Ph.D. in Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
Earn a terminal degree that will give you the necessary experience and credentials to practice archaeology in the field or teach at the highest levels of academia through Lipscomb University’s Ph.D. program in Archaeology of the Ancient Near East.
Building on knowledge obtained at the undergraduate and graduate levels, the Ph.D. program will provide exposure to a broad range of topics through a series of six research seminars during your first two years in the program. Following this period of study, you will move into the dissertation research phase for the remainder of the program. To assist you in completing your research, you will have full access to the resources of the Lanier Center for Archaeology, including its collections, research projects, excavations and museums. When you graduate, you will earn your place among the best in the scholarly guild of archaeology.
Intakes
- Jan
- Aug
Application Processing Time in Days: 30
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
Lipscomb University is located in Nashville, Tennessee, a growing city with many job opportunities in business, healthcare, technology, and music. The university is well known for preparing students for jobs and future careers. It has a very high career success rate — almost 99% of graduates find jobs or go for higher studies soon after completing their degree.
The Career Development Center at Lipscomb helps students with CV/resume writing, interview practice, career counseling, and networking. They also connect students with more than 500 employers for internships and work opportunities. Many courses at Lipscomb include practical training such as internships, clinical experience, student teaching, and real-world projects, which makes students job-ready.
For international students, this means strong chances to build work experience during studies and after graduation. The university is based in Nashville, which is considered one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., giving students access to many industries and job openings.
Lipscomb is also recognized as a “Great College to Work For” because of its supportive environment, professional development opportunities, and positive culture. This shows that the university values its students and staff and works hard to provide good opportunities.
The university is Christian-based, so the environment is faith-oriented, but students from all backgrounds are welcome. For those who align with these values, it can be a motivating and meaningful place to study.
Overall, Lipscomb University offers strong job opportunity potential with excellent employer connections, career support, high graduate success, and the advantage of being in a vibrant city like Nashville. International students can benefit from hands-on learning, internships, and strong career guidance to achieve their future goals.
PSW Opportunity
Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.
Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).
STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.
Contact our PSA counselor for more information.
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
Individuals are considered an international student if they:
- Are not a U.S. citizen; or
- Do not have permanent resident status
- It is strongly recommended that international students submit their application at least three months prior to the desired date of entrance. In addition to meeting all Lipscomb University requirements for admission and submitting the program-specific application and required additional materials, below are additional items and information for international students.
International students are required to be proficient in written and oral English before enrolling. International students whose native language is not English must present the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) OR the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam OR Duolingo English Test with the application. Preferred TOEFL scores are in the 75th percentile rank (approximately 570 on the paper-based test, or 80 on the iBT). An IELTS exam with an overall band score of 6.5 is the minimum accepted for admittance. The minimum Duolingo score of 105 will also satisfy the English language proficiency requirement for admittance.
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Doctoral Degree/PhD
- Duration: 03 Year
-
Total Tuition Fee:
142560 USD
Average Cost of Living: 14000 USD /year
Application Fee: 50 USD

