The primary focus of the anthropology graduate program is the doctoral degree. A master's degree is awarded in the process of pursuing the PhD, but students are not admitted for the sole purpose of obtaining a master's degree.
At the master's level, it is expected that candidates will begin to gain professional competence in a specialized field and will have the opportunity to explore a wide spectrum of interests within that field.
Programs for the master's degree in anthropology are intended to build professional competence in the field of concentration. Thorough undergraduate preparation is assumed. Basic training in archaeology, biological anthropology, and sociocultural anthropology, taken as an undergraduate major in anthropology, is recommended. Specific requirements vary for each concentration. Students are encouraged to consult the Anthropology Graduate Studies program webpage for details on requirements for each concentration.
Concentrations within the major are available in archaeology, social and cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, or an intersectional degree track (see description below).
All programs assume that candidates have had general undergraduate training in the discipline equivalent to that required of an undergraduate major at UW–Madison. See Anthropology.
Intersectional Degree Track
Occasionally students have special interests that can be pursued only through a combined program involving two or more of the sub disciplines within the program. Examples might include paleoanthropology, ethno archaeology, or biocultural anthropology. The department offers an intersectional degree track as an option for these special cases. Interested students should write a carefully prepared statement of intent at the time of application to graduate school. This area of study may take longer to complete, and it is strongly suggested that students who are interested in an intersectional program begin in one of the three major sections prior to making this commitment. Admission to the intersectional program requires prior approval by faculty in each section, and students should contact appropriate faculty before writing their statement.
This master’s program is offered for work leading to the PhD. Students may not apply directly for the master's, and should instead see the admissions information for the PhD.
Admissions
This master's program is offered for work leading to the PhD. Students may not apply directly for the master's, and should instead see the admissions information for the PhD.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
The Bursar’s Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
Mode of Instruction
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 30 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 16 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 30 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | A GPA of 3.5. No less than 3.0 during the first year; must have a 3.5 thereafter. |
| Other Grade Requirements | Candidates may not have a GPA lower than 3.0 during the first year and must maintain a 3.5 GPA every year thereafter. Candidates may not carry more than 4 credits of Incomplete at any one time; credits of Incomplete over this limit are counted as grades of F for purposes of the GPA until removed. |
| Assessments and Examinations | Successful completion of a comprehensive master’s exam or a PhD qualifying examination is required. |
| Language Requirements | Language study will be required for many students; specifics are determined in consultation with the advisor and co-advisor. |
Required Courses
Students choose from one of four concentrations/pathways (also referred to as "sections") in the department.
Archaeology Concentration Pathway1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Seminar | ||
| Students complete the following course 3 times for total of 9 credits. | 9 | |
| Seminar-Archaeological Problems | ||
| Coursework | ||
| Graduate level coursework determined through consultation with advisor | 21 | |
| Foreign Language | ||
| Up to 6 credits of foreign-language courses numbered 300 to 999 can be applied toward the MA. | 0-6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Recommended Courses
The following is a list of recommended courses. Other courses may be chosen in consultation with your advisor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTHRO 310 | Topics in Archaeology | 3 |
| ANTHRO 321 | The Emergence of Human Culture | 3 |
| ANTHRO 322 | The Origins of Civilization | 3 |
| ANTHRO 339 | Archaeology of Warfare and Human Nature | 3 |
| ANTHRO 352 | Ancient Technology and Invention | 3 |
| ANTHRO/AMER IND 354 | Archaeology of Wisconsin | 3 |
| ANTHRO 391 | Bones for the Archaeologist | 3 |
Qualifying Examinations
Students must complete qualifying examinations. The examinations include a written component, given in two parts (1) World Prehistory and (2) Method and Theory, each four hours in length on two consecutive days with a prepared bibliography and research paper component. Each student will consult with their advisor to develop one research paper and a separate, comprehensive bibliography. The paper should result from a graduate seminar in archaeology, taken in the context of coursework in the program, and must be revised based on feedback from the professor whose course it was written for.
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These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
Biological Concentration Pathway1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | ||
| Graduate level coursework determined through consultation with advisor | 30 | |
| Qualifying Examination Preparation | ||
| The following courses are strongly recommended in preparation for the general section of the qualifying examination: | ||
| Human Skeletal Anatomy | ||
| Seminar in Evolutionary Theory | ||
| Principles of Genetics | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Recommended Courses
The following is a list of additional recommended courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTHRO 302 | Hominoid Evolution | 3 |
| ANTHRO 304 | Heredity, Environment and Human Populations | 3 |
| ANTHRO/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 410 | Evolutionary Biology | 3 |
| ANTHRO 411 | The Evolution of the Genus, Homo | 3 |
| ANTHRO 458 | Primate Behavioral Ecology | 3 |
| ANTHRO 605 | Seminar-Current Problems in Paleoanthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO/PSYCH/ZOOLOGY 619 | Biology of Mind | 3 |
| ANTHRO 668 | Primate Conservation | 3 |
Qualifying Examinations
Students must complete qualifying examinations. Two term papers from graduate seminars in anthropology must be submitted at the time of the qualifying examination. The two-part examination is compiled by faculty members in this pathway. The written examination expects students to provide in depth knowledge of general principles and theory in modern biology anthropology. The examination is tailored to a student’s particular research interest.
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These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
Cultural Concentration Pathway1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Students must complete 15 credits in cultural anthropology (courses taught by faculty within the cultural pathway/concentration), including the following two courses: | 15 | |
| History of Anthropological Theory | ||
| Fundamentals of Anthropological Theory | ||
| Seminar | ||
| Students must complete a seminar numbered 700 or above, excluding ANTHRO 909. | 3 | |
| Coursework | ||
| Graduate level coursework determined through consultation with advisor | 12 | |
| Foreign Language | ||
| Up to six credits of foreign-language instruction can be applied toward the MA. | 0-6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Recommended Courses
The following is a list of recommended courses. Other courses may be chosen in consultation with your advisor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTHRO 330 | Topics in Ethnology | 3-4 |
| ANTHRO 350 | Political Anthropology | 3-4 |
| ANTHRO 424 | Historical Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO/GEN&WS 443 | Anthropology by Women | 3 |
| ANTHRO 456 | Symbolic Anthropology | 3-4 |
| ANTHRO 545 | Psychological Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO/ED POL 570 | Anthropology and Education | 3 |
| ANTHRO/GEN&WS 920 | Anthropology of Gender | 3 |
| ANTHRO/C&E SOC/ECON/SOC 925 | Seminar: Socio-Economic Change in Underdeveloped Areas | 2-3 |
| ANTHRO 940 | Seminar-Problems in Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO/A A E/C&E SOC/GEOG/HISTORY/LACIS/POLI SCI/PORTUG/SOC/SPANISH 982 | Interdepartmental Seminar in the Latin-American Area | 1-3 |
Qualifying Examinations
Students must complete qualifying examinations and submit a portfolio consisting of two papers. Students work on these papers during their coursework. Students are assessed by an advising committee.
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These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
Intersectional Concentration Pathway1
Students may pursue an intersectional concentration involving two or more of the sub-disciplines within the department. Examples might include paleoanthropology, ethnoarchaeology, or biocultural anthropology. Students choose courses relevant to field of specialization determined through consultation with their advisor.
Recommended Courses
The following is a list of recommended courses. Other courses may be chosen in consultation with your advisor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTHRO 302 | Hominoid Evolution | 3 |
| ANTHRO 303 | Human Skeletal Anatomy | 4 |
| ANTHRO 304 | Heredity, Environment and Human Populations | 3 |
| ANTHRO 310 | Topics in Archaeology | 3 |
| ANTHRO 321 | The Emergence of Human Culture | 3 |
| ANTHRO 322 | The Origins of Civilization | 3 |
| ANTHRO 330 | Topics in Ethnology | 3-4 |
| ANTHRO 339 | Archaeology of Warfare and Human Nature | 3 |
| ANTHRO 350 | Political Anthropology | 3-4 |
| ANTHRO 352 | Ancient Technology and Invention | 3 |
| ANTHRO/AMER IND 354 | Archaeology of Wisconsin | 3 |
| ANTHRO 391 | Bones for the Archaeologist | 3 |
| ANTHRO/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 410 | Evolutionary Biology | 3 |
| ANTHRO 411 | The Evolution of the Genus, Homo | 3 |
| ANTHRO 424 | Historical Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO 456 | Symbolic Anthropology | 3-4 |
| ANTHRO 458 | Primate Behavioral Ecology | 3 |
| ANTHRO/AMER IND/BOTANY 474 | Ethnobotany | 3-4 |
| ANTHRO 545 | Psychological Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO 603 | Seminar in Evolutionary Theory | 3 |
| ANTHRO 605 | Seminar-Current Problems in Paleoanthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO/PSYCH/ZOOLOGY 619 | Biology of Mind | 3 |
| ANTHRO 668 | Primate Conservation | 3 |
| ANTHRO 860 | History of Anthropological Theory | 3 |
| ANTHRO 900 | Fundamentals of Anthropological Theory | 3 |
| ANTHRO 909 | Research Methods and Research Design in Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO/GEN&WS 920 | Anthropology of Gender | 3 |
| ANTHRO/C&E SOC/ECON/SOC 925 | Seminar: Socio-Economic Change in Underdeveloped Areas | 2-3 |
| ANTHRO 940 | Seminar-Problems in Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO 942 | Seminar-Archaeological Problems | 3 |
| ANTHRO/A A E/C&E SOC/GEOG/HISTORY/LACIS/POLI SCI/PORTUG/SOC/SPANISH 982 | Interdepartmental Seminar in the Latin-American Area | 1-3 |
Qualifying Examinations
Students must complete qualifying examinations. The examination is tailored to a student’s particular research interest. It is a set of two written examinations, intended to evaluate both general anthropological knowledge and the specifics of the student’s interests. The exam is written and evaluated by the faculty committee. The committee may require a paper or thesis as evidence of research and writing skills.
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These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures and are updated continuously. Note some policies redirect to entries in the official UW-Madison Policy Library. Programs may set more stringent policies than the Graduate School. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Major-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions
With program approval, students are allowed to transfer no more than 9 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a master's degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison
No credits from an undergraduate degree are allowed to transfer toward the degree.
Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison
With program approval students are allowed to transfer no more than 9 credits of coursework numbered 300 or above taken as a UW–Madison University Special student. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a master's degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Probation
Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.
Progress criteria may be waived in special circumstances which must be stated in writing and approved by the appropriate section and signed by the department chair. Candidates not making satisfactory progress will be dropped from the program.
Advisor / Committee
Refer to the Graduate School: Advisor and Graduate School: Committees (Doctoral/Master’s/MFA) policies.
Credits Per Term Allowed
15 credit maximum. Refer to the Graduate School: Maximum Credit Loads and Overload Requests policy.
Time Limits
PhD qualifying examinations must be taken no later than the fourth semester and must be passed no later than the sixth semester.
Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
L&S Policy for Graduate Student Academic Appeals
Graduate students have the right to appeal an academic decision related to an L&S graduate program if the student believes that the decision is inconsistent with published policy.
Academic decisions that may be appealed include:
- Dismissal from the graduate program
- Failure to pass a qualifying or preliminary examination
- Failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress
- Academic disciplinary action related to failure to meet professional conduct standards
Issues such as the following cannot be appealed using this process:
- A faculty member declining to serve as a graduate student’s advisor.
- Decisions regarding the student’s disciplinary knowledge, evaluation of the quality of work, or similar judgements. These are the domain of the department faculty.
- Course grades. These can be appealed instead using the L&S Policy for Grade Appeal.
- Incidents of bias or hate, hostile and intimidating behavior, or discrimination (Title IX, Office of Compliance). Direct these to the linked campus offices appropriate for the incident(s).
Appeal Process for Graduate Students
A graduate student wishing to appeal an academic decision must follow the process in the order listed below. Note time limits within each step.
- The student should first seek informal resolution, if possible, by discussing the concern with their academic advisor, the department’s Director of Graduate Studies, and/or the department chair.
- If the program has an appeal policy listed in their graduate program handbook, the student should follow the policy as written, including adhering to any indicated deadlines. In the absence of a specific departmental process, the chair or designee will be the reviewer and decision maker, and the student should submit a written appeal to the chair within 15 business days of the academic decision. The chair or designee will notify the student in writing of their decision.
- If the departmental process upholds the original decision, the graduate student may next initiate an appeal to L&S. To do so, the student must submit a written appeal to the L&S Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Academic Affairs within 15 business days of notification of the department’s decision.
- To the fullest extent possible, the written appeal should include, in a single document: a clear and concise statement of the academic decision being appealed, any relevant background on what led to the decision, the specific policies involved, the relief sought, any relevant documentation related to the departmental appeal, and the names and titles of any individuals contributing to or involved in the decision.
- The Assistant Dean will work with the Academic Associate Dean of the appropriate division to consider the appeal. They may seek additional information and/or meetings related to the case.
- The Assistant Dean and Academic Associate Dean will provide a written decision within 20 business days.
- If L&S upholds the original decision, the graduate student may appeal to the Graduate School. More information can be found on their website: Grievances and Appeals (see: Graduate School Appeal Process).
Other
We have a limited amount of graduate student support through teaching assistantships and fellowships. These are awarded competitively and are only awarded to those applicants who have applied by submitting all of their materials by the admission deadline. For more information see the Anthropology funding webpage.
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Learning Outcomes
- Articulates, critiques, or elaborates the theories, research methods, and approaches to inquiry or schools of practice in either biological, archaeological, or cultural anthropology.
- Identifies relevant data and assembles evidence pertaining to questions or challenges in one of the three subfields of anthropology taught in this department.
- Demonstrates understanding of the primary field of study in historical, social, or global/transnational contexts as revealed in the qualifying exam.
- Selects and/or utilizes the most appropriate methodologies and practices in the sub-discipline.
- Evaluates or synthesizes information pertaining to questions or challenges in one of the three subfields of anthropology taught in this department.
- Communicates clearly in ways appropriate to the field of study.
- Follows ethical principles of the discipline including respect and sensitivity to host cultures and communities, inclusiveness and diversity, civility and collegiality, and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.