University of Colorado DenverCollege of Liberal Arts and SciencesUniversity of Colorado Denver

GRADUATE PROGRAMS ::
M.A. Requirements

PLANS OF STUDY

MA students may pursue Plan I (thesis option) or Plan II (nonthesis option).         

Plan I -- Thesis Required -- 33 credit hours

           
  • Tier One: Theoretical Perspectives Coursework -- 9 credits
    •            
  • Tier Two: Methods Coursework -- 9 credits
    •            
  • Tier Three: Concentrations Coursework -- 9 to 11 credits
    •            
  • Thesis Credit Hours -- 4 to 6 credits

Plan II -- No Thesis -- 39 credit hours

  • Tier One: Theoretical Perspectives Coursework -- 9 credits
    •            
  • Tier Two: Methods Coursework -- 9 credits
    •            
  • Tier Three: Concentrations Coursework -- 21 credits

General requirements

A plan of study, including a statement of proposed coursework, and thesis subject if applicable, must be submitted to and approved by the student's advisor by the third semester in residence.

Students may apply to the degree up to 9 hours of study in disciplines outside of, but related to, the discipline of anthropology, with the approval of their graduate advisor. Such courses must be taken at the 4000 level or above.

A graduate student must receive a grade of B- or better in a course in order to have it count toward graduation, and must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 to remain in good standing.

A minimum of two full years devoted to advanced study is required by the Graduate School; students are strongly discouraged from spending more than four years to attain the M.A. degree. Generally, three years of full-time participation are required to complete the M.A. degree. Most of our students attend part time, and thus take slightly longer to complete their degree program.

All students are required to pass a written comprehensive examination, taken ordinarily after core course work has been completed.

Course Requirements

Your graduate education begins by taking ANTH 5810 -- Integrating Anthropology, plus two core courses that together encompass contemporary theory in anthropology. These courses are followed by three courses in research methods and techniques. After completing this core, you'll select from among the specialized elective courses offered that provide instruction in the research and/or area concentrations described in more detail below. You will work closely with an advisor in selecting the range of courses appropriate both to a problem orientation and to your career objectives.

Tier One: A Survey of Theoretical Perspectives in Contemporary Anthropology
(9 credit hours)

Required in fall of first year:

  • ANTH 5810. Integrating Anthropology (3 credits)

Two of the following:

  • ANTH 6103. Current Theory in Ethnography. (3 credits)
  • ANTH 6307. Contemporary Perspectives in Archaeology* (3 credits)
  • ANTH 6503. Biological Anthropology Core I †. (3 credits)

Tier Two: Methods of the Discipline (9 credit hours)

All students must complete or demonstrate competence in subjects covered by the following:

  • ANTH 5053. Quantitative Methods in Anthropology (3 credits)

Two of the following:

    • ANTH 6063. Qualitative Research Design and Methods (3 credits) (same as HBSC 7051-3)
    • ANTH 6317. Archaeological Research Design and Analysis*. (3 credits)
    • ANTH 6513. Biological Anthropology Core II †(3 credits)

    * Students who wish to apply for a teaching assistantship in archaeology must have completed this course.
    † Students who wish to apply for a teaching assistantship in biological anthropology must have completed this course.

    Tier Three: Research or Area Concentrations (9-21 credit hours)

    You will round out your program by selecting from the diverse range of courses offered in the department according to your particular interests in anthropology, your career goals, and your plans for future graduate study. Links below will take you to a sampling of possible elective courses for each concentration. You may take courses in one or more concentrations. The courses listed are suggestions only; you must work closely with your advisor in constructing your particular program of study.

    Research Concentrations

    Area Studies Concentrations

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