Anthropology - Master of Arts
The Anthropology M.A. program is designed for students who are interested in the traditional sub-disciplines of anthropology, as well as such related fields as cultural resource management, food studies, medical anthropology, and museum studies. The program is directed to both students planning to complete a professional M.A. degree and students planning to enter a Ph.D. program. In addition to the M.A. in Anthropology, our program offers graduate minors in anthropology, archaeology, and food studies, as well as Graduate Certificates in cultural resource management and museum studies. The faculty encourage all graduate students to develop graduate minors and certificates, enhancing their specialized training in anthropology.
Program Outcomes:
- Develop and execute a problem-oriented anthropological study using appropriate theoretical and methodological perspectives in at least one sub-field of anthropology. The study may focus on applied/practicing work or standard academic research, and will report the results in the form of a master's thesis, professional internship report, or professional research project report. The final thesis or report must show substantive data analysis by the student, directed toward an explicit anthropological research question.
- Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills in professional settings.
- Demonstrate professional engagement with peers, faculty, staff, researchers, and other professionals in anthropology.
An undergraduate anthropology degree is not required for entry into the M.A. program. Applicants who lack the equivalent of ANTH 301, ANTH 315, and ANTH 355 may be required to take these courses or corresponding sections of ANTH 502. ANTH 350 or the equivalent is recommended. Applicants without an undergraduate degree in anthropology are encouraged to contact the Graduate Advisor before applying to the M.A. program in anthropology.
The M.A. Program in Anthropology at NMSU is enrolled as an eligible graduate program under the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP). WRGP allows master’s, graduate certificate, and doctoral students who are residents of Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) member states to enroll in graduate programs outside of their home state and pay in-state resident tuition. Residents of the following states and territories are eligible to attend the M.A. Program in Anthropology at NMSU for in-state tuition rates: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associate States, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Interested graduate applicants should apply directly to the NMSU Graduate School and identify themselves as WICHE WRGP applicants. WRGP applicants must meet NMSU’s WRGP admission requirements and deadlines. If you have further questions about the WRGP program and your eligibility, please contact Kelly Jenks at kljenks@nmsu.edu.
Admission Requirements
To apply to the Anthropology Masters Degree program the following materials are required:
- Graduate School application form and fees
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, with a 3.0 GPA minimum.
- A letter from the candidate addressing his or her interests and graduate school objectives
- Letters of recommendation from three persons familiar with the candidate’s academic record
All the above items should be submitted through the Graduate School’s central admission system at: https://gradschool.nmsu.edu/
NOTE: The GRE is not required.
NOTE: In addition to the above, international applicants also need to view the requirements of admission to the university and provide additional documentation online, at this page: https://isss.nmsu.edu/index-2/
NOTE: students may matriculate in either August or January. If a student wishes to be considered for a Graduate Assistantship, the application must be completed by February 15 for admission in the fall semester. Assistantships are not usually offered for students matriculating in January, but they may be considered in subsequent semesters for an award.
For more information about the Anthropology Graduate Program contact:
Dr. Kelly Jenks, Anthropology Graduate Advisor at: kljenks@nmsu.edu
Dr. Rani Alexander, Anthropology Department Head at: raalexan@nmsu.edu
The Anthropology M.A. program is designed for students who are interested in the traditional sub-disciplines of anthropology, as well as such related fields as cultural resource management, food studies, medical anthropology, and museum studies. The program is directed to both students planning to complete a professional M.A. degree and students planning to enter a Ph.D. program. In addition to the M.A. in Anthropology, our program offers graduate minors in anthropology, archaeology, food studies, and Native American Studies, as well as Graduate Certificates in cultural resource management and museum studies. The faculty encourage all graduate students to develop graduate minors and certificates, enhancing their specialized training in anthropology.
An undergraduate anthropology degree is not required for entry into the M.A. program. Applicants who lack the equivalent of ANTH 301, ANTH 315, and ANTH 355 may be required to take these courses or corresponding sections of ANTH 502. ANTH 350 or the equivalent is recommended. Applicants without an undergraduate degree in anthropology are encouraged to contact the Graduate Advisor before applying to the M.A. program in anthropology.
Program Requirements
Students selecting the thesis option must complete 33 hours of basic course work, as described below, plus 6 hours of thesis credit. Students selecting the non-thesis option must complete 39 hours of course work including an internship or special research project for 6 credits.
The 33 hours of basic course work for students selecting either the thesis or non-thesis options are distributed as follows:
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Graduate Courses 1 | 6 | |
| Anthropological Theory (Fall only) | 3 | |
| Issues in Anthropological Practice (Spring only) | 3 | |
| Additional Courses | 27 | |
| Select additional topical, methodological, and area courses in anthropology 1 | ||
Students may count six credits from any discipline outside of Anthropology toward the total 27 credits of additional courses | ||
| Thesis or Non-Thesis Options | ||
| Select either a Thesis or Non-Thesis Track: | 6 | |
Thesis | ||
| Master's Thesis | 6 | |
Non-Thesis | ||
| Internship | 6 | |
or ANTH 598 | Special Research Problems | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
- 1
earning a grade of B or better
A Suggested Plan of Study
The Roadmap for the Master of Arts in Anthropology assumes each student will create a customized plan and selection of topical/methodological courses in consultation with their graduate faculty committee.
Non-Curricular Requirements and Expectations
Form graduate committee, consisting of two faculty members from the Department of Anthropology and one external faculty member outside the department.
Clarify your academic and professional goals and align curricular path with MA Anthropology to achieve program outcomes:
Program Outcomes:
- Develop and execute a problem-oriented anthropological study using appropriate theoretical and methodological perspectives in at least one sub-field of anthropology. The study may focus on applied/practicing work or standard academic research, and will report the results in the form of a master's thesis, professional internship report, or professional research project report. The final thesis or report must show substantive data analysis by the student, directed toward an explicit anthropological research question.
- Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills in professional settings.
- Demonstrate professional engagement with peers, faculty, staff, researchers, and other professionals in anthropology.
Formulate topic with graduate committee chair for thesis or non-thesis internship/research project.
Discuss whether specific graduate minors or the graduate certificates in cultural resource management or museum studies will enhance career development. Discuss which Topical/Methodological courses will build your knowledge, skills, and abilities and best support your academic and professional development.
Engage with the Anthropology Graduate Student Organization and discuss opportunities for professional engagement with your committee. Look for opportunities to attend professional conferences, internships, or other professional workshops.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ANTH 503 | Anthropological Theory | 3 |
| Choose two from the fall schedule of classes, must be numbered 500 and above. | 6 | |
Topical/Methodological Course 1 | ||
Topical/Methodological Course 2 | ||
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Non-Curricular Requirements and Expectations
Students continue to work with faculty committee to develop a proposal for your thesis, internship, or special research project.
Finalize your choice of thesis/non-thesis option.
Proposal hearing by committee in May after completion of ANTH 505 Issues in Anthropological Practice, advancement to candidacy.
Approved NMSU IRB proposal for Human Subjects Research, as necessary.
Preparation of proposals for external funding and support.
Attendance of professional conferences and workshops, as recommended by committee.
Plan for summer fieldwork or internship experiences.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credits | |
| ANTH 505 | Issues in Anthropological Practice | 3 |
| Choose two from the spring schedule of classes, must be numbered 500 and above: | 6 | |
Topical/Methodological Course 2 | ||
Topical/Methodological Course 2 | ||
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Non-Curricular Requirements and Expectations
With the advice and approval of your graduate committee, begin data collection, laboratory work, or field work needed to advance your thesis or non-thesis research/internship/special research project.
Make revisions to project proposal as recommended by faculty committee chair in preparation for proposal hearing.
Students are expected to hold a proposal hearing in September of their second year at the latest.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Credits | |
| Topical/Methodological Course or corresponding Thesis/Non-Thesis course 3 | 3-6 | |
| Credits | 3-6 | |
| Total Credits | 3-6 | |
Non-Curricular Requirements and Expectations
Advancement to Candidacy:
For advancement to candidacy the following criteria must be met:
- Successful completion of ANTH 503 Anthropological Theory and ANTH 505 Issues in Anthropological Practice and completion of two semesters of graduate course requirements.
- Proposal Hearing
Finalize Program of Study with faculty committee with timeline to final oral examination (defense) and graduation
Discuss professional engagement opportunities and presentation of research at appropriate professional conference venues and workshops.
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Topical/Methodological Courses 4 | 3 | |
| Topical/Methodological courses 2 | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Internship | ||
| Special Research Problems | ||
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Non-Curricular Requirements and Expectations
Consult your committee chair about final timeline to final oral examination and apply for degree.
Check all NMSU Graduate School deadlines.
Final Oral Examination (Defense)
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credits | |
| Topical/Methodological Course 4 | 3 | |
| Topical/Methodological Course 2 | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Internship | ||
| Special Research Problems | ||
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
- 1
Choose from the schedule of courses in consultation with committee chair and graduate advisor. If you are pursuing a graduate certificate, choose one certificate core course.
- 2
Choose from schedule of classes in consultation with committee chair and graduate advisor.
- 3
Field Work, Archival Work, Internship, Community Consultation: ANTH 522 Archaeological Field School, ANTH 597 Internship, ANTH 598 Special Research Problems.
- 4
Choose from the schedule of courses in consultation with committee chair.
If you are pursuing a graduate certificate or graduate minor choose controlled electives in ANTH or interdisciplinary fields to meet requirements.
The MAP program encourages qualified undergraduate students to consider taking graduate-level courses in their junior or senior years. It is a dual credit program whereby eligible students can “double count” up to 9 graduate-level credits by applying them to their BA degree as well as to the graduate degree if they are later admitted to the MA in Anthropology or another Graduate degree program.
Students may not attempt more than 3 credits of graduate coursework in one semester. Students must earn a grade of B or higher to have graduate credits count under the MAP program. Graduate courses completed with a B- or lower are not eligible for MAP credit.
Students are not guaranteed admission to a graduate program by participating in the MAP program (it is a dual credit program, not a dual degree program). They still need to apply to the MA program in Anthropology or to their chosen NMSU graduate program and submit an application for admission if they wish to complete a Master of Arts, graduate minor, or graduate certificate in the Department of Anthropology. Students may be able to transfer graduate credits to programs at other universities, but the program directors and Graduate Schools of those universities will have their own rules and policies regarding transfer credit and may not accept graduate credits earned at NMSU.
Honors Credit Undergraduate students who obtain a grade of B or higher in graduate level classes can count their credits as Honors credits. Undergraduate students who earn a grade of B or higher in two 3-credit graduate classes will automatically graduate with an Honors Certificate.
MAP Requirements
- Undergraduate students must be juniors or seniors and have completed 60 credit hours of coursework towards an undergraduate degree.
- If the student intends to apply for the MA in Anthropology, completion of the undergraduate core courses, ANTH 301 Cultural Anthropology, ANTH 315 Introduction to Archaeology, ANTH 355 Biological Anthropology, and ANTH 350 Anthropological Theory is strongly preferred.
- Preferred 3.5 GPA or above.
- Undergraduate students must have an assigned faculty advisor within the Department of Anthropology and must meet with their advisor at least once per semester before registration.
- Students must speak to their financial aid advisor before being approved for MAPS.
- Students accepted into the master’s accelerated program, must participate in the Online Developing New Scholars Program (DNSP), offered by the Graduate School. The purpose of DNSP is to create access for success in graduate education by providing formal mentoring.
- Students may not have previously earned a Bachelor’s Degree.
- Students have removed any Incomplete grades or holds at the time that they request admission to a graduate-level class.
Additional Program Guidelines:
Faculty can invite eligible students to consider taking graduate-level coursework. Students can also ask faculty for permission to take a graduate class. In all cases, students should speak with their advisors to make sure that the chosen classes are suitable for their planned program of study.
In most cases, the student should be enrolled in a total of only 15 credit hours per semester. Overloads of 18 or more credits are not advisable.
Registration in graduate classes must be approved by the course instructor and the student’s MAP faculty advisor, with notification and approval of the Anthropology Department Head and the NMSU Graduate School.
A student may withdraw their participation at any point from an approved Master’s Accelerated Program by informing, in writing, the respective department-head with a copy sent to the Dean of the Graduate School.
The student’s MAP form must be fully approved by the Department and NMSU Graduate School before the student may register for a graduate level course. In no instances can a graduate course ‘count’ towards the student’s graduate degree retroactively under MAPS.
Accepted MAP Courses:
Upon approved enrollment to the Anthropology MAP Program, the following courses may be taken as electives in the undergraduate program of study. They count as graduate electives in topical, methodological, and area courses in the student's graduate program of study. Additional course offerings may be approved for Anthropology MAP with permission of the Department Head and the student's MAP advisor.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 515 | Applied Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 516 | Advanced Archaeology of the American Southwest | 3 |
| ANTH 520 | Ethnographic Field Methods | 3 |
| ANTH 529 | Advanced Evolutionary Medicine | 3 |
| ANTH 535 | Adv. Human Health and Biological Variation | 3 |
| ANTH 540 | Cultural Resource Management | 3 |
| ANTH 533 | Advanced Issues in Sex, Gender, and Culture | 3 |
| ANTH 545 | Advanced Museology | 3 |
Please note that the graduate core classes ANTH 503 Anthropological Theory and ANTH 505 Issues in Anthropological Practice are excluded from the MAP eligible course list.
Individualized study courses such as ANTH 596 Readings, ANTH 597 Internship, ANTH 597 Internship, and ANTH 599 Master's Thesis are excluded from the MAP eligible course list.