeology of Bronze Age Greece
- Principles of Archaeology
- The Inca and Their Ancestors: The Archaeology of Andean South America
Some courses in the program as well as some general courses are available online, though the online options vary between semesters.
Students are also required to participate on-site for at least one laboratory course and one field school.
5. Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university in St. Louis, MO. It offers an undergraduate degree in archeology through its Department of Art History and Archeology.
It provides a comprehensive understanding of both anthropological and classical archeology to help students learn how to investigate the material remains of past societies and cultures.
23 courses are required for this program, many of which are available online. Courses include:
- Introduction to Archaeology
- The Ancient Maya: Archaeology and History
- Underwater Archaeology
- World Archaeology: Global Perspectives on the Past
Students in this program will also have access to internships, research opportunities, and study abroad opportunities.
FAQs About Online Archaeology Degree Programs
Below, you'll find the answers to frequently asked questions about online archeology degree programs.
Is It Possible to Earn an Archeology Degree Fully Online?
No archeology degrees in the United States are fully online, as most require some amount of in-person fieldwork or lab experience.
However, you can find programs that offer some or all of the courses online.
How Long Are Online Archeology Degree Programs?
Most bachelor's degree programs in archeology take four years to complete, while master's degree programs take about two. Doctoral degree programs can vary.
What Level of Degree Do I Need to Be an Archeologist?
A bachelor's degree in archeology can open the doors to entry-level careers in archeology and research, but graduate degrees are typically required to work as an archeologist or researcher.
Find Online Archaeology Degree Programs
While no college or university in the United States offers a 100% online archeology program, there are a few that allow you to take some or most of your program online.
Check out the archeology degree programs listed above to find the right fit for you today!
