Program Overview

Anthropology - Master of Arts

The Anthropology M.A. program is designed for students who are interested in the traditional sub-disciplines of anthropology, as well as such related fields as cultural resource management, food studies, medical anthropology, and museum studies. The program is directed to both students planning to complete a professional M.A. degree and students planning to enter a Ph.D. program.

Program Outcomes:

• Develop and execute a problem-oriented anthropological study using appropriate theoretical and methodological perspectives in at least one sub-field of anthropology.
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills in professional settings.
• Demonstrate professional engagement with peers, faculty, staff, researchers, and other professionals in anthropology.

Admission Requirements:

• Graduate School application form and fees
• Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, with a 3.0 GPA minimum.
• A letter from the candidate addressing his or her interests and graduate school objectives
• Letters of recommendation from three persons familiar with the candidate's academic record

Program Requirements:

Students selecting the thesis option must complete 33 hours of basic course work, plus 6 hours of thesis credit. Students selecting the non-thesis option must complete 39 hours of course work including an internship or special research project for 6 credits.

Course List:

A Suggested Plan of Study:

The Roadmap for the Master of Arts in Anthropology assumes each student will create a customized plan and selection of topical/methodological courses in consultation with their graduate faculty committee.

Non-Curricular Requirements and Expectations:

• Form graduate committee, consisting of two faculty members from the Department of Anthropology and one external faculty member outside the department.
• Clarify your academic and professional goals and align curricular path with MA Anthropology to achieve program outcomes.
• Formulate topic with graduate committee chair for thesis or non-thesis internship/research project.
• Discuss whether specific graduate minors or the graduate certificates in cultural resource management or museum studies will enhance career development.

MAP Requirements:

• Undergraduate students must be juniors or seniors and have completed 60 credit hours of coursework towards an undergraduate degree.
• If the student intends to apply for the MA in Anthropology, completion of the undergraduate core courses, ANTH 301 Cultural Anthropology, ANTH 315 Introduction to Archaeology, ANTH 355 Biological Anthropology, and ANTH 350 Anthropological Theory is strongly preferred.
• Preferred 3.5 GPA or above.
• Undergraduate students must have an assigned faculty advisor within the Department of Anthropology and must meet with their advisor at least once per semester before registration.

Additional Program Guidelines:

• Faculty can invite eligible students to consider taking graduate-level coursework.
• Students can also ask faculty for permission to take a graduate class.
• In all cases, students should speak with their advisors to make sure that the chosen classes are suitable for their planned program of study.

Accepted MAP Courses: