Archaeological Field School

Archeology students in the field

Department of Anthropology
Location: San Marcos, TX
Course: ANTH 4630: Archaeological Field School
CRN: TBD
Program Director: Dr. Heather Smith, hls36@txstate.edu 
Course Dates: May 12 - June 13, 2025
Travel: May 12 - June 13, 2025
Program Fee: $800
Course Tuition: $2,136.48
*Financial Aid eligible

Program Itinerary

Texas State University's Archaeological Field School provides hands-on experience at significant archaeological sites like Spring Lake and the Freeman Center, located right on campus! This affordable program offers you essential field training from an accredited institution, meeting requirements for many employers in cultural resource management and archaeology—fields that employ over 90% of anthropology graduates. With flexible scheduling, you can balance coursework, work, and personal commitments while actively engaging with the San Marcos community to promote cultural heritage.

DateActivities
Week 1: May 12 - 16Students will spend week 1 learning to conduct and executing an archaeological survey at the Freeman Center, San Marcos, TX: students will gain hands-on experience participating in an actual archaeological survey being conducted as part of the professor's research agenda and learn skills in GPS, mapping, surface and subsurface reconnaissance, artifact identification, and teamwork. Students will also learn about prehistoric and historic cultural resources in central Texas. All of these are field skills are required by professionals in both the industry and academic sectors.
Weeks 2 - 5: May 19 - June 13Students will spend weeks 2-5 learning to conduct and executing an archaeological excavation at Spring Lake: students will gain hands-on experience participating in an actual archaeological excavation being conducted as part of the professor's research agenda and learn skills in mapping with total data stations and by hand, shovel and trowel excavation, remote sensing, geoarchaeological methods, data recovery, public outreach, curation, and teamwork. Students will also learn about prehistoric and historic cultural resources in central Texas. All of these are field skills are required by professionals in both the industry and academic sectors.
June 2Students will tour the CRM firm located on TXST campus, where they will learn about the curation process that occurs after the survey and excavation portions of archaeological fieldwork.

*Itinerary is subject to change. 

Application Process

Follow these steps to enroll.

STEP 2

Applications reviewed by Program Director & OXP.

STEP 3

Pay $50 program deposit. Deadline is March 15, 2025.

STEP 4

Register for SIA associated course.

Program FAQ

Archaeology field work
Archeology students in the field
Archeology students in the field
Expand FAQ List

  • General Information

    • Participants must be accepted juniors or seniors in good academic standing in the Department of Anthropology or another department at Texas State University or other accredited university. Non-Texas State University students can enroll for the class as a non-degree seeking students and have credits transferred to their own institution. Non-university enrolled students should contact the program director Dr. Heather Smith to discuss special allowances to enroll.

      Space is currently limited up to 20 students.

    • Yes, the program will take place in San Marcos for the entirety of the five weeks.

  • Costs

  • Program Preparation

    • No, lodging is not included. If you require lodging in San Marcos, TX, while attending the field school please contact OXP for information about residence halls available on campus for an an additional cost.

    • Yes, you will need a personal vehicle to travel to the program locations each day. 

    • It is highly recommended that you where pants, boots, and good socks during the survey. During the excavation pants or shorts are okay, as are soft-soled tennis shoes. A light long-sleeved shirt and a hat is recommended to help avoid sun burn. 

    • A day pack to hold notebooks, forms, and other recording supplies, plus two refillable water bottles, sunscreen, hat, bandana(s), gloves. Bringing a camera and camping chair is also recommended.

    • The field school will be taught Monday-Friday from 7am - 3pm. Attendance is mandatory.

    • You will need to bring lunch most days. You will be responsible for your own breakfast and dinner outside of field school hours. Please let the field director know about any dietary restrictions prior to the beginning of the field school. There will be water available for refilling bottles each day. 

    • Yes, airconditioned restrooms are available at both the survey and excavation locations.

  • Drop & Refund Policy

    • Refunds for a dropped extension course are given according to university policy for regular university courses on campus. Refer to the TXST One Stop for more information.

    • Students may receive a refund for the program fee if they drop/withdraw within the refund schedule. The program fee refund policy is separate from the refund deadlines associated with course tuition costs.

      The following policy applies to students that drop/withdraw from the course/program:

      • 100% of the program fee is refundable 45 days prior to the course start date.
      • 70% of the program fee is refundable 44 days prior to the course start date. 
      • 50% of the program fee is refundable after the first start date of the course. 

      Students that cannot complete the program and would like to appeal the refund policy, please contact extension@txstate.edu for assistance. 

      Please note the course start date is not the first day of travel.