Program Overview
This program will begin in January 2021, pending SACSCOC accreditation approval.
Prepare for a terminal degree that leads to a career in archaeology with Lipscomb University’s Master of Arts in Archaeology. In this program you will develop core knowledge, acquire skills and engage in professional experiences that will equip you to practice archaeology in the field or to teach in a humanities-based discipline.
Complete more than 200 hours of internship work in field schools, museum studies or lab work along with participation in at least one excavation season. Demonstrate your ability to design and independently pursue a viable research project through your thesis work. Through these experiences along with exploration of current research in archaeology, you will become an active member of the scholarly archaeological guild.
Admissions Requirements
Ready to apply? Let’s get started. We’re here to help at every step. Applicants to the program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and submit the following for admission review and enrollment:
- Completed and submitted online application
- $50 non-refundable application fee
- Official college transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities (including graduate, if applicable)
- Diagnostic examination
- Two recommendations: at least one from a university professor and one from either a
a supervisor/employer or character reference (pastor, priest, mentor). - Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
- A research paper providing evidence of your academic work OR 750-1000 word essay about your career, your interest in archaeology, and how you would use the skills and learnings from our program professionally or personally.
- Interview with faculty (on campus, virtually or by phone)
For transcripts, electronic copies can be emailed directly from your undergraduate institution to gradadmissions@lipscomb.edu.
If you are having a hard copy mailed, have it sent to:
Lipscomb University
Graduate Admissions
One University Park Drive
Nashville, TN 37204
Courses
Archaeology & Archaeological Method (18 hours)
Archaeology
ARCH 5103 Archaeology of Ancient Israel
ARCH 5203 Archaeology of the New Testament World
Archaeological Method/Theory
ARCH 5303 Archaeological Field Excavation Methods
ARCH 5403 Archaeological Practicum-Material Studies
ARCH 5503 Archaeological Method and Theory
ARCH 5603 Ceramic Analysis – Syro-Palestine
Biblical Backgrounds and History (6 hours)
GB 5183 History of Ancient Israel
or
GB 5193 History of the Second Temple Period
GB 5273 Social and Cultural Settings of Ancient Palestine
or
GB 5283 Social and Cultural Settings of Palestine during the Roman Period
Biblical and Cognate Languages (6 hours)
Either one year of introductory Hebrew or Greek or advanced Hebrew or Greek exegesis (depends on prerequisite Biblical language).
GB 5033/GB 5073 Biblical Greek I, II
or
GB 5043/GB 5063 Biblical Hebrew I, II
or
GB 5703/GB 5713 NT Greek Readings I, II
or
GB 5763/GB 5773 OT Hebrew Readings I, II
Thesis or Electives (6 hours)
Thesis and Research
ARCH 5902 Graduate Research Seminar
ARCH 599V Thesis
ARCH 6000 Thesis Continuation
Electives
Graduate courses in complementary areas approved by program director.
Prerequisites
Bible Backgrounds (Historical Geography)
Old Testament Interpretation (BI 4503 or equivalent)
New Testament Interpretation (BI 4513 or equivalent)
Biblical Language (Hebrew or Greek) (HB 1515/HB 1525 or GR 1515/GR 1525 or equivalent)
Tuition & Aid
Program tuition is $950 per credit hour.
You will have access to many scholarship opportunities offered to Lipscomb University students as well as internal departmental resources, on-campus employment and traditional sources of financial aid loans.