Program Overview

---

Anthropology, M.A.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Explore archaeological research questions that make a significant scholarly contribution.
• Illustrate an area of archaeological research in a way that demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the literature.
• Examine, analyze, and interpret archaeological data, using appropriate analytic methods.
• Exemplify professional skills of written and spoken communication.

Admission

Candidates for admission to the Master of Arts (M.A.) program in anthropology must meet the requirements for admission to the Graduate School, including language proficiency. In addition, candidates must:

• Hold either (1) a bachelor’s degree in anthropology or archaeology, or (2) a bachelor’s degree in another subject with significant coursework in anthropology or another social science. Candidates without this background may apply to receive conditional admission to the M.A. program.
• Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Applicants with a GPA lower than 3.0 may be admitted on probation at the discretion of the faculty.
• Submit scores from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination unless a waiver is granted.

General Requirements

All M.A. students are expected to develop field research skills through participation in the department’s ongoing research programs. There is no formal language requirement for the M.A. degree. However, students will consult with their advisors regarding the development of pertinent linguistic or computer skills that may be necessary for their thesis research and analysis.

Curriculum

Thirty credit hours, including 6 credit hours of thesis, are required for the thesis option; no more than 12 of these hours may be taken at the 6000 level. Students pursuing this option are required to present a thesis proposal, approved by a faculty member, to the graduate advisor. Thirty-six credit hours are required for the non-thesis option; no more than 15 of these hours may be taken at the 6000 level. Students who select this option must complete the specified 24 hours of coursework plus an additional 12 credit hours of courses selected in consultation with the graduate advisor.

Core Courses (6 hours)

• ANTH 7103 Seminar in Archaeological Theory
• ANTH 7113 Anthropological Research Design and Professional Development

Methods Courses I (6 hours)

• Choose 2 courses from the following methods courses:
  • ANTH 7073 Cultural Resources Management
  • ANTH 7213 Analysis of Lithic Artifacts
  • ANTH 7243 Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction

Methods Courses II (3 hours)

• Choose 1 course from the following methods courses:
  • ANTH 6053 Archaeological Analysis
  • ANTH 6153 Faunal Analysis
  • ANTH 6243 Human Osteology
  • ANTH 6403 Qualitative Methods in Anthropological Research
  • ANTH 7073 Cultural Resources Management
  • ANTH 7213 Analysis of Lithic Artifacts
  • ANTH 7233 Quantitative Analysis in Anthropology
  • ANTH 7243 Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction
  • GEOL 6083 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Topical and Regional Courses (9 hours)

Selected from available 6000- and 7000-level courses.

Tutorials/Independent Research

Specialized training and information not provided in regularly scheduled courses. With consent of advisor, tutorials may be taken in lieu of topical and regional courses.

• ANTH 7991-3 Independent Research

Thesis (6 hours)

The thesis is expected to involve field and/or laboratory research.

• ANTH 7981-6 Research and Thesis

Non-Thesis (12 Hours)

If completing the non-thesis track, the student will take 12 additional credits from graduate level Anthropology courses and/or supporting graduate programs, rather than 6 hours of thesis.