Master of Anthropology Programs
The master's program provides students with a comprehensive grounding in the four fields of the discipline: biological anthropology, sociocultural anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics. Students may choose concentrations in the following:
Summary of Requirements
- The standard program consists of 36 hours of course credits, including 3-6 hours of thesis credits, although a thesis is not required for some program concentrations.
- All students take reading seminars (proseminars) that survey the four fields. These are Anth 6101-6104 (old 201-204). Students with appropriate background may place out of one or two proseminars. The decision on placing out is made by the proseminar instructor based on transcripts, syllabi, papers, etc., submitted by the student. Each proseminar concludes with a qualifying exercise, which students must pass with at least a B-.
- All students must also take a methods course.
- Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
- All students must demonstrate competency in an approved foreign language.
- Students must write a culminating project that can be a thesis, a journal paper, or an Integrating Essay. The essay articulates their particular focus within anthropology and relates it to three of the four fields.
- For details, consult the graduate handbook on mapping out a program.
Financial Aid from the Department
The Columbian College preferentially provides teaching assistant packages to Ph.D. students rather than M.A. students. GTAships for master's candidates are unlikely to be available after 2012-2013.
The Anthropology Department provides other support for M.A. students:
- The Shirley H. and Robert L. Richards Endowment Scholarships are usually available for anthropology students who would otherwise qualify for teaching assistantships. Students who apply for a TAship are automatically considered for a Richards Scholarship.
- Two work-study positions are available for students who are eligible for this form of federal financial aid. The positions involve work in our archaeology and discourse labs.
- There are also half-time administrative jobs in the offices of Anthropological Quarterly and the Center for the Advanced Study of Hominid Paleobiology.
- Jobs may also be available from faculty who have research grants, although these jobs generally have highly specific requirements.
- The Ann Gordon Webster Endowment supports the education of those who are returning to college after years spent raising family and/or pursuing a career outside anthropology.
- Also – check GW's Office of Fellowship and Graduate Student Support for more information on funding.
Other useful websites are:
More Information about Admissions
For detailed information, visit our Graduate Anthropology Admission Information page.
Graduate Financial Assistance
The Office of Student Financial Assistance offers financial aid in the form of Federal Direct Stafford, Federal Direct Graduate PLUS, and private alternative loans to students who have been admitted to one of our graduate degree or approved graduate certificate programs. Visit the Office of Student Financial Assistance in the ground floor of the Marvin Center to learn more.