Anthropology

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 47.3 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 47.3 k / Year(s) Deadline: Dec 13, 2025
2 place StudyQA ranking:3815 Duration:1 year

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The purpose of the Master of Arts degree program is to further develop knowledge and skills in Anthropology and to prepare students for a professional career or doctoral studies. This is achieved through completion of courses in the primary field, as well as related areas, and through experience with independent work, area specialization and field research.

Students may pursue two different tracks in the Anthropology M.A. degree program. The tracks are not declarable in Axess; they do not appear on the transcript or the diploma. The tracks are:

  • Archaeology
  • Culture and Society

AUTUMN

Courses:

  • Both Tracks-ANTHRO 310G Intro Grad Studies and ANTHRO 444 Colloquium
  • AR-None given
  • CS-ANTHRO 301A Foundations of Social Theory (optional for MA),  ANTHRO 306 Research Method (may waive out of requirement based on previous Methods training), and Anthro 400 Cultural & Social Dissertation Writers Seminar

Funding:

  • non given

Milestones:

  • Approved Department's Plan of Study and Declaration of Track (form) due by the last day of the first week in Autumn quarter of first year Other

Requirements:

  • By the end of the first quarter, submit the Registrar's Masters Degree Program Proposal form
  • By the last day of the first quarter of the Masters degree program, submit the Department's Graduate Report of Degree Progress form

Units:

  • Full time 11-18 (15 minimum). Suggested: at least one or more department review courses (usually ANTHRO 300-level), ANTHRO 444 and 445, 310G, and a Theory course (usually ANTHRO 300-level) as required by track.

WINTER

Courses:

  • All Tracks-ANTHRO 444 Colloquium
  • AR-ANTHRO 303 Intro Arch Theory
  • CS-ANTHRO 311G Intro CS Grad Studies and ANTHRO 301 Hist of Anth Theory
  • EE-ANTHRO 364 Eco Group (letter grade required)

Funding:

  • non given

Units:

  • Full time 11-18 (15 minimum). Suggested: at least one or more department review courses (usually ANTHRO 300-level), ANTHRO 444 and 445, 311G (required of the CS track students, only), and a Theory course (usually ANTHRO 300-level) as required by track.

Central or Other Department: [Download department forms at Graduate Forms and References]

  • Plan of Study and Declaration

Registrar:

  • Masters Degree Program Proposal.  See https://stanford.app.box.com/v/progpropma

SPRING

Courses:

  • All Tracks-ANTHRO 444 Colloquium
  • AR-ANTHRO 303 Intro Arch Theory and ANTHRO 307 Arch Methods Res Des (or, by end 2nd year)
  • CS-ANTHRO 311G Intro CS Grad Studies and ANTHRO 300 Reading Theory Through Ethnography (optional for MA)
  • EE-ANTHRO 304 Data Analysis (or, by end 2nd year)

Funding:

  • non given

Other Requirements:

  • Completion of a minimum of 4 department review courses, inclusive of the theory course requirement, by the end of spring quarter (or the third quarter of matriculation as a graduate Masters student).
  • Completion of at least on Methods course by the end of spring quarter (or the third quarter of matriculation as a graduate Masters student).

Units:

  • Full time 11-18 (15 minimum). Suggested: at least one or more department review courses (usually ANTHRO 300-level), ANTHRO 444 and 445, 311G (required of the CS track students, only), and a Theory course (usually ANTHRO 300-level) as required by track.
  • Complete at least 45 units by the end of Spring quarter in the first year

SUMMER

Courses:

  • No enrollment required

Funding:

  • non given

Units:

  • Zero units; no enrollment required unless graduating in Summer Quarter

Requirements

  1. Submission of the Stanford University Electronic Graduate Admissions Application (for PhD and terminal MA applications only) by the published deadline. Please review the information and instructions, for accessing the electronic application, via the Stanford University Graduate Admissions webpages located at http://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/gradadmissions. To choose an Anthropology graduate degree program, search for the Department of Anthropology in the School of Humanities and Sciences.
  2. Submission of the Writing Sample detailing evidence of both writing ability, the capacity for research, analysis, original thought at the graduate level, and demonstration of the ability to use theory in relation to evidence. Please submit a 4,500-5,400 word paper, via electronic pdf file upload directly to the electronic graduate application. If electronic submission is not possible, please send an email message to anth_gradadmission@stanford.edu explaining the circumstance and make a request for an alternate method of electronic submission.
  3. Submission of all cited transcripts, via electronic .pdf file upload directly to the electronic graduate application. In addition to uploading a scanned copy of the transcript, applicants must arrange to have two official transcripts sent to you from every post-secondary institution they have attended for at least one academic year as a full-time student. NOTE: An official transcript is one that is received directly from the issuing institution that bears the official seal and signature of the institution, representing its validity. See https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/applying/starting-your-application/required-application-documents/transcripts-academic-records-0.
  4. Submission of required test scores by way of the Educational Testing Service (ETS) listing the Stanford University Institutional code: 4704 (there is no department or school code, only the University code)
    • GRE required for all national and foreign national applicants
    • TOEFL for all foreign national applicants (please see the information listed at University Registrar Office of Graduate Admissions for exceptions)
  5. Submission of a statement of purpose detailing academic and professional preparation for the Anthropology graduate degree program. Please submit a 900-1,350 word paper, via electronic pdf file upload directly to the electronic graduate application.
  6. Submission of three letters of recommendation, only. Please review the University Registrar Office of Graduate Admissions instructions for submission of the letters of recommendation. Important - Letters must be submitted electronically by each recommender. A private letter/credentialing service is not permitted. If electronic submission is not possible, please send an email message to anth_gradadmission@stanford.edu explaining the circumstance and with a request for alternate method of electronic submission. All letters should be received by the published deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to communicate with each recommender to ensure that the department’s deadline for submission of the electronic graduate application will be met.

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