How-To Apply to Field School/s
Written by Anthropology Graduate Student Reid Ellefson-Frank
Field schools are an important step for many anthropology students, especially those who might want to work in anthropology after graduation. Field schools are also prerequisites for many graduate programs. Here, we’ll talk a little bit about what field schools are and how to apply for them.
Did you know UMass runs a field school? Check out the UMass Bioarchaeology & Forensic Anthropology Field School!
Field schools are intensive courses (usually around 4-7 weeks) where students get hands on instruction in the methods necessary to conduct scientific fieldwork in various areas of anthropology. Because of their intensity and duration, field schools are often worth more credits than traditional classroom courses. Completion of a field school is often a prerequisite for entry level positions and graduate programs. Doing a field school is an excellent way to dip your toes into professional work and determine whether this is something you might want to do post-graduation!
Field schools generally run in the summer, when both students and instructors have the time to participate in such an intensive activity. Weather conditions can also be a factor for instances where the work takes place outside. Many field schools are offered by universities with anthropology programs, and universities may split their summers into two sessions, with field schools offered during one of the two sessions. The timing of field schools will affect the timing of their application cycles, so make sure to check deadlines for applications well in advance.
Anthropology is a wide field, and each subfield has its own variations which are important to keep in mind when applying to a field school. Think about your own interests and look for programs that align with their subjects and/or geography. Different subfields of anthropology will have field schools that emphasize different skills, and archaeological field schools often focus on the archaeology of a specific time period and/or region. Some field schools are more research-based, and others are geared towards professional practice outside of academia. You can also contact some of your professors to see if they have particular programs they might recommend.
There is no universal or common application for field schools. Most programs will have a link to their form on the web page for the field schools(s) they are running. In general, you should expect to be asked for a list of your relevant experiences, including anthropology classes you’ve taken, and one to two references. These references can be professors you have taken classes with. Additional items they may request are transcripts and a personal statement. Some programs may have application fees. If this is a financial impediment to your application, you can contact the director of the program to see if they can waive the application fee.
Field schools have the ability to fulfill the Advanced Research Methods requirement, and may fulfill the core course requirement! Check with yoru advisor to be sure. Any international field school experience must be pre-approved by the International Programs Office in order to receive credit. Students must also work with UMass Career Services to obtain credit. We recommend starting this process as early as possible; the average completion time is 1-3 months depending on the destination. Below are instructions to complete the approval process with IPO:
- Login with your UMass credentials to UMass Abroad
- Please follow this link to begin your application: https://umass.via-trm.com/traveler/programs/12673
- Select the term you will be abroad (e.g. summer). If the term you want is not open, please email Emily Ostenson at eostenson@umass.edu.
- Carefully complete the UMass For-Credit application. Please note: your answers to these questions will be used to determine the risk mitigation steps you have completed so far and whether we can approve this experience. You can find this information on the field school website or by asking your program contact.
- When the above items are complete, please email Emily Ostenson at eostenson@umass.edu so your application can be reviewed and moved to the next phase.
- Once approved, your application will be moved to Conditionally Approved
- Please log back in and complete the following requirements called “Forms”:
- Once all of your forms are complete, your application will be moved to Committed
- Once Committed, you will be charged the Education Abroad Fee will be added to your Bursar bill. ** this fee is currently $410 for summer sessions**
- At this stage, you may request a signature on the approval form for Career Services (or other official approval letter, as needed)
- Bon voyage!
The expenses associated with a field school will vary based on many different factors. These may include but are not limited to:
- In-state vs out-of-state tuition, depending on where you live and the university/program hosting the field school. There may also be differences for domestic vs foreign programs/students.
- Travel expenses including plane tickets, obtaining a passport and/or visa.
- Housing. Some universities/programs factor housing into the cost of the field school, or they may offer some sort of housing (i.e. dorms) for some additional fee.
- Some field schools are located in areas where you will be required to use outdoor bathroom facilities or actually camp (i.e. live in a tent) for the duration of the session. Please be mindful of this as you apply.
- Food. Like with housing, some universities may factor this in, but there may also be meal plans you can buy for college/university cafeterias, provided they are open in the summer.
Yes! Some programs may have their own financial assistance packages, but there are also outside financial aid opportunities you can apply for. The UMass Academic Works program can help you identify some funding opportunities for UMass students. Check out the scholarships resources below!
Scholarships
Scholarships have not been independently verified by UMass Anthropology. Just because a scholarship is listed does not mean all UMass students are eligible. There may be many other funding sources out there not on this list.
- Off the Beaten Track
- Umass Academic Works
*Some of these are links to individual programs, and others are sites with multiple programs. This is not an exhaustive list, and there are many excellent field schools that may not be listed here.
Please note that the presence of a field school on this list does not mean that UMass has vetted or can otherwise guarantee the experience of students at non-affiliated programs. Please be sure to check for safety and inclusion statements for any field school you apply to.
UMass
UMass Bioarchaeology & Forensic Anthropology Field School
Archaeology
- Passport in Time
- Archeological Institute of America
- University of Wyoming – Paleoindian Archaeology at the Edge of the Rockies
- Sanisera – Archaeology Institute for International Field Schools
Biological Anthropology
- Turkana basin institution – paleo and primatology
Primatology
Ecological Anthropology
- Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation
- University of Colorado Humans and Wild Animals: Conservation, Conflict, and Coexistence at Cal-Wood
Ethnography
Interdisciplinary and General Anthropology Study Abroad Programs