There are 13 total courses in the program, all of which have accompanying lists of suggested readings (Bibliography) and definitions of terms (Glossary) relevant to that subject.  Courses range from eight to 25 hours in length, and are taught in 13 locations throughout Colorado.  Each of the 13 courses apply toward the requirements of at least one PAAC certificate.  There is one course specifically developed for the Laboratory module, a prerequisite to certification as a Laboratory Trainee and Laboratory Technician.  One other course (Rock Art Studies) applies toward one of the options for certification as a Specialty Surveyor.  All 13 courses must be passed to earn the Scholar certificate; two of those classes are specific to the requirements in this area.  Nine courses--three at each level of certification--are applicable to the requirements for earning up to three certificates in the Surveyor module.

Archaeological Practice in Colorado (8 or 12 hrs)

Basic summary of the field of archaeology, common terminology, and Colorado's place in North American prehistory.  Also describes the PAAC program in detail, and the functions of the Colorado Archaeological Society (CAS) including interactions with the Office of the State Archaeologist of Colorado.  State & federal laws protecting archaeological resources and codes-of-ethics also are covered.

Basic Site Surveying Techniques (25 hrs)

History of archaeological survey, site identification, formation processes, survey methods, recording procedures, basic equipment usage, reading USGS topographic maps, goals and problems of archaeological survey. A field trip to identify and record a site. Curation of archaeological remains and necessity for final reports.

Colorado Archaeology (20 hrs)

Covers the major periods and cultures of Colorado's prehistory, concluding with a brief summary of historic period American Indian groups in Colorado.

Historical Archaeology (20 hrs)

Importance of historical archaeology, types of sites, sources of historical information, key historic artifacts, Colorado history vs. archaeology.

Prehistoric Lithic Description and Analysis (20 hrs)

Stone tool technology, methods of manufacture, morphological/functional analyses, and common tool classes in Colorado.

Prehistoric Ceramic Description and Analysis (20 hrs)

Ceramic technology, methods of manufacture, physical/stylistic analyses, and basic Colorado ceramic characteristics.

Perishable Materials (20 hrs)

Value of perishable materials, information on preservation, varieties of materials, tool classes.

Research Design and Report Writing (15 hrs)

Importance of archaeological research designs and reports, essential elements of research design, and guidelines for archaeological reports.

Archaeological Dating Methods (15 hrs)

Relative and absolute dating techniques, sample collection, preservation and care of datable material.

Field and Laboratory Photography (15 hrs)

Equipment and methods of archaeological photography, both in the course of fieldwork and in controlled lab situations.

Principles of Archaeological Excavation (20 hrs)

Covers the history of excavation in archaeology, developments in excavation techniques, importance of planning and research designs, field procedures, recording & documentation, lab duties and report writing responsibilities.  A classroom experience, this course does not involve actual field training.

Archaeological Laboratory Techniques (15 hrs)

Overview of the purpose of an archaeological laboratory and the processing sequence for artifacts and other collected materials through a laboratory including receiving, sorting, routing, cleaning, cataloguing, conservation, analysis, reporting and storage. Class Outline. Bibliography & Glossary.

Rock Art Studies (20 hrs)

History of Colorado research, terminology, recording and conservation methods, ethics, interpretive approaches, dating methods and overview of styles found in Colorado.