Program Overview

Master of Arts in Anthropology

The Master of Arts in Anthropology provides an opportunity for students to develop a strong theoretical foundation in the field of anthropology in either of our two graduate programs: Critical Interventions in Theory and Ethnography (CITE) or Evolutionary Anthropology (EA). M.A. students take most of the required courses for their program and participate as full members in the many other activities of the graduate program such as the Department Lecture Series, Wednesday Workshops, and Anthropology Graduate Student Association. Students who successfully complete the MA program may apply to the Ph.D. program but are not guaranteed admission.

Requirements

The program consists of 30 credits, which may be fulfilled in one of the following ways:

1. Completing 24 credits of course work (including required courses as per the chosen track), writing a six-credit thesis, and passing an oral exam on the thesis administered by the members of the student’s committee. Students opting for this track may not take more than one independent study in their 24 credits of coursework.
2. Completing 30 credits of course work (including required courses as per the chosen track) and passing a written comprehensive examination given and evaluated by members of the student's committee. Comprehensive exams consist of five or six questions, out of which the student is required to answer three within a three-hour period. Students opting for this track may not take more than two independent studies in their 30 credits of course work.

Advisors and Committees

M.A. committees must consist of the students’ advisor and at least two other faculty members (at least one of whom be from the Graduate Faculty in Anthropology). A student’s M.A. committee may include an outside faculty member, but this is not required.

Funding

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide funding support in the form of fellowships or teaching assistantships to terminal M.A. students. M.A. students may, however, apply for small amounts of funding from the department to support research, if they are conducting research for their thesis.

Application Procedures and Deadlines

Students who wish to be considered for the M.A. Program must apply by January 1st. Please review the Application Procedures for Graduate Program in Anthropology for further information.