In order to become an osteoarchaeologist, graduate students must continue their study of archaeology. In addition to learning the history of archaeology and famous excavation sites through coursework, students must learn and master the process of excavation. Many graduate programs will require students to participate in the excavation of a site. By being immersed in an archaeological dig, students will develop skills in identifying and cataloging unearthed materials and remains. Furthermore, students will use the findings to hypothesize and interpret what the archaeological dig reveals about people of the past.
Osteoarchaeologists unearth and catalog bones and fossils at excavation sites, so graduate students must master their ability to identify the bones of humans and animals. As a result, graduate programs in archaeology require students to take several courses in bone anatomy. In addition to anatomy classes, osteoarchaeology graduate programs require students to take courses in taphonomy. Taphonomists use fossils to learn about the death and decomposition of different organisms. A background in taphonomy coupled with anatomy will enable osteoarchaeologists to have a better understanding of the life and death of humans and animals of the past.
Because osteoarchaeologists seek to research the rise and fall of different groups of people, animals and organisms, it's imperative they have a background in palaeopathology, or the study of ancient diseases. Courses in palaeopathology will allow students to study the history of ancient diseases in a wide variety of cultures. In addition, graduate students will have the opportunity to observe the effects of such diseases on the remains of ancient humans and animals.
It's important that graduate students have a strong foundation in research strategies and writing so that they have the ability to conduct osteoarchaeological research. Students who desire to complete a master’s degree in osteoarchaeology will be required to complete a thesis, which will allow them to make a hypothesis and conduct research related to their field. For example, a graduate student may wish to compare human skeletal size in ancient Greece with that of ancient Rome. For students who want to continue to receive a doctorate degree, completion of a dissertation will be necessary.