Program Overview

Anthropology, MS

The Department of Anthropology offers programs of graduate study designed to provide a broad background in all significant facets of the discipline—biological as well as cultural, analytic as well as descriptive—while still encouraging specialization. It provides training both for students interested in an academic career in anthropology and for those concerned with practical issues approached from the integrative perspective of anthropology.

Overview

The department, in cooperation with the Milwaukee Public Museum, also offers a program leading to a Certificate in Museum Studies. The Milwaukee Public Museum, the fourth largest natural history museum in the country, is the site for methods courses that provide the student practical experience in museum work and for courses in the history and theory of museum exhibits. Each student's program of studies includes training in anthropological theory and methods, issues and problems in cultural anthropology, archaeology, anthropological linguistics and physical anthropology, as well as topics that focus on the student's area of particular interest.

Admission Requirements

• An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus these departmental requirements to be considered for admission to the program:
  • An undergraduate major in anthropology comparable to that at UWM.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • A writing sample such as a relevant term paper, article submission, etc.
  • Submission of scores from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination.
• Applicants without an undergraduate major in anthropology can meet the first requirement in either of two ways:
  • By having completed junior-level courses in three of the four subfields of anthropology (archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, or linguistics) with grades of B or better.
  • Applicants lacking courses in anthropology may be admitted to the program and be allowed to take the core classes and advanced seminars without deficiencies under certain conditions.

Credits and Courses

Students in the Master's degree program in Anthropology are required to take a minimum of 30 credits, 15 of which must be obtained in courses numbered 700 or above. Required courses differ by concentration.

Archaeology Concentration

• Core:
  • ANTHRO 801: A Survey of Physical Anthropology (3 credits)
  • ANTHRO 802: Perspectives on Prehistory (3 credits)
  • ANTHRO 803: Survey of Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)
• Methods:
  • ANTHRO 568: Introduction to Anthropological Statistics (3 credits)
  • Select one of the following:
    • ANTHRO 380: Anthropological Applications of GIS
    • ANTHRO 501: Archaeology of Death
    • ANTHRO 525: Zooarchaeology: Analysis of Faunal Remains
    • ANTHRO 535: Analysis of Archaeological Ceramics
    • ANTHRO 562: Techniques and Problems in Archaeology
    • ANTHRO 566: Archaeological Analysis and Report Preparation
    • ANTHRO 567: Archaeological Field School
    • ANTHRO 768: Topics in Advanced Research Design in Anthropology
• Advanced Seminar:
  • ANTHRO 763: Professionalism in Anthropology (3 credits)
• Electives:
  • Select 12 credits

Biological Anthropology Concentration

• Core:
  • ANTHRO 801: A Survey of Physical Anthropology (3 credits)
  • ANTHRO 802: Perspectives on Prehistory (3 credits)
  • ANTHRO 803: Survey of Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)
• Methods:
  • ANTHRO 568: Introduction to Anthropological Statistics (3 credits)
  • Course approved by the advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies (3 credits)
• Advanced Seminar:
  • Course approved by the advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies (3 credits)
• Electives:
  • Select 12 credits

Cultural Anthropology Concentration

• Core:
  • ANTHRO 801: A Survey of Physical Anthropology (3 credits)
  • ANTHRO 802: Perspectives on Prehistory (3 credits)
  • ANTHRO 803: Survey of Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)
• Methods:
  • Select two of the following:
    • ANTHRO 560: Introduction to Research Methods in Anthropology
    • ANTHRO 561: Techniques and Problems in Ethnography
    • ANTHRO 568: Introduction to Anthropological Statistics
• Advanced Seminar:
  • ANTHRO 940: Seminar in Problems in Cultural Anthropology (3 credits)
• Electives:
  • Select 12 credits

Anthropology MS with Museum Studies Certificate

Students completing any of the three above concentrations can also earn the Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies. The student must select methods, advanced seminar, and electives courses appropriate to their concentration in consultation with their adviser. 21 credits are required for the Anthropology, MS, and 18 credits must be completed for the Certificate program, for a total of 39 credits.

Additional Requirements

• Major Professor as Advisor: The student must have a major professor to advise and supervise the student's studies as specified in Graduate School regulations.
• Thesis Defense: The student must pass an oral thesis defense. The examination committee must consist of at least three individuals, with a majority being members of the Anthropology Department.
• Time Limit: The student must complete all degree requirements within five years of initial enrollment.

Accelerated Program Option

This program is offered as part of an accelerated bachelor's/master's program.

Accreditation

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.