Archaeology (with Thesis)

Master's Degree - Instıtute Of Socıal Scıences


General Information

The Master’s Program commenced its academic activities in 2005. The Department of Archaeology offers a two-year Master of Arts (MA) program with a thesis, conducted in Turkish. The program comprises a minimum of 120 ECTS credits in total, consisting of at least eight courses—including a seminar—provided that one academic year (sum of fall and spring semesters) is no less than 60 ECTS credits, followed by the thesis work. In addition to their pedagogical responsibilities, the faculty members conduct excavations and surface surveys across various regions of Turkey and participate in national and international projects. The faculty leads the excavations at Tatarlı Höyük (Adana) and Çakmaktepe (Şanlıurfa), while actively contributing to excavations at Kültepe-Kaniş (Kayseri), Küllüoba (Eskişehir), İkiztepe (Samsun), Çaltılar Höyük (Muğla), Ovaören (Nevşehir), Sayburç (Şanlıurfa), İnhisar-Gedikkaya Cave, and Tepebağ Höyük (Adana). Furthermore, the department’s faculty members conducted the Adana and Kayseri Provinces Surface Survey (2002–2006), the Bileç Höyük (Kayseri) rescue excavation (2007), and the dam rescue excavations at Kuriki Höyük (Batman) and Tilbaşar Höyük (Gaziantep), which were completed in 2016 and 2018, respectively, as well as the excavations at Anavarza (Adana).

Length of Programme & Number of Credits

2 Year - 120 ECTS

Feature & Definition

The Master's Program in Archaeology is an academic program providing theoretical and practical education at an expert level, covering the period from the Prehistoric age to the end of the Iron Age in Anatolia and its surrounding cultural regions, such as Mesopotamia and the Aegean. The program aims to provide students with the competence to lead the processes of collecting, synthesizing, and transforming archaeological data into publications through scientific methods.

Mode of Study

Full Time

Head of Department

Doç. Dr. ELİF GENÇ

ECTS / Course Catalog Coordinator

Doç. Dr. ELİF GENÇ

Erasmus Coordinator

Arş.Gör. Dr. İlkay AKLAN

Internship Coordinator

Doç. Dr. KAZIM SERDAR GİRGİNER

Orientation Staff

Prof. Dr. RUKİYE AKDOĞAN

Goals

Centering on the Kizzuwatna (Chukurova) region, which has been continuously inhabited since the second millennium BCE, the program examines the relations of this region with surrounding cultures such as Syria-Palestine, Mesopotamia, and Cyprus at an expert level from the Prehistoric period to the end of the Iron Age. The primary objective of the program is to train researchers who apply modern research strategies and ethical principles at the highest level in the collection and synthesis of archaeological data, and who can transform interdisciplinary data (archaeometry, typology, etc.) into innovative solutions. Our graduates, equipped with their acquired expertise and advanced proficiency in the use of information technology, take responsibility for increasing social awareness by assuming leadership roles both in international academic platforms and in professional fields such as cultural heritage management.

Objectives

The objective of the Department of Archaeology is to train professionally equipped archaeologists who meet the national requirements, possess the capability to unearth cultural assets through scientific methods, and hold the expertise required for the conservation and exhibition of artifacts in accordance with scientific standards.

Specific Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to hold a Bachelor's degree in Archaeology (including the Departments of Prehistory, Protohistory and Near Eastern Archaeology, and Classical Archaeology), History, Art History, or Ancient Languages and Cultures.

Qualification Awarded

Students who successfully complete the program are awarded a Master's degree.

Level of Qualification

Master's

Qualification Requirements of Graduation

Upon successful completion of the program, the student is awarded a Master's degree. The graduation requirements of our department are implemented in accordance with the graduation criteria set forth in the Çukurova University Graduate Education and Training Regulations. For detailed information regarding this matter, the following link is provided. https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat?MevzuatNo=39048&MevzuatTur=8&MevzuatTertip=5

Access to Further Studies

There is not yet a PhD program in the Department of Archaeology).

Internship

There is no internship course.

Applied Course

There are no practical courses.

Work Placement

There is no workplace training.

Double Major, Additional Major & Exchange Possibilities

Students of the program can benefit from Erasmus and Mevlana Exchange Program.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the Master’s Program in the Department of Archaeology are qualified to serve as archaeologists within universities, the General Directorate of Cultural Assets and Museums under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Regional Boards for the Conservation of Cultural Assets, state and private museums, and municipal units (KUDEB). Furthermore, they may be employed across various other sectors within the tourism industry.
Update Time: 24.04.2026 03:52