This program is a four-week, intensive field school experience designed to provide students with job-ready skills to enter the workforce as archaeological field technicians at the Cultural Resource Management (CRM) industry. Students will learn key skills necessary for CRM jobs, including survey, surface collection, shovel testing, excavation, laboratory techniques, relevant laws, and reporting. Students will learn the entire process of CRM practices, from data collection to data reporting and mitigation. Practical field and laboratory activities are supplemented by relevant readings and formal lectures.

This program takes place in rural Illinois, where CRM work must take into consideration vegetation, farming cycles, seasons and stakeholder sensitivities. Knowledge acquired in this program can be used for CRM work across the U.S. but will be of primary relevance for CRM work in similar landscapes and environmental conditions. proper techniques to investigate similar landscapes.

All field school directors are experts in their field and passionate about their work. To discuss the suitability of this program for your career goals – whether within or outside academia – you are invited to contact the directors directly. For a broader discussion which ARC program to choose, you are welcome to contact our staff directly – you can do that through our “Contact Us” page.

Executive Director, Center for American Archeology

Field School Director, Center for American Archeology

• Application: You must apply online for this program – application is free
• Deposit: A $300 nonrefundable deposit (part of the total tuition cost) is required to secure a space in the program
• Credit Card Fee: Payments with credits cards incur 3% processing fee
• Late Fee: A $100 Late Fee will be added to the program costs if tuition is not paid in full by payment deadline
• Cancellation Policy: Carefully read our Cancellation Policy before committing to attending our programs
• Trip Cancellation Insurance: Trip cancellation insurance is not provided by ARC. Such policies have changed due to Covid 19. If you wish to purchase an insurance policy that covers pandemic contingencies, explore Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) plans. Insuremytrip or Travel Guard are possible websites where you may explore different insurance policies.

Students will reside in the Center for American Archaeology dormitories. The dormitory is coed. No single rooms are available. A refrigerator and microwave in the kitchen area are available for student use.

Meals are provided Monday breakfast through Saturday lunch. Cuisine is standard Midwestern dishes. CAA food services accommodate a variety of needs, including vegetarian and vegan diets. Enrolled students will receive a form to report their dietary needs before arrival.

We suggest you hold purchasing your airline ticket until six (6) weeks before the program begins. Natural disasters, political changes, weather conditions & a range of other factors may require the cancellation of a field school. ARC typically makes a final Go/No Go decision six weeks before program begins. To protect students from potential financial loss, we urge you to purchase airline tickets only six weeks prior to program beginning.

Students are expected to arrive at the CAA in Kampsville, IL, on Sunday, first day of your session, by 5:00pm. If you travel by plane, plan to arrive to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport on the first day of the program by 4pm. CAA staff will meet you in the baggage claim area of your terminal, holding a CAA program sign.

This is a domestic program. No visa is required for US Citizens.