StudyQA — Master: Archaeology

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

The MA in Archaeology prepares students for professional careers in museums and in public and private cultural resource management and heritage work as well as for further study towards the PhD in Archaeology or a related field. The intent of the program is to provide appropriate education and training in the recovery, analysis, and interpretation of archaeological materials and contexts while assuring sufficient background in one or more cognate fields, such as classics, art history, anthropology, and history. The program includes classroom and practical training in the quantitative methods and scientific techniques employed in the analysis, dating, and interpretation of archaeological finds, either within the framework of the Archaeology curriculum or within that of other departments or programs.

Applicants must have a BA or BS, preferably from a program in archaeology or one related to archaeology (such as anthropology or classical studies, with a concentration in archaeology). Students lacking sufficient preparation in archaeology will be required to take courses, as determined by the Graduate Studies Committee, to make up the deficiency. On occasion these courses may be beyond the minimum specified by the Graduate School.

Course Requirements

A minimum of eight semester courses (32 credits) is required. Current requirements include:

GRS AR 891 Contemporary Theory in Archaeology
GRS AR 892 Archaeological Ethics and the Law
GRS AR 893 World Archaeology
GRS AR 894 Scientific Methods in Archaeology
4 credits of field or laboratory research

Students must also complete a master’s research project report or pass the PhD qualifying examinations.

Language Requirement

All students pursuing an MA in Archaeology are required to demonstrate graduate-level reading proficiency in a foreign language by the end of the second semester of study. Language proficiency can be demonstrated either through a language examination, successful completion of a non-credit graduate-level foreign language reading course offered by Boston University, or the equivalent of two years of undergraduate study of the language at Boston University.

Master’s Project

The master’s project will consist of a substantial piece of research and writing. There is no specific format and style; both will depend on the nature of the project. The prospectus must be approved by the Advisory Committee and submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies for review by the Graduate Studies Committee by the eighth week of the student’s second semester in the program.

Requirements

Application
$95 Application fee
Uploaded Transcripts. On the application, you will have the opportunity to upload an unofficial copy of your transcript. Please note you will be required to submit official transcripts if you accept our offer of admission..
Two official letters of recommendation. Recommendations should be submitted through the online recommendation system. Photocopies and other facsimiles, such as scanned/emailed or faxed documents will not be considered official.
Most departments ask for three letters; check your department’s requirements at Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Official GRE General scores, sent by ETS to institution code 3087.
Some departments may also require the Subject Test; contact your department for details. Applicants applying to MFA programs are not required to submit GRE scores.
Official TOEFL scores sent by ETS to institution code 3087.
Personal Statement
Resume or CV (highly recommended, not required)
Writing Sample
A writing sample is required by some but not all departments. Check your department’s requirements at Application Requirements and Deadlines.
International Student Documents