The ARF Field School

Location: Archaeological Research Facility, College Avenue, Berkeley, CA, USA

Season: May 26, 2026 to July 3, 2026

Application Deadline: January 31, 2026

Deadline Type: Exact Date

Website: https://arf.berkeley.edu/field-school

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
University of California Berkeley

Project Director:
Karla Saracay and Milly McKenzie

Project Description:

The Summer 2026 Archaeological Research Facility (ARF) Field School will take place May 26 – July 2, 2026 as part of UC Berkeley Summer Session A. Summer school registration is included and participants will receive a stipend.

The ARF Field School provides a local, commuter archaeological field school for students residing in the Bay Area who are interested in pursuing archaeological careers and therefore need archaeological field training, but who have financial restrictions, family commitments, or other restrictions that prevent them from traveling to a field school outside of the SF Bay Area.

The six-week program that requires full-time participation, Monday – Friday from 9am – 5pm. The program will take place at the Archaeological Research Facility (ARF, on the UC Berkeley campus) and at our field site, the Peralta Hacienda Historical Park (near the Fruitvale BART station). The program will provide participants with training in archaeological equipment, survey, excavation, and analysis of archaeological artifacts and ecofacts. Approximately half the time will be spent in lectures and laboratory work and half at the field site.

Participants will receive a stipend of $3000 for the six week program and one unit of UC Berkeley course credit (participants may opt for more credits at their own expense). Participants are expected to arrange their own lunch and snacks, as well as transportation daily (both to UC Berkeley and the field site). Parking at UC Berkeley is extremely challenging, so public transportation is encouraged. The program is open to upper division undergraduate students (entering 3rd and 4th year) from any institution within commuting distance to UC Berkeley as well as to recent graduates (Bachelor’s degree within 3 years).

PLEASE NOTE that this application requires you to upload a CV or a university transcript and the names and email addresses of two people who could provide a letter of reference for you. (Note: You do not need to ask referees to submit a letter at this time.)

Please contact the program associate, Sarah Kansa, if you have questions about this program: arf-programs@berkeley.edu

Period(s) of Occupation: 20th century

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 6 weeks

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: No experience is required, but applicants should demonstrate a need for local training, such as financial restrictions, family commitments, or other restrictions that prevent them from traveling to a field school outside of the SF Bay Area. The program is open to upper division undergraduate students (entering 3rd and 4th year) from any institution within commuting distance to UC Berkeley as well as to recent graduates (Bachelor's degree within 3 years).

Room and Board Arrangements:
No. This is a local field school for participants who live within daily commuting distance to UC Berkeley.

Academic Credit:
UC Berkeley Summer Session A, 1 unit included (participants may opt to pay for additional units)