The "Egyptology phase" is almost as ubiquitous among bright young kids as the "dinosaur phase", and small wonder - the mention of ancient Egypt conjures up images of spectacular golden treasures, towering monuments, ghastly mummies and rugged adventurers. The field of Egyptology, by association, is seen as glamorous, or even outlandish. Some people never grow out of their Egyptology phase - the fascination refuses to let go. Others fall in love later in life, sometimes after spending years building a completely unrelated career. However, of the many people who are fascinated by ancient Egypt, few seriously consider pursuing it as a career. Those who do are often daunted by the field's romantic (and impractical) image, or simply have no idea how to get started. The truth of the matter is that becoming an Egyptologist is difficult . . . but far from impossible.

The Basics:

The bottom line is that if you want to be a career Egyptologist, you have to go to grad school. Most Egyptology jobs require a PhD. That means making a major investment of time, energy, and often money. However, if Egyptology is what you love, then it's all worth it.

Most people equate Egyptology with archaeology. In fact, the analysis of archaeological data is only one of several ways in which scholars approach the study of ancient Egypt. Many Egyptologists choose to focus instead on evidence from literary and artistic sources. Although modern Egyptologists recognize the need to combine these approaches, most Egyptology programs still promote specific "tracks" of study that focus on either Egyptian archaeology, Egyptian language and literature, or art history. Before you decide to embark on an Egyptology career, it's a good idea to figure out which of these approaches fits best with your interests, skills and personality.

Before Grad School:

Many people who are interested in going to graduate school for Egyptology become discouraged because they are not able to take Egyptology classes at the undergraduate level. Never fear - most graduate programs in Egyptology operate under the assumption that incoming students have little or no Egyptological background. It does help if you major in a related field as an undergraduate (for example, classics, history or anthropology), but that's not absolutely necessary. Many programs accept promising students from a wide variety of backgrounds, even those outside the humanities - fresh, outside perspectives are always welcome.

One of the best things you can do to prepare for entering a graduate program in Egyptology is to learn German and French. Much of the most important scholarly literature in the field is written in these two languages, and most Egyptology programs will require you to pass reading tests in one or both. While many programs will allow you to pick up French and German within the first year or two of the program, it is far better to get this out of the way ahead of time. First, it will give you an edge when you apply to schools, and second, it will make your life much easier once you get into a program. You don't want to be worrying about learning two modern languages on top of your regular coursework during your critical first two years in grad school.

It's also a good idea, if possible, to take an ancient or literary language, especially something with a non-Latin script (for example, ancient Greek or classical Arabic), before entering graduate school. Most schools don't offer undergraduate courses in ancient Egyptian language, but any previous experience dealing with ancient languages and unfamiliar scripts is valuable. Finally, read up on your own about ancient Egypt and try to get a feel for what your specific interests are. Don't worry about figuring out exactly what you want to study - nothing is set in stone at this point - but it does help to have a general idea. This will help you pick out the program (and advisor!) that is best for you.

Applying for Grad School:

No doubt the first thing on your mind, if you are interested in going to grad school, is the cost. This isn't as daunting as it seems. Most programs will at least cover the cost of tuition for their students (albeit sometimes after a "probation" period of one or two years), and many also offer an additional stipend or teaching assistantship. A lot of graduate programs simply will not accept a student unless they are prepared to fund that student's education. In other words, you have a good chance of getting paid (although not a whole lot) to study Egyptology! Even if you don't get funding right away, there are student loans available to cover the first year or two. As painful as the prospect of borrowing that much money may be, just remember that you don't have to worry about paying it off until you finish school.

Once you are ready to begin applying for graduate programs, the first thing to do is find schools with good Egyptology programs. The Theban Mapping Project website has an excellent list of schools with programs in Egyptology and Near Eastern studies (see links section). Take a look at the program web pages and try to find programs that fit your specific interests. Some programs focus more on language and literature, while others focus more on archaeology, history or art.

While scoping out potential programs, get familiar with the faculty and their work. Once you are in a program, you will select (or be assigned to) and faculty advisor whose training and specialization are best suited to your interests, so keep this in mind when you are choosing your schools. Mention any interest you might have in working with specific a faculty member when you apply.

Apply to lots of schools. This is important - the more schools you apply to, the better your chances of getting into a program. Do not be put off by a particular school's or program's reputation for toughness or high standards! Even if you think you don't have a chance of getting into a particular program, apply anyway. Chances are, lots of other potential applicants have already been scared off, and you won't have as much competition as you think. Apply with confidence to your ideal programs as well as your "safety net" programs.

Every program has different requirements, but all will ask for letters of recommendation from faculty that you have worked with as an undergraduate. Most programs want at least three letters. Try to get letters from faculty who are familiar with your research and writing skills. Some programs ask for a writing sample. Most of the time this will be something along the lines of a 15-20 page term paper (preferably something that you got a good grade on in a class, although you should submit a fresh, polished and edited copy, not something with red ink all over it).

Take the GRE as soon as you can. Most programs require it, although some place a lot more value on your actual score than others. It's a massive pain in the butt, but it has to be done. Just give it your best shot and get it out of the way.

You will almost certainly be asked for a cover letter or statement of purpose. These should typically be about two to three pages long, double spaced. Be clear, concise, and to the point. State simply what program you are applying for, what your specific interests are, who you would like to work with, what your previous background is, and what you want to do with your degree once you get it. Don't be afraid to brag - emphasize your strengths.

Finally, don't be afraid to try again. Even if you don't get into the program you wanted the first time, it may be because there were too many other strong applicants that year. Try again, and they may well remember you and find a spot for you the next time around.

What to Expect in Grad School:

Every program is different, of course, but there are a few constants you can expect. As I mentioned above, you will most likely have to take reading exams in French and German at some point early in the program. Most Egyptology graduate programs in the US have pretty heavy coursework requirements. If you are in a PhD or combined MA/PhD program, you're probably looking at another four years of classes on top of your undergraduate coursework.

MA programs typically require a thesis (these can be anywhere from 30 to 100-some pages in length, depending on the program), although some give you the option of taking exams instead of writing a thesis. PhD programs require you to take comprehensive exams (either written or oral) at the end of your coursework that will test your knowledge of your specific specialization within the field of Egyptology as well as your more general knowledge of Egyptology. After you pass your comps, you can expect to spend at least two more years working on your dissertation (a book-length research project on a specific topic), which you must then defend before a committee of faculty members.

Even if you decide to focus on Egyptian archaeology, you will probably have to learn at least one phase of the ancient Egyptian language. Like every language, Egyptian evolved during the time that it was in use. The grammar and vocabulary vary from one period to another, and several different scripts (hieroglyphic, hieratic, Demotic and Coptic) developed over time. You must be prepared to receive training in Middle Egyptian (considered to be the "classical" period of Egyptian language and literature) and the hieroglyphic script at the very least. In more language-oriented programs, you may be required to study all phases of the language and all the scripts, as well as a second ancient language.

If you are in a program that emphasizes archaeology, you will probably find yourself in a position to take advantage of fieldwork opportunities. Even if your department doesn't have a faculty member with a concession at a site in Egypt, someone in the department will probably be able to put you in touch with a dig that's looking for team members. It is also fairly easy to find grants and other funding sources to cover the expenses of going on a dig when you are in a graduate program.

Most graduate programs in Egyptology will encourage their students to teach, publish, and present their personal research at professional conferences and symposia while still in grad school. These are great ways to develop your ideas, network with peers and future colleagues, and build your resume before entering the world of professional Egyptology. What you do in graduate school will have a huge impact on your eventual career, so take advantage of any opportunities that come your way.

Now What?

The job options for someone with a graduate degree in Egyptology are limited, of course, but not as much as you might think. Most PhD Egyptologists are destined for academic positions as professors at teaching/research institutions. However, some find positions as curators or conservators at museums, while others work for specialized academic libraries. Some serve as staff on long-standing projects, such as the Oriental Institute's Epigraphic Survey, or as professional consultants.

The ongoing process of becoming an Egyptologist has been a challenging, exasperating, but deeply rewarding experience for me and many of my peers in the field. If Egyptology is your passion, then pursue it - it's worth the effort, and not as unattainable as it looks from the outside.