Master of Arts

Anthropology

Prepare for a Professional Career with Insight from Human History

Explore the deep history of what it means to be human and discover how it can inform the decisions we make today. Study cultures, health, language and religion while developing solid analytical, communication and problem-solving skills. You will be equipped for careers in areas such as market research, community development, social work, public relations and higher education with a master’s in anthropology from the University at Albany.

Conduct research with active faculty mentors in areas like Mesoamerica, Northeastern archaeology, the relationship of human biology and health to the environment, and the politics of ancient societies. You will gain vast exposure to these different disciplines to prepare you to take on cultural challenges that impact the future of societal norms.

Program of Study
Program Sequences
Research
Career Outcomes
Anthropology Home

Program of Study

Through coursework and research you will study four subdisciplines of anthropology:

Archaeology: Explore ancient cultures and learn techniques to analyze their material remains such as tools, paintings and religious artifacts to interpret their values and way of life.

Biological Anthropology: Examine the evolution of the brain and nervous system to understand human nature, health, mortality and reproductive behavior.

Linguistics: Investigate the nature of relationships shared between language and culture.

Cultural Anthropology: Focus on contemporary issues such as economics, politics, religion and art through interviews and observation to create in-depth ethnographies.

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact Jennifer Burrell at [email protected].

Diverse group of professionals in a meeting

General Sequence (30 credits minimum)

Anthropology (24 credits minimum)

Proseminar in Physical Anthropology
Proseminar in Archaeology
Proseminar in Linguistics
Proseminar in Ethnology
One course as advised from two of the subdisciplines

Proficiency in any subdiscipline may be demonstrated through departmental examination, and specific course requirements may be waived. This does not alter the minimum 24 credits requirement.

Research Requirement

Satisfactory completion of a research seminar and approval of a research project paper or a master's thesis.

Supporting Courses (0-6 credits)

Selected courses in related disciplines as advised.

Cognate Field Sequence (30 credits minimum)

Anthropology (18 credits minimum)

Courses as required and/or advised in two of the four subdisciplines

Proficiency in any subdiscipline may be demonstrated through departmental examination, and specific course requirements may be waived. This does not alter the minimum 18 credits requirement.

Research Requirement

Satisfactory completion of a research seminar and approval of a research project paper or a master's thesis.

Cognate Field (8 credits, minimum)

Courses as advised in a cognate field such as historical archaeology, ethnomedicine, and primitive art. A cognate field must be defined in writing by the student and approved by the Department of Anthropology prior to admission.

Subdisciplines

Archaeology

Seminar in Social Archaeology
Mesoamerican Archaeology
Seminar in Mesoamerican Writing Systems
Archaeological Surveys
Northeast Archaeology
Museum Research and Curation
Topics in Archaeology
Seminar in Archaeology
Seminar in Archaeological Theory and Method
Archaeological Research Design
Seminar in Mesoamerican Archaeology
Topics in Archaeology and Ethnohistory
Zooarchaeology
The Neolithic of the Near East and the Emergence of Complex Society

Biological Anthropology

Human Osteology
Human Population Biology
Human Population Genetics
Functional Anatomy of the Human Skeleton
Forensic Anthropology
Nutritional Anthropology
Basic Principles and Methods of Epidemiology
Principles and Methods of Epidemiology II
Culture, Environment and Health
Topics in Biological Anthropology
Seminar in Physical Anthropology
Topics in Biomedical Anthropology

Cultural Anthropology

Topics in Social Anthropology
Seminar in Anthropology and Folklore
Seminar in Mesoamerican Ethnology
Seminar in Native Mesoamerican Texts and Literature
Seminar in Political Anthropology
Seminar in Economic Anthropology
Seminar in Cross-Cultural Comparison
Seminar in Urban Anthropology
Seminar in the Ethnology of Religion
Seminar in Ethnohistory
Seminar in Ecological Anthropology
Seminar in Ethnology

Linguistics

Introduction to Syntactic Theory
Linguistic Structures
Language and Culture
Comparative and Historical Linguistics
Language Acquisition
Topics in Anthropological Linguistics
Mesoamerican Linguistics
Field Methods in Anthropological Linguistics
Seminar in Linguistics
Archaeological Field and Laboratory Techniques

Research

You will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful research with faculty on projects in the U.S. and abroad including student fieldwork in Mesoamerica and summer archaeological field schools in the Northeast. You can also study the interactions between local societies and the global economy, the evolution of past societies, and the relationship of human health to the environment.

Career Outcomes

With a master’s degree in anthropology you will be prepared to take the next step in your career in public and private settings or continue your studies for a PhD or professional school. Possible career pathways include:

Archeologist
Community development
Market research
Museum curator
Social work
Institutional research
Public relations
Human resources
Behavior analyst

Two professionals reviewing a data report

Admissions Requirements

Deadlines

Departmental Assistantship Consideration

Fall: January 15
Spring: September 1
Summer: Not Available

No Departmental Assistantship Consideration

Fall: Rolling
Spring: November 1
Summer: Not Available

Required Application Materials

Transcripts from all schools attended
Three letters of recommendation
Official GRE score
Statement of goals
Writing Sample

Available information for International Applicants

Special Notes

This program offers an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience in the course listing as an option to fulfill course requirements. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

Student Learning Objectives

Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Master of Arts

Evaluate and conduct new anthropological research.
Understand anthropology as an interdisciplinary field including archaeology, biology, cultural anthropology and linguistics and the integration into a holistic discipline.

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