Graduate

The MA consists of 30 credits of coursework and culminates in a thesis or exam. Students may pursue their degree full-time (defined as nine or more credits, or three or more classes, per semester) or part-time (one or two classes per semester). The MA degree can be completed in two years (four semesters) of full-time study; we expect part time students to finish within four years. After four years of part-time enrollment, a time-extension can be granted for part-time students making satisfactory progress toward their degree.

Many, but not all, of our graduate courses are offered in the evening. However, some courses required toward the MA degree may be offered on other schedules, twice or three times per week, may require extensive lab-work, or may otherwise require time on campus during normal business hours. A flexible work schedule is necessary to complete our MA on a part-time basis.

MA students work with the graduate advisor and with their faculty mentor to select electives and pursue coursework in one of our concentrations: 

• Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology
• Evolutionary Primatology and Paleontology
• Archaeology of Global Change

In recent semesters, our graduate course offerings have included the following electives:

Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology

• Anthropology of Race
• Environmentalism, Globalization, and Culture
• Psychological Anthropology
• Medical Anthropology
• Language, Health and Medicine
• Anthropology of Religion

Evolutionary Primatology and Paleontology

• Human Anatomy
• Evolution of the Human Skeleton
• Field Methods in Primatology
• Primate Ecology
• Human Biological Adaptations

Archaeology of Global Change

• Cultural Ecology
• Archaeology of Colonialism
• Gender and Archaeology
• Urban Archaeology
• Archaeology of North America

The Master’s Program in Anthropology accepts applications each spring. Information about applying for graduate studies at Hunter College and annual deadlines can be obtained from the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Admission is based on a personal statement, student transcripts and letters of recommendation. All applicants should explain their specific interests and identify which track they intend to follow toward their MA degree.

While a BA (or equivalent degree) is required for admission to our program, an undergraduate major in anthropology is not. Many applicants have little or no previous experience in anthropology, or have undergraduate degrees in related fields. Evidence of previous academic success generally carries considerable weight. For applicants who have been out of school for some time, the nature of job experience is clearly important (for example, some students have current or previous employment with the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, the American Museum of Natural History, and similar institutions).

Full-time graduate students may be eligible for some financial aid and/or work-study jobs from Hunter College, New York State or other sources. Part-time students usually have fewer financial aid options. The department does not offer any financial aid that can be applied to college tuition. All students in need of financial aid should visit the Office of Financial Aid website.

Interested students may apply to take a limited number of classes as non-degree (or non-matriculated) graduate students. Application to take courses at Hunter on a non-degree basis is made via the Office of Graduate Admissions, and non-degree students can select from available classes in a range of Hunter departments. This is a good pathway for students hoping to apply to the MA program or those seeking to deepen their knowledge of the field in preparation for graduate applications elsewhere or for professional enrichment. Non-degree students may take a maximum of 12 credits in the Department of Anthropology. Those who have received grades of B or better may apply for full matriculation, and their credits can be applied toward their MA.

Prospective students can expect to conduct individual research during their MA coursework, with some students completing an MA thesis based on extensive independent research. In biological anthropology, faculty advisors are assigned to students at the time of acceptance. For other fields, students will choose a thesis advisor as they develop their project. The faculty advisor must be a full-time member of the Department of Anthropology faculty.

Each semester the department provides small research and training grants (usually of $1,000 or less) on a competitive basis to assist degree students in their master’s thesis research. The department has special funds to support research into the causes and consequences of peace (the Mangone fund). Enrolled students may also benefit from funded research opportunities provided by faculty grants.

Our faculty members maintain active laboratory and field research programs. See Research for detailed information about our biological anthropology labs, which focus on research in primate evolution, conservation biology, molecular evolution, human adaptations and nutritional ecology. The department is affiliated with the North Atlantic Biocultural Organization (NABO) and with the Human Ecodynamics Research Center (HERC) at the Graduate Center. Explore all our faculty profiles for information about research conducted in New York City and around the world. 

The MA is the highest academic degree that the Hunter College Department of Anthropology offers, and it provides a basis for a wide array of professional and career goals. Nearly half of our graduates have continued into top-tier PhD programs—both at the CUNY Graduate Center and elsewhere. A significant number have careers with contract archaeology, cultural resource management and environmental consulting firms.

Many work in K-12 education, generally as high school social studies teachers. Other alumni include:

• Curators and full-time staff members and researchers at the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Field Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian, the Ellis Island Museum and the Suffolk County Historical Society Museum.
• Director of the Center for Anthropology and Science Communications.
• Researcher with the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office.
• Special agent with the FBI.
• Zookeeper at the Wildlife Conservation Society (Bronx Zoo).
• Founder and president of a language school in Costa Rica.
• Operations analyst for the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank.
• Historic preservation manager at the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
• Senior account executive at Mal Warwick, a marketing company.
• Development director at the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council.
• President of CampGroup, a consortium of summer sports camps.
• Researcher at the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center.
• Membership assessment coordinator for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
• Environmental policy advisor at the Bronx River Alliance.
• Several successful self-employed graphic artists and web designers.
• Social media editor at CFA Institute, the professional organization of certified financial planners.
• Program operations manager at City Green, an environmental non-profit.
• Senior operations manager at Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders).

Whatever your aspirations, the Department of Anthropology is committed to helping you discover how our program can help you attain them.

Contact the department’s graduate advisor at anthroma@hunter.cuny.edu with any questions about applying, about the department’s research specialties, or whether the Master’s Program in Anthropology can provide training toward particular research interests or professional goals.