Degrees :: M.A. in Applied Anthropology

Mission

The M.A. program in Applied Anthropology trains students in the application of all fields of anthropological scholarship to human problems, leading to careers in practice and/or preparing them for further study. It stresses rigorous education in theory and practice, and the development of applied research skills.

Initiated in 1974, it was the first in the nation to focus on career training for the practice of applied anthropology. Faculty specializations include medical anthropology, human biology, urban policy and community development, educational anthropology, media studies, ethnic policies and heritage, economic development, immigration, archaeology, cultural resource management, gender, environment, applied linguistics, and archaeological science. Geographic specializations emphasize the Caribbean, Latin America, United States, and Sub-Saharan Africa. More than 200 graduates have received an education in anthropology and its practical uses, leading to employment in government and private-sector agencies and organizations. For many, the MA is a terminal degree that qualifies them for professional careers in administration, program evaluation, planning, research, and cultural resource management. Others have gone on to earn doctoral degrees and have gained employment in academic or higher level nonacademic positions.

Master’s level education at USF has three emphases – Cultural, Biological and Archaeology, although these three tracks share some common requirements, and all are bound by general rules of the Graduate School, they have different curricula and employment trajectories.

Archaeology track graduates typically enter careers in contract archaeology, or public and private agencies responsible for managing archaeological resources. The Cultural track is designed to lead to employment in diverse areas that include health care, education, urban planning, human services, private sector consulting and research, and non-governmental community organizations. Museum and heritage programming represent areas of overlap between the two emphases. The Biological track offers focused training in methods and theories of applied biological anthropology, preparing students for careers in government and non-governmental agencies, community-based organizations, and medical fields.

Admission Requirements:

A B.A. with a major in Anthropology is preferred. However, the program at USF emphasizes multidisciplinary training and collaborative research, and promising students from other fields are encouraged to apply. Students without an Anthropology background will be required to complete four prerequisite undergraduate courses (or their equivalent from another institution): Cultural Anthropology (ANT 2410), Biological Anthropology (ANT 2511), Anthropological Linguistics (ANT 3610), and Archaeology (ANT 3101).

Degree Requirements:

Course requirements for each track differ, as described below. However, requirements and expectation for the internships and thesis are identical. The program results in only one graduate degree: the M.A. in Applied Anthropology.

The program consists of 30 credits of coursework, plus internship (4 credits) and thesis (6 credits), for a total of 40 credits.

Cultural Track Requirements

ANG 5486 Quantitative Methods in Applied Anthropology: Basic statistical analysis and use of statistical computing packages. All MA students are expected to enroll in and satisfactorily complete this course. Offered annually, usually in Fall.

ANG 6931 Foundations of Applied Anthropology: A foundational course focusing on the philosophical and epistemological roots of anthropology and the examination of selected topics that draws from the subfields of Anthropology. To continue in the graduate program, students must earn a minimum grade of B in this course. (3 credits). Offered annually in the Fall.

ANG 6701 Contemporary Applied Anthropology: A critical survey of Applied Anthropology as practiced today in the major branches of Anthropology, focusing on Applied Medical, and Urban Anthropology. (3 credits). Offered Fall and Spring.

ANG 6766 Research Methods in Applied Anthropology: Research design, data collection, and data analysis for applied anthropologists. (3 credits). Offered Fall and Spring. Students may take the Field Methods for Community Health Summer Field School in Costa Rica (6 credits) in lieu of ANG 6766. Please consult with your advisor.

Elective Courses

In addition to the four (4) required courses outlined above, all students must complete five (5) additional graduate seminars in Anthropology (numbered at the 5000, 6000, or 7000 level, worth at least 3 credit hours each). Elective courses should be chosen in consultation with the advisor. No more than 4 credits may be taken through Independent Study and/or Directed Readings. Elective courses are typically offered every two years.

Students are also required to enroll in at least one (1) graduate level course worth at least 3 credit hours in a department other than Anthropology, selected on the basis of the student’s particular interests and in consultation with the advisor.

Archaeology Track Requirements

Students are expected to have archaeological field school training before beginning graduate school or to obtain it very soon after. USF offers one or more archaeological field schools each summer, but the student should be prepared to participate in an outside field school depending on circumstances.

Required Courses

ANG 6931 Foundations of Applied Anthropology: Explores philosophical foundations of anthropology and offers integrated examination of selected topics, drawing from the subfields. To continue in the program, students are required to earn a minimum grade of B in this course. (3 credits)

ANG 6198 Seminar in Archaeological Methods: An advanced critical survey of archaeological methods. (3 credits). Offered annually.

ANG 6196 Archaeological Theory and Current Issues: Methodology and theory in archaeology, analysis, interpretation of data. (3 credits). Offered annually.

ANG 6197 Public Archaeology: Current topical issues in Public Archaeology including Cultural Resources Management. (3 credits). Offered annually.

Elective Courses

Regional and Topical Studies in Archaeology: Six credit hours (two courses) are required. Regular offerings include European Prehistory; Mediterranean Archaeology; Florida Archaeology; South American Archaeology; Historical Archaeology; Environmental Archaeology; North American Archaeology; Southwest Archaeology; Mesoamerican Archaeology; Archaeological Science.

One graduate-level physical anthropology course, often cross-listed with 4000-level versions of human evolution, human variation, osteology, or forensic anthropology. (3 credits)

Other electives may be drawn from any offerings in the Department. No more than 4 credits may be taken through Independent Study and/or Directed Readings.

Biological Track Requirements

Required Courses

ANG 5486 Quantitative Methods in Applied Anthropology: (3) This course is an introduction to quantitative methods for the anthropologist covering both classical statistical approaches and exploratory data analysis, using computer with statistical software. Offered annually.

ANG 6931 Foundations of Applied Anthropology: An integrated examination of selected topics that draws from the subfields of Anthropology. To continue in the graduate program, students must earn a minimum grade of B in this course. (3 credits). Offered annually in Fall.

ANG 6766 Research Methods in Applied Anthropology: Research design, data collection, and data analysis for applied anthropologists. (3 credits). Offered Fall and Spring. Students may take Field Methods for Community Health Summer Field School (6 credits) which is held in Costa Rica in lieu of ANG 6766. Please consult with your advisor.

ANG 6511/6588 Human Variation: This course is designed to provide students with an overview of human genetic, phenotypic, and demographic variation from both evolutionary and bio-cultural perspectives (3 credits). Offered annually.

ANG 6469/ANG 6511 Theory and Methods in Applied Bioanthropology: The goal of this course is to examine major theories and some of the methods in biological anthropology and their application to contemporary issues and problems (3 credits). Offered annually.

Elective Courses

All students must complete three (3) additional graduate seminars in Anthropology (numbered at the 5000, 6000, or 7000 level, worth at least 3 credit hours each). Elective courses should be chosen in consultation with the advisor. No more than 4 credits may be taken through Independent Study and/or Directed Readings. Elective courses are typically offered every two years.

Students must complete three (3) additional graduate seminars in Anthropology (courses within the department numbered at the 5000, 6000, or 7000 level that are worth at least 3 credit hours each satisfy this requirement). Elective courses should be chosen on the basis of particular interests and/or skill requirements appropriate for the student’s general plans for thesis research, and should be selected in consultation with the advisor.

Requirements for all MA students

For full details, please consult the Handbook on Advising and Program Issues

Internship/Research

Students must enroll in a minimum of 4 credit hours of ANG 6915 (Internship). The internship is expected to be the equivalent of a full time effort for at least one academic semester.

Colloquium Presentation

All M.A. students are required to present at the annual colloquium as a condition of graduation.

Thesis

Students must enroll in a minimum of 6 credits of ANG 6971 (Thesis).