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Applied Archaeology, Minor
The Applied Archaeology Minor focuses on the interdisciplinary understanding of past human lives through the scientific study of material culture and biological remains using applicable theories in archaeology. The minor is a skills-focused program that emphasizes real-world applications and hands-on experience in archaeology, allowing students to learn field, lab, and curatorial methods as they apply to archaeological questions.
Students will build the foundations for a wide variety of careers related to humanity's past. In consultation with a faculty mentor, students can take electives that will allow them to acquire further training in topics such as Andean Archaeology, Bioarchaeology, Historical Archaeology, Indigenous Archaeology, Mesoamerican Archaeology, and Southwest Archaeology.
A minor is a secondary field of academic study that allows students to broaden their knowledge, enhance their major field of study, or pursue a personal interest without committing to another major, while still obtaining a credential on their transcript.
To receive a minor (15 - 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses in a specific discipline or interdisciplinary area with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 that is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
- Complete individual plan requirements.
No more than fifty percent of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 18 |
| Major GPA | C |
Purpose Statement
The Applied Archaeology Minor focuses on the interdisciplinary understanding of past human lives through the scientific study of material culture and biological remains using applicable theories in archaeology. The minor is a skills-focused program that emphasizes real-world applications and hands-on experience in archaeology, allowing students to learn field, lab, and curatorial methods as they apply to archaeological questions.
Students will build the foundations for careers in Cultural Resource Management and Contract Archaeology, Government Archaeology, Cultural Consultation, Parks and Recreation Management, Historic and Heritage Preservation, Museums, Curation and Archives, Archaeological Law and Policy, Public Lands Management, and Planning and Sustainability, in addition to a wide range of other fields related to humanity's past. With this minor, students can pursue graduate programs in archaeology both nationally and internationally.
To give students a background in general archaeology as well as the ability to specialize in areas of interest and faculty expertise, the Applied Archaeology Minor requires three methods courses, a theory course, and two thematically focused electives. In consultation with an academic advisor or faculty mentor, students can take electives that will allow them to acquire further training in topics such as Andean Archaeology, Bioarchaeology, Historical Archaeology, Indigenous Archaeology, Mesoamerican Archaeology, Southwest Archaeology, and Zooarchaeology.
The Department of Anthropology at NAU was one of the first post-secondary institutions to establish a graduate program in Applied Archaeology, and the Applied Archaeology Minor continues our department's commitment to providing undergraduate students with skills and avenues to success in a wide range of career fields related to archaeology.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Define, summarize, and analyze Archaeology's core concepts, theories, methods, challenges, and major debates.
- Describe how Archaeology contributes to a greater understanding of the range of human cultural and biological diversity.
- Identify past and present ethical issues in Archaeology to guide archaeological education and research.
- Practice and compare various methods and approaches common in archaeology.
- Evaluate how applied archaeological perspectives and methods address contemporary global challenges.
Minor Requirements
Take the following 18 units:
- ANT 250, ANT 359 (6 units)
- Select from the following (6 units):
- Select additional from the following (6 units):
The following courses have additional prerequisites:
Students enrolled in this minor may not enroll in or pursue the following:
- Anthropology, BA
- Anthropology, Minor
Additional Information
Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.