Program update | Applications to this program are currently suspended. |
The Archaeology Diploma program at Northern Lights College provides academic knowledge and field skills specific to archaeology sampling techniques. The field of archaeology is growing along with the oil and gas industry and other developments that disturb the land. Trained graduates can find employment opportunities with numerous archaeology and environmental consulting firms as well as government agencies.
The diploma program is ideally suited for students interested in entry-level positions that largely involve field work in remote areas under physically demanding conditions. This career can involve survey and excavation, artifact processing and analysis, and report preparation.
Using this Diploma program as a stepping stone to completion of a bachelor’s degree, students can obtain employment in upper-level positions. A degree in Anthropology or Archaeology in combination with field experience offers graduates the opportunity to become Field Directors or Senior Archaeologists.
The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Information and Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council, effective September 2025PDFnew window. (Download a PDF of the current Program Completion GuidePDFnew window)
Career Prospects
- Archaeology consulting companies
- Environmental consulting companies
- Federal government agencies
- Provincial government agencies
- First Nation band offices
- Museums
Details
Intakes
No intakes are scheduled at this time.
Length
60 credits (945 hours), minimum.
This is a two year program taken over four semesters with minimum of 15 credits per semester. Part-time studies will take longer. Students in this program select course loads and course schedules that fit their needs and course availability. Registration is completed semester-by-semester.
Estimated Program Fees
Program fee type: Academic
Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load.
Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional.
Domestic Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 3,653.03 | $ 152.76 | $ 52.87 | $ 3,858.66 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 3,726.09 | $ 155.83 | $ 105.75 | $ 3,987.67 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | International Medical Insurance | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 11,580.00 | $ 149.76 | $ 51.84 | $ 828.00 | $ 12,609.60 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 12,300.00 | $ 152.75 | $ 51.84 | $ 828.00 | $ 13,332.59 |
Still have questions?
Contact:
- info@nlc.bc.caemail if you are in Canada
- info@international.nlc.bc.caemail if you are outside of Canada
- academic-chair@nlc.bc.caemail if you are currently an NLC student
Admission Requirements
A. Domestic students and students from countries that practice Standard Written English (see Appendix APDFnew window) must have official transcripts demonstrating that they have met the English Requirements: One of the following with a “C” grade or higher: English 12 or English Literature 12 or English First Peoples 12, ENGL 050, or ENGL 099. Alternatively, any university-level English course with a “C” grade or higher. Students who do not meet one of the above English requirements must complete the NLC Writing Assessment for appropriate course placement.
B. International students who do not meet the requirement A. above, and domestic students who received their secondary education in French or another language, must show that they have met the NLC English requirement: see Appendix A (General Academic English Language Proficiency Requirements)PDFnew window
plus,
C. Math Requirement: One of the following with a ‘C’ grade (60%) or higher: Precalculus 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, Foundations of Math 11, MATH 040; or equivalent; alternatively, readiness for MATH 050 as determined by the CCP Math appraisal.
D. Science Requirement: A minimum of a single course from the areas as follows with a ‘C’ grade or higher: Biology 11 or 12, Chemistry 11, Geography 11, Geology 11, Physics 11, BIOL 040new window or BIOL 050new window, CHEM 040new window,, or PHYS 040new window. Alternatively, successful completion of the BEAHR program or equivalency.
Note that some course options have specific prerequisites. Meeting the program entrance requirements does not ensure course prerequisites have been met for all available courses.
Important Notes
- This program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit StudentAidBCnew windowto apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
- Student must provide personal equipment including hiking or safety boots, warm and waterproof clothing, clip board, and backpack. Depending on elective course, students may be required to obtain safety tickets or purchase additional personal equipment for practicum completion.
- Course transfer agreements allow students to receive course-by-course transfer to other colleges, universities, and institutes in BC, as indicated in the BC Transfer Guidenew window.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 50% of all coursework must be completed at Northern Lights College |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | 2.00 program Grade Point Average (GPA); D grade (50%) minimum in all courses |
| Additional Requirements | Students are required to complete this program within a 10 year period from their start date. |
Semester One
- All of:
- ANTH 101 – Cultural and Social Anthropology I (3.0 credits)
- CPSC 101 – Introduction to Computing (3.0 credits)
- ENGL 100 – Academic Writing (3.0 credits)
- HIST 103 – Canada, Pre-Confederation (3.0 credits)
- And one of:
- BIOL 125 – Basic Ecology (3.0 credits)
- BIOL 204 – Introduction to Ecology (3.0 credits)
Semester Two
- All of:
- ANTH 102 – Cultural and Social Anthropology II (3.0 credits)
- GEOG 112 – Physical Geography: Surface of the Earth (3.0 credits)
- LAND 241 – Petroleum Fundamentals (3.0 credits)
- LAND 245 – Inventory and Assessment Techniques (3.0 credits)
- And one of:
- ANTH 203 – Contemporary Canadian Native Peoples (3.0 credits)
- FNST 100 – Indigenous Peoples of Canada (3.0 credits)
- FNST 102 – Treaties and Aboriginal Rights (3.0 credits)
Semester Three
- All of:
- ARCH 200 – Introduction to Archaeology and World Prehistory (3.0 credits)
- GEOG 103 – The Regional Geography of Canada (3.0 credits)
- GEOG 250 – Cartography: Map and Airphoto Interpretation (3.0 credits)
- Two Archaeology Electives Minimum credits: 6.0
Semester Four
- All of:
- ARCH 230 – Introduction to Archaeological Heritage Management (3.0 credits)
- GEOG 260 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3.0 credits)
- HIST 210 – History of British Columbia (3.0 credits)
- One Archaeology Elective Minimum credits: 3.0
- And one of:
- POLI 100 – Politics and Government (3.0 credits)
- POLI 101 – The Government of Canada (3.0 credits)
Archaeology Electives
Elective options may vary from year to year; students should seek academic advice on elective selection based on career and educational goals.
Choose from:
- ANTH 202 – Ethnography of Canada’s First Nations Peoples (3.0 credits)new window
- ENGL 110 – Introduction to Workplace Communications (3.0 credits)new window
- FNST 102 – Treaties and Aboriginal Rights (3.0 credits)new window
- GEOG 114 – Physical Geography: Weather and Climate (3.0 credits)new window
- MATH 104 – Introduction to Statistics (3.0 credits)new window
- POLI 200 – Politics and Pipelines (3.0 credits)new window
- SOIL 117 – Introduction to Soil Science (3.0 credits)new window
- SOSC 220 – Research Methods for the Social Sciences (3.0 credits)new window
Or one of**:
- ANTH 203 – Contemporary Canadian Native Peoples (3.0 credits)new window
- FNST 100 – Indigenous Peoples of Canada (3.0 credits)new window
Or one of:
** Students are advised to take one of ANTH 203 or FNST 100, not both.
Credential
Diploma in Archaeology