2026 SHPO Field School
The Utah State Historic Preservation Office (UTSHPO) is pleased to announce our third annual Field School—a paid, intensive eight-week internship (May 26 – July 17, 2026) designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and professional Cultural Resource Management (CRM).
A Comprehensive Approach
Unlike traditional research-focused programs, this field school is a professional immersion. Under the guidance of RPA-certified archaeologists, three selected students will function as a professional field crew, mastering the entire project lifecycle—from initial survey to final report submission.
Our 2026 projects include:
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High-Altitude Survey: Inventorying previously unsurveyed upland cliff sides in Box Elder County.
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Specialized Recording: Documenting prehistoric rock imagery at Fremont Indian State Park using RTI and digital assessment tools.
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Historic Excavation: Stratigraphic testing of an 1870s historic road corridor in the Alta mining town.
The "Work-Ready" Advantage
We operate on a 1:1 Field-to-Office cadence. Every week in the dirt is matched by a week in the office or lab. Students will not just find artifacts; they will learn how to:
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Navigate the SEGO database and draft official UASF site forms.
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Use ArcGIS Pro to create professional-grade project maps.
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Process and catalog historic and prehistoric materials in the SHPO lab.
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Network with guest lecturers from the BLM, USFS, and private CRM firms.
Program Details & Compensation
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Schedule: 40 hours/week, Monday–Friday.
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Pay: $18.00 per hour.
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Structure: Alternating weeks of remote camping and Millcreek-based office work.
Application Timeline
Selection is competitive. We prioritize upper-level students committed to pursuing a career in Utah archaeology.
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Deadline: March 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
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Notification: Applicants will be notified of their status by March 28, 2026.
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to training the next generation of Utah’s archaeological workforce. Onward to the application!