Master of Arts in Anthropology
Admission to Program
The Department accepts applications for fall and spring semester enrollments. The deadline for application for admission to enroll for the fall is the first day of the preceding March. The deadline for application to enroll in the spring semester is the first day of the preceding November. In addition to these formal deadlines, the Department accepts, reviews, and makes decisions on applications on a rolling basis through the calendar year.
While we welcome applications from students with a wide range of experiences and a diversity of undergraduate degrees, we recommend that applicants have a B.A. or B.S. in Anthropology or an allied field. Students enrolling without an anthropology degree may be required to take the following prerequisite classes or equivalents.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 100 | Introduction to Biological Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 110 | Introduction to Archaeology | 3 |
| ANTH 120 | Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 300 | Foundations of Anthropology: History | 3 |
| ANTH 301 | Foundations of Archaeology | 3 |
| ANTH 302 | Foundations of Human Variation | 3 |
Students may satisfy the prerequisite requirement by having taken similar classes at the undergraduate level at their undergraduate or other institution. Prerequisite coursework will not count toward the degree and may not be included on the ATC.
Application for admission consists of two-part process, which must be completed simultaneously by the deadline to be considered for admission: the first made to the University; the second made to the Department. The University application is submitted to the Division of Graduate Studies through CSU Mentor secure.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/grad_apply.asp. The Anthropology Department application is made via the department’s online document submission page anthropology.sfsu.edu/content/apply, and consists of the following elements:
- One-page Curriculum Vitae;
- Statement of Purpose (500–word max.);
- Two Letters of Recommendation;
- Writing Sample;
- Official Transcripts;
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores; and
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if necessary.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Possess advanced knowledge and understanding of the concepts and theories of the three sub-disciplines covered by the Department.
- Have the ability to analyze and evaluate complex data about human biological and cultural systems.
- Have the ability to employ a comparative approach and make meaningful cross-cultural comparisons.
- Demonstrate an advanced ability to perform all phases of anthropological fieldwork in one of the three sub-disciplines, including but not restricted to archaeological fieldwork, collection of biological data, ethnographic participant observation, interviewing, audio-visual and archival research methods.
- Have skills at levels sufficiently high to allow them access to Ph.D. programs in their sub-field, or move directly into a professional employment in their sub-discipline.
Written English Proficiency Requirement
The University has a requirement for written English proficiency that is to be assessed at two different levels.
Level One
A score of 4.0 or above on the analytical writing section of the GRE.
Level Two
Completion of the M.A. thesis (ANTH 898) or completion of the written component of the MA Creative Work Project (ANTH 894).
Classified Graduate Status
All graduate students are admitted to the program with conditionally classified status. To attain classified status, graduate students must meet the following:
- Completion of prerequisite coursework (if any).
- Completion of ANTH 710 with a grade of B or above.
Anthropology (M.A.) — 30 units
All students must complete the following courses and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above:
Core (15 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| ANTH 710 | Proseminar in Anthropological Theory and Method | 3 |
| ANTH 720 | Foundations in Visual Anthropology | 2 |
| ANTH 721 | Seminar in Archaeological Problems | 2 |
| ANTH 722 | Seminar in Biological Anthropology | 2 |
| ANTH 723 | Seminar in Problems in Cultural Anthropology | 2 |
| Research Skills | ||
| ANTH 715 | Research Skills: The Craft of Anthropological Writing | 1 |
| ANTH 716 | Research Skills: The Literature Review | 1 |
| ANTH 717 | Research Skills: The Research Proposal | 1 |
| ANTH 718 | Research Skills: The Grant Proposal | 1 |
Electives (8–12 units)
To reach the minimum number of units required for the degree, students must:
- Take graduate elective classes (numbered 700 and above) selected from those offered in the Anthropology Department or, with approval, from other departments at SF State.
- Students are advised to take ANTH 899 Independent Study (1, 2, or 3 units) as part of their area of specialization. Students may take ANTH 899 no more than twice for a maximum total of six units.
- With approval, students may take upper division undergraduate classes.
NOTE: no more than 30% (nine units) of undergraduate course work may be included on the ATC. (Prerequisite course work may not be included on the ATC.)
Culminating Experience (3 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 894 | Creative Work Project | 3 |
| or ANTH 898 | Master's Thesis | |
