COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Anthropology follows a well-defined academic and administrative structure that ensures students progress systematically while allowing flexibility for research interests across its four-field approach, beginning with admissions requirements that assess academic preparation and alignment with the program’s interdisciplinary focus, after which students complete curricular requirements that typically include foundational courses in areas such as Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology, and Sociocultural Anthropology along with specialized electives tailored to individual research goals, while transfer credit policies may allow relevant prior graduate coursework to count toward the degree with approval. The program may also offer an Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP), enabling qualified undergraduates to begin graduate coursework early, and as students advance, they are required to complete a comprehensive exam or capstone to demonstrate mastery of anthropological theory and methods. Students typically choose between Plan I (Thesis Option), which involves original research and a formal thesis suitable for those aiming for PhD study or research careers, and Plan II (Project Option), which emphasizes applied or practical work such as field-based projects, making it more suitable for professional pathways. The program enforces time limits for degree completion and student progress requirements to ensure consistent academic advancement, along with additional academic requirements that may include fieldwork, research proposals, or seminars depending on specialization. Institutional policies on academic misconduct, withdrawals, leave of absence, and academic grievances ensure fairness and academic integrity, while standards for grades and academic standing must be maintained throughout the program. Finally, students must adhere to graduate school deadlines and complete an application for graduation once all requirements are fulfilled, making the program both rigorous and adaptable for careers in research, academia, cultural resource management, and applied anthropology fields.