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Archaeology Minor

Minor (M)

Undergraduate Minor

Allendale • Face to face (?) • 22 Credits

Archaeology is the study of the breadth of human experience through analysis of material culture, from the earliest appearance of humankind to the recent past

Overview

This minor provides students with a broad understanding of archaeological methods and theories, emphasizing the analysis of artifacts, structures, and landscapes to uncover the stories of past civilizations. Students are prepared for careers in museums and archives, tourism, publishing, government service, and cultural resource management. The curriculum is designed to complement various majors, making it a versatile addition to any academic path.

You will take courses in archaeological methods and research design and regional archaeology courses focusing on areas such as North America and the Middle East. These courses provide a solid foundation in archaeological principles, enhanced by hands-on learning opportunities through fieldwork and laboratory research.

The program's emphasis on practical skills and real-world applications ensures that graduates are well-prepared for careers in archaeology and related fields. With experienced faculty and research opportunities, both locally and globally, this minor is an excellent choice for students passionate about uncovering the past and contributing to our understanding of human history. 

Interdepartmental Archaeology Minor

211-D Lake Huron Hall
(616) 331-3231
[email protected]

Admissions and Recruitment Office

gvsu.edu/admissions

Career Opportunities

Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.

Top skills
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 31,182.26 10%
$ 31,849.69 25%
$ 38,398.83 50%
$ 47,615.39 75%
$ 68,805.12 90%

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.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Instructing
  • Writing
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 46,406.69 10%
$ 60,100.88 25%
$ 85,823.68 50%
$123,123.26 75%
$166,433.09 90%

Escort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, and art galleries.

Top skills
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Service Orientation
  • Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 23,661.37 10%
$ 29,113.84 25%
$ 33,217.47 50%
$ 38,917.18 75%
$ 63,226.60 90%

Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 35,251.93 10%
$ 42,368.29 25%
$ 52,520.66 50%
$ 68,093.50 75%
$ 93,814.96 90%

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

Top skills
  • Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 12,959.60 10%
$ 22,471.64 25%
$ 40,118.94 50%
$ 66,444.11 75%
$125,238.28 90%

Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 34,916.12 10%
$ 48,090.39 25%
$ 55,043.27 50%
$ 68,427.88 75%
$108,776.38 90%

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.

Top skills
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 36,795.79 10%
$ 48,999.31 25%
$ 61,439.28 50%
$ 83,468.85 75%
$128,279.28 90%

Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.

Top skills
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 29,108.48 10%
$ 36,179.48 25%
$ 46,850.54 50%
$ 63,689.47 75%
$ 90,425.66 90%

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.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Instructing
  • Writing
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 46,446.25 10%
$ 60,565.21 25%
$ 83,891.16 50%
$121,619.93 75%
$178,853.17 90%

Escort individuals or groups on sightseeing tours or through places of interest, such as industrial establishments, public buildings, and art galleries.

Top skills
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Service Orientation
  • Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 23,835.71 10%
$ 29,371.49 25%
$ 37,319.48 50%
$ 49,871.16 75%
$ 77,418.90 90%

Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 36,957.09 10%
$ 45,901.70 25%
$ 60,314.50 50%
$ 80,353.28 75%
$114,385.19 90%

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

Top skills
  • Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 17,574.17 10%
$ 29,692.04 25%
$ 52,330.61 50%
$ 91,119.50 75%
$170,582.92 90%

Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 29,571.94 10%
$ 39,216.93 25%
$ 53,123.76 50%
$ 79,671.57 75%
$124,466.85 90%

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.

Top skills
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 40,221.24 10%
$ 47,893.94 25%
$ 61,926.77 50%
$ 82,196.29 75%
$109,908.97 90%
4,963
Students Participated in Experiential Learning
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Scholarships

Grand Valley State University offers a wide variety of merit-based scholarships. For information on all of the scholarships that are available to students, please visit Scholarships at GVSU.

Grand Valley offers myScholarships (a scholarship matching tool) to help admitted students match with GVSU scholarships, as well as external scholarship opportunities. myScholarships will prompt you to answer questions to help match you to scholarships for which you might qualify.

Archaeological Society

The Archaeological Society of Grand Valley State University exists to bring together like-minded students with an interest in archaeology and historical preservation, to promote education in the many facets of Archaeology and Conservation, and to inspire students to embark on an archaeological quest of their own.

Learn More About this Organization

Field School Opportunities

There are many field school opportunities available, both locally and abroad. Every other summer, Grand Valley's local field school, ANT 307, offers you the chance to work on a variety of sites near our campus. 

Learn More About This Opportunity

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Page last modified May 19, 2025