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 earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.
To receive a minor (18 - 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. 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.
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
Take the following 18 units:
The following courses have additional prerequisites:
Students enrolled in this minor may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:
Some courses may have prerequisites. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.