Academic Programs Catalog

College of Social Science

Graduate Study

The Department of Anthropology offers programs of study leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

Graduate education in Anthropology at MSU is directed toward development of high achievement in scholarship among a new generation of anthropologists, including a commitment to research, public engagement, and the ethical practice of anthropology. The Department of Anthropology at MSU takes pride in the diversity of our own community of scholars, including our graduate students and faculty, and is committed to maintaining and supporting this diversity both in our department and in the profession. The department also emphasizes the importance of collaborative work with the people and communities whom we study, and the need to share our research with a variety of audiences.

Students who are enrolled in Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in the Department of Anthropology may elect College of Social Sciences specializations in Environmental Science and Policy; Gender, Justice and Environmental Change; Global Urban Studies, International Development; and other graduate specializations. Dual degree programs are also possible, including special programs for professional doctoral degrees.

Students who are enrolled in Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in the Department of Anthropology may elect specializations in Infancy and Early Childhood. For additional information, refer to the statement on Interdepartmental Graduate Specializations in Infancy and Early Childhood.


Anthropology - Master of Arts

Anthropologists study humans in relation to themselves, their past, their environment, and their biological heritage. As a discipline, Anthropology spans the social and natural sciences and the humanities, and is equipped with various tools and approaches to study human problems. Our knowledge and skills contribute critical perspectives on contemporary transformations within academia and in society at large.

Anthropology at MSU provides training in cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, archaeology, and physical anthropology.  While a traditional four-field department, the graduate program provides opportunities for students to engage in research across the subdisciplines. The program also has a number of well-regarded subdisciplinary specialties including medical anthropology and forensic anthropology.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Students applying for admission to the master's program in anthropology will be considered regardless of the field of their previous academic training. It is, however, recommended that students have earned at least 12 undergraduate credits in anthropology before entering the program. Admission on other than a provisional status is normally contingent upon the possession of a bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university, and a junior–senior undergraduate grade–point average of 3.0 or better in academic studies.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Anthropology

The program is available under both Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete a total of 30 credits distributed as follows:

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B

               
1. Both of the following courses (6 credits):
ANP 830 Cultural and Linguistic Anthropological Theory: Key Issues and Debates 3
ANP 840 Biocultural Evolution 3
2. Completion of a methods course appropriate for the student’s subdiscipline. The course must be approved by the student’s guidance committee.
3. Completion of additional elective credits approved by the student’s guidance committee. At least 21 of the 30 credits required for the degree must be earned in Anthropology.
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1. Complete 4 credits of Anthropology 899 Master’s Thesis Research.
2. Prepare an approved thesis proposal.
3. Pass an oral examination in defense of the thesis.
Additional Requirements for Plan B
1. Pass a final evaluation with a guidance committee of at least three faculty, at least two of whom should be from the Department of Anthropology.

Anthropology - Doctor of Philosophy

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Students applying for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Anthropology will be considered regardless of the field of their previous academic training. It is, however, recommended that students have earned at least 12 undergraduate credits in anthropology before entering the program. Admission on other than a provisional status is normally contingent upon the possession of a bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university, and a junior-senior undergraduate grade-point average 3.0 or better in academic studies.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Anthropology

Students must complete the following:

1. Both of the following courses (6 credits):
ANP 830 Cultural and Linguistic Anthropological Theory: Key Issues and Debates 3
ANP 840 Biocultural Evolution 3
2. Completion of a methods course appropriate for the student’s subdiscipline. The course must be approved by the student’s guidance committee.
3. Completion of additional elective credits approved by the student’s guidance committee.
4. Successful completion of the comprehensive examination, including preparation of a dissertation research proposal.
5. Successful completion of 24 credits of ANP 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research and defense of the doctoral dissertation.