Your undergraduate work will take approximately four years to complete. Optionally, you can take a heavier class load and finish earlier; however, this is not recommended because the added work could negatively impact your grades in some classes. You should focus your undergraduate work in a field such as history, anthropology or archeologyeeLeep your GPA high, close to 4.0, to give yourself a better chance for doctoral programs to accept you later in your educational career.
Your graduate work will take approximately two to three years to complete. This includes taking a comprehensive exam, known as comps, and constructing your own thesis research document in a specialization of your choice. Look for graduate programs that offer both an archeology specialization and work in an actual archeological site. Apply early to work in your school's site, and get ready for the work that this will entail. Graduate students in archeology work on sites categorizing finds, handling the essential bookwork and recordkeeping, and learning the basic responsibilities of field work.
Your doctoral work will take approximately two to three years to complete. This includes constructing your own dissertation document that should expand the information in your chosen specialization. Optionally, some doctoral programs are available that will accept you right out of undergraduate school. These programs take between five and six years to complete and still require you to take the comps and construct a thesis as part of their programs.
You can begin your field experience in graduate school, working on an archeological site near your school. The years you spend working on your school's site count as field experience, helping you earn a position as a professional archeologist. After college, you can expect to spend a few years working under another archeologist as a field assistant while you earn more experience in your new field. Use this time to reinforce your education and develop your skills as an archeologist.