Program Details
Archaeology (BA)
Bachelor of ArtsRandolph-Macon College
Archaeology is the study of the human past through material remains. In 21st century practice, archaeology is truly multidisciplinary, with contributions from history, art history, biology, chemistry, geology, anthropology, religious studies, epigraphy, and many other fields. The scope of the human past studied by the archaeologist ranges from the earliest development of humans to very recent times. Modern archaeological research is directed toward understanding how the past occurred, why things changed in the past, and how the past relates to our times.
With a broad range of disciplines involved, the study of archaeology also prepares students for a variety of jobs: field archaeology, museum studies, archaeological law, teaching and research, development of historical tourism, non-profit or other work safeguarding Indian rights and the rights of other indigenous populations. The archaeology major provides students with a coherent, interdisciplinary introduction to the practice, theory, methods, regulations, and ethics of archaeology.
Program Overview & Guidance
| Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Considerations for Selecting Degree | Archaeological research is active, hands-on research. Shoes, trousers, and fingernails get dirty. We work in all kinds of weather outdoors, where we encounter nature – pollen, insects, and the occasional snake. |
| Considerations When Selecting Courses |
Take ARCH 221 or ARCH 320 as soon as possible. Meet with the Director of Archaeological Studies to map a course plan. If you plan on a career in American field archaeology or cultural resource management, it is recommended for jobs and grad school to take GIS, geology, and cultural anthropology. If you want to be a Classical Archaeologist or Egyptologist, take Ancient Greek as your language. If you want to be an osteologist, paleontologist, evolutionary geneticist, or forensic anthropologist, start Biology as soon as possible. If you want to be a conservator, for instance in a museum working with artifacts or analyzing paintings or textiles, start Chemistry as soon as possible. If you want to work in museums as a curator or education specialist in America, you need to decide what period you are interested in studying. (American colonial, African-American, Native American, Latin American, etc.) You should take appropriate art history and history classes for that particular area of study. Spanish is the best foreign language choice. If you are interested in Museum Studies, I recommend that you take business and accounting courses or double major in Arts Management. If you want to work in a foreign country, become fluent in the language. It is hard to get a job working as an archaeologist in a foreign country. You will most likely need a PhD in a specific area of history or art.
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| Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | Archaeology is the study of human history through material remains. Archaeologists excavate and study the buildings and artifacts left behind by past peoples throughout the world. |
| Doing More With Your Degree | The R-MC Archaeological Studies major trains you to work as a field archaeologist or cultural resource management specialist in any area of the world. The major or minor is useful for the art historian, historian, teacher, urban planner, and politician. While in the program, students have opportunities to conduct research in collaboration with a faculty member. Some examples of previous studies are Excavation at Scotchtown. Permission is needed from Preservation Virginia before we can publicize the work. Graduates from our program are employed with companies such as Preservation Virginia Other graduates have continued their studies in programs such as Indiana University of Pennsylvania Florida State University University of Memphis Oklahoma State University |
| Program Successes & Highlights | We have one of the only undergraduate Archaeological Studies programs in existence. Most other programs are within other departments. |
Program Credit Requirements
If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements
The table below lists admissions agreements between Randolph-Macon College and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
| Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students admitted under our guaranteed admissions agreement are guaranteed completion of most general education requirements. Students may need to complete additional foreign language coursework to complete the Effective Communication requirements and must complete the college's Cross-Area Requirements, most of which can be fulfilled through major programs and should not significantly increase the time to completion of degree.
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Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School |
| Credit for Prior Learning | We accept AP (4 or 5 on the exam) and IB (5, 6, or 7 on higher level exams). |
| Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information
| College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Is This College Right For Me? | At Randolph-Macon, we recognize the breadth of knowledge and experience you bring as a transfer student. Our personalized, hands-on approach to learning lets you build on that foundation, honing the skills you'll need to excel. No matter what your future goals, we'll set you on a path to success that’s uniquely yours. |
| Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance at RMC. |
| First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
| Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | GAA students must complete the RMC transfer application and submit all required materials by June 1 (for fall term) or December 1 (for spring term). GAA students will submit an Intent to Transfer form through their current community college contact to RMC. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer
| Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Careers Where This Degree Applies
| O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-1062.00 | Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses pertaining to the culture and development of an area, an ethnic group, or any other group, such as Latin American studies, women's studies, or urban affairs. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 25-1061.00 | Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in anthropology or archeology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 19-3093.00 | Historians | Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 25-1125.00 | History Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in human history and historiography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
| 19-3099.00 | Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | All social scientists and related workers not listed separately. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-3099.01 | Transportation Planners | Prepare studies for proposed transportation projects. Gather, compile, and analyze data. Study the use and operation of transportation systems. Develop transportation models or simulations. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
| 19-3091.00 | Anthropologists and Archeologists | Study the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. May engage in systematic recovery and examination of material evidence, such as tools or pottery remaining from past human cultures, in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
Cost To Complete