The department trains specialists in a three–stage model (bachelor, Master, doctor) in educational programs 6B02210 - Archeology; 7M02219 - Archeology; 8D02210 - Archeology; 6B02211 - Ethnology and Anthropology; 7M02220 - Ethnology and Anthropology; 8D02211 - Ethnology and Anthropology; 6B02206 - Museum and Monument Protection; 7M02212-Museum and Conservation monuments; 8D02207 - Museum business and monument protection. When developing and adjusting the curriculum, the experience of the world's leading higher educational institutions that train specialists in the field of archaeology, ethnology and anthropology, museology is involved.

In 1971, on the initiative of the Rector of S.M. Kirov Kazakh State University U.A. Dzholdasbekov, the Department of Archeology and Ethnology was opened for the first time in Kazakhstan at the Historical Faculty of the University, which today is a recognized center in the Republic and abroad for the training of highly qualified personnel - archaeologists, ethnologists and museologists.

In different years, outstanding Kazakhstani scientists have lectured at the department – Academician A.H. Margulan, Candidate of I.N. H.A. Alpysbayev, Candidate of I.N., S.M. Akhinzhanov, prof. H.A. Argynbayev, prof. K.A. Akishev, corresponding member. NAS RK O.I. Ismagulov, Prof. K.M. Baypakov, D.I.N. S.E. Azhigali, Ph.D. Z.S. Samashev, as well as professors from Russia M.P. Gryaznov, Prof. S.S. Chernikov, Yu.A. Zadneprovsky, Prof. Claudia Chang (USA).

The leading professors of the department – Z.S. Samashev, A.T. Toleubaev, A.B. Kalysh, M.E. Eleuov, B.K. Kalshabaeva, T.E. Kartaeva – are recognized specialists in the country and abroad who deal with the problems of studying and preserving material and spiritual heritage.

In 2019, Professor A.T. Toleubaev and Professor Z.Samashev made a presentation about the Saka mounds at Lomonosov Moscow State University.

In 2021, professors of the Department Z.S. Samashev and Professor A.T. Toleubaev gave a guest lecture on the archaeology of Kazakhstan of the early Iron Age at the legendary Royal College of Cambridge University. The lecture was held as part of the exhibition "The Gold of the Great Steppe", held at the Fitzwilliam Museum at Cambridge University, and was organized by the Silk Roads Program of the Royal College of Cambridge University. The unique exhibition, called an "international sensation" by the British media and included in the six best exhibitions in the world according to the Apollo magazine, stayed in the UK for four months. Despite quarantine restrictions in the country, about 25 thousand people visited the exhibition dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The exhibition featured hundreds of unique gold artifacts dating from the VIII-III centuries BC from three burial complexes in the East Kazakhstan region: Berel, Shilikty and Eleke Sazy. The exhibits allowed visitors to learn about the life, history and heritage of the Saks, as well as explore the points of contact of ancient nomads with modern Kazakh culture.

Cooperation is being carried out with potential employers: contracts have been concluded on the provision of practice bases with the A. Margulan Institute of Archaeology, the Sh. Ualikhanov Institute of History and Ethnology, the Center of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the A. Kasteev State Museum of Arts, the Almaty City Museum Association, the Issyk State Historical and Cultural Reserve-Museum, The State Historical and Cultural Reserve-Museum "Tamgaly".

The Department attracts employers to give lectures (A. Margulan Institute of Archaeology, Sh. Valikhanov Institute of History and Ethnology, Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, A.Kasteev State Museum of Arts, Issyk State Historical and Cultural Reserve Museum) with a load of at least 5 credits and well-known foreign scientists, such as Sadakatsu Kunitake, Professor, - NARA, Japan; Claudia Chang, Ph.D., Professor - Sweet Briar College. Virginia (USA); Ozhal Oguz, Academician – Head of the Department of Folk Knowledge of the Ankara University Hadji Bayram Veli, Chairman of UNESCO on the Material Culture of Turkey (Turkey, Ankara); Kaori Imamura, PhD Professor - Gakuin University Nogaya; Egor Kitov – Ph.D., Associate Professor, Naumova O.B. – Ph.D., Associate Professor (Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology named after. N.N. Miklukho-Maklaya RAS, Moscow), etc.