Anthropology - MA

Program

The Department of Anthropology at Hunter College offers the only master’s program in anthropology within the CUNY system. The program offers courses in cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, archaeology, and anthropological linguistics, in order to prepare students for careers in research, teaching and applied fields.

The program offers many courses in the evening to accommodate students who hold full-time jobs. Virtually all students who complete the MA program and apply to PhD programs at other institutions are admitted to a program. Some MA students are accepted to PhD programs before completing the requirements for the Hunter MA. Hunter MA students may take courses at the CUNY Graduate Center. Most of the Hunter anthropology faculty are also members of the faculty of the Graduate Center’s doctoral program in anthropology. Students are encouraged to participate in faculty research, much of which is externally funded, providing limited opportunities for part-time employment. Scholarships and grants are also available for students in the program to participate in field schools and to conduct field research. Please see our website and contact the graduate adviser for more information.

Requirements for Admission

In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission, students must have at least 9 credits in undergraduate anthropology or a related field, although in special cases this requirement may be waived.

Requirements for the Degree

Requirements for the MA in Anthropology

A minimum of 30 credits beyond the BA.

1. Required Courses (9 credits)

Additional Information

Students are required to pass these courses with a grade of B- or better. Students are strongly advised to complete these courses early in their graduate training.

2. Electives (21 credits)

The program of study should be chosen to achieve a specialized knowledge in one of the four fields of the discipline: anthropological linguistics, anthropological archaeology, biological anthropology, and cultural anthropology. Alternatively, students, in consultation with the graduate advisor, can create a course of study that combines courses in different fields. Students may also use courses from other departments to fulfill their program requirements with the approval of the graduate advisor.

4. Foreign Language Requirement

A reading knowledge of at least one foreign language appropriate to the field of specialization, or a demonstrated competence in statistics is required. Consult the graduate adviser for more information.