Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology Track, M.A.

Admission

Candidates for admission to the M.A. program must hold either (1) a Bachelor’s degree in anthropology or archaeology; or (2) a Bachelor’s degree in another subject with significant course work in anthropology or another social science. Candidates without this background may apply to receive conditional admission to the M.A. program. Applicants for admission should have a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Applicants with GPAs lower than 3.0 may be admitted on probation at the discretion of the faculty. Applicants must submit scores from the General test of the Graduate Record Examination. Students may be admitted to study for the M.A. degree alone.

General Requirements

For M.A. students who write theses, the program entails 30 credit hours, including six hours of thesis work. The non-thesis option entails 36 hours of coursework. Candidates who select this option must complete the specified 24 hours of coursework plus an additional 12 credit hours of classes selected in consultation with the graduate advisor.

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.

Students focus on one of two tracks: archaeology and cultural anthropology.

Cultural Anthropology Track

Thirty credit hours are required (including 6 credit hours of thesis) 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 for non-thesis option; no more than 15 of these hours may be taken at the 6000 level.