Master's in Applied Anthropology

• Curriculum focused on building relevant, competitive, rewarding, marketable skills.
• Development of broadly applicable research and professional skills.
• Hands-on training available on campus or in the field.
• Flexible distance learning core courses to enable freedom in residence and research locations.
• Resume’ and skill-building internship experience.
• Culminating experience options - exam, thesis, or project.

Upon completion of the MA degree in Applied Anthropology, students will:

1. Communicate substantive knowledge of the field of applied anthropology, and apply disciplinary principles, theories, methods and approaches to address complex issues within academic and non-academic settings.
2. Demonstrate expertise in a focus area; evaluate, design, and apply relevant research in that area.
3. Employ a wide range of graduate level academic and professional skills enabling one to function effectively in academic and non-academic settings.
4. Demonstrate professional ethics and social responsibility in anthropological practice.
5. Demonstrate critical awareness of our globalized world and recognize multiculturalism and diversity as fundamental characteristics.

Please see the catalog for a list of program requirements. Please pay attention to the catalog year corresponding to when a student begins the program. 

The program includes 5 core courses, an internship, a culminating experience (exam, thesis, or project)., and 9 to 12 units of electives. For elective options, students are encouraged to peruse the catalog, the schedule, and the rotation, and to discuss options with their advisor. 

Students are supported in their effort to achieve a mastery of subject/skills pertinent to their culminating experience and career trajectories prior. This may include taking specific elective courses, participating in workshops, trainings, and fieldwork, and/or demonstrating practical skills. Any skills expectations will be set by the advisor with approval from the graduate coordinator.

An exciting part of the MA program is completing your applied anthropological internship. The internship encompasses 135 hours and may take place at one or more advisor-approved locations that provide training relevant to the program, discipline, or related career path. All internship hours must encompass new learning/responsibilities and have a supervisor - independent study shall not count. Relevant field schools may count, but only hours not also associated with units being used to complete the program's elective requirements. Internships may be paid or unpaid and can be related to present or new employment. Students may receive credit for hours completed prior to enrollment in ANTH 682 if those hours took place while enrolled in the MA program and all pertinent requirements (internship paperwork, etc...) were completed prior to and during the internship. Students are encouraged to think outside the box and consider all organizations and positions, not just those that advertise official "internships." For more information, please view the ANTH 682 syllabus.

Students complete one culminating experience, either a comprehensive exam, a thesis, or a project. All students enter the program on track to complete a comprehensive exam as the culminating experience option. Students wishing to instead complete a thesis or project must meet eligibility requirements and submit a proposal for consideration.

Comprehensive Exam: 

The comprehensive exam consists of three areas: (1) applied anthropology in general, (2) a subfield of interest, and (3) a focus-specific area. Prior to taking the exam, students compile a 75-entry annotated bibliography comprised of 25 entries per area. Students then complete an exam in each area. The exam is typically essay-based but may include practical components. Students are advised to consider their areas (in consultation with their advisor) and to begin to build their annotated bibliographies early in the program. Students become eligible to attempt the examination during the semester in which all required coursework will be completed. A student must have advanced to candidacy before they can take the exam. During the semester of the exam, students should register for ANTH 691, which is a 3-unit course. Students will be added to an ANTH 691 Canvas course through which the exam and related assignments will be administered. For more information, view the ANTH 691 syllabus.

Thesis/Project: 

Eligibility requirements for a thesis/project: (1) Complete at least 15 units of coursework toward the MA degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above and (2) demonstrate proficiency in research and writing skills by earning a grade of A- or above in ANTH 674. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis if the student can otherwise document sufficient preparation to successfully complete a thesis/project. Exceptions must be approved by the advisor, graduate coordinator, and anthropology department chair.

Thesis/Project Proposal: Submit a proposal after or near the end of the semester in which eligibility requirements are anticipated to be met - recommended submission is one month prior to the end of the term. Include the following sections in a 2-3 page (single/double spaced) proposal: (a) How you meet the eligibility requirements and justify any requested exceptions; (b) thesis/project introduction - what it is about; (c) rationale/significance - why it is justified; (d) hypotheses or framing questions/objectives; (e) general methods; (f) general timeline; (g) preparation to successfully complete the thesis/project, including plans to access any needed materials/sites/resources; (h) proposed thesis/project chair and justification. The proposal must be completed solely by the student as a demonstration of preparation for thesis/project work. Submit the proposal as an email copied to both the proposed thesis chair and the anthropology graduate coordinator. Students will typically be notified of the status of their proposal within three work weeks of submission. 

Completing a thesis/project: After gaining approval, students will establish a committee chair and preliminary thesis/project plan. Conferring with the chair, the committee is then formed. Students then complete IRB/IACUC applications as applicable. Students complete 6 units of ANTH 690 while completing research and presenting thesis chapters / project sections to chair and then committee. An in-person/online defense and submit approved thesis/project during the final semester in the program. For more information, please view the ANTH 690 syllabus, thesis/project planning, and instructions for completing and submitting a thesis/project.

Students are to apply for "Advancement to Candidacy & Graduation" early in the semester prior to expected graduation – for example, at the beginning of the Fall semester for graduation in the following Spring semester. You can file for Advancement to Candidacy & Graduation in the semester you intend to graduate, but this may not leave adequate time to plan and meet all other deadlines. See requirements for Advancement to Candidacy and Graduation

Changes to degree plans (e.g., coursework, thesis/exam option, committee members, etc...) made after filing for Advancement to Candidacy may be made using the Request for Program Variation or Waiver form. Changes to graduation date require a Graduation Date Change Request form.

Students wishing to walk in the graduation ceremony are advised to keep a close eye on Cal Poly Humboldt Activities & Deadlines – deadlines are very early semester.