Masters in Anthropology
Online

A Master’s in Anthropology online program takes a broad view of the many diverse aspects of the human experience, known as ‘holism’, and looks deep into what constitutes our biological organisms, genetics, diet, and health. The program also compares humans with other animals (mostly other primates such as monkeys and chimpanzees) to see what is common and unique to us and archeologically explores history to see how humans lived thousands of years ago.

Anthropology degrees can focus on studying five common subfields – Archeology, Biological Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology, and Forensic Anthropology.

Masters in Anthropology Degree Types

Although very few colleges may offer a Master of Science or MS in Anthropology, it is predominantly the Master of Arts or MA in Anthropology commonly available in the United States. However, there are two variants of this Master’s in Anthropology online degree conferred – an Academic Anthropology Degree and an Applied Anthropology Degree. While the former is best suited for those who wish to take up teaching or pursue a Ph.D., the latter is better suited to individuals who prefer to research or work in the field.

Specializations in Masters in Anthropology Programs

Within the larger sphere of a Master’s in Anthropology online program, there are various specializations and concentrations students can choose from, to form a basis for their future Ph.D. studies or for meeting individual professional goals. Some of the specializations in the field of Anthropology include:

• Anthropology (General/Academic)
• Applied Anthropology
• Cultural Anthropology
• Forensic Anthropology
• Physical Anthropology
• Biological Anthropology
• Medical Anthropology
• Museum Anthropology
• Socio-cultural Anthropology
• Evolutionary Anthropology
• Critical Interventions in Theory and Ethnography
• Archaeology
• Nautical Archeology
• Ecology and Evolution
• Ethnography

Concentrations include:

• Health, Medicine, and Humanity
• Race, Difference, and Power
• Global Engagement
• Social Formations and Processes
• Heritage and Unwritten Histories
• Food, Environment, and Sustainability

Curriculum and Skills Gained in Masters in Anthropology Online Programs

Online Anthropology courses of an Anthropology Degree vary by college and by the sub-field one may have opted for. As is generally the case, students will have to take up basic coursework, methodology, electives, and sometimes a project or thesis as well.

Here are some courses related to anthropology that usually make up the curriculum of a Master’s in Anthropology online program:

• Foundations of Anthropological Theory and Method
• Anthropological Research Design
• Animals and Humans
• Social and Cultural Theory
• Advanced Seminar in Archeology, Theory, and Practice
• Advanced Seminar in Cultural Anthropology
• Advanced Quantitative Methods in Anthropology
• Advanced Ethnographic Research Methods
• Human Osteology and Lab
• Computer-Assisted Data Analysis in Anthropology
• Applied Anthropology
• Food and Culture
• Mayan Archeology
• Aztec Archeology
• Ethnographic Field Work
• Language and Cultural Cognition

Graduates of a Master’s in Anthropology online degree will develop and demonstrate a whole set of skills that include but are not limited to:

• the ability to identify and engage with analytical, philosophical, and real-world issues, as well as draw relevant conclusions;
• the creation and deployment of the techniques of ethnography, as a research approach and method;
• the use of advanced expertise and theoretical basis in each of the subfields of Anthropology;
• recognition of the importance of Anthropological study in social, political, and economic discussions; and
• the expertise to use oral and written communication and persuasive argumentation.

Accreditation for Masters in Anthropology Online Programs

Since the study of Anthropology can be narrowed down to one of its subfields or a specific concentration, the program in question should be endorsed and attested by a relevant department, agency, or organization. An example of such an accreditation organization is the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB) for Forensic Anthropology. This makes the course or degree of value and adds recognition for it in the job market. It is for this reason that finding an accredited Master’s in Anthropology online program is imperative. Having said that, if Programmatic Accreditation is hard to come by, one should at least check to see if the college one is applying to is accredited at the regional or national level. There is much to know and learn about accreditation, and students should understand its importance.

Timeline for graduation from Masters in Anthropology Online Programs

The length of any Master’s degree is determined by a variety of variables, including the structure and format of the program, as well as any additional university-specific criteria. Be that as it may, in most cases, a Master’s in Anthropology online program takes about 1 to 2 years to complete.

In terms of credit hours, many colleges require a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of approved courses and research for a thesis-based MA Anthropology degree. For the non-thesis option, a minimum of 36 semester credit hours of approved courses is usually required.

In general, full-time students can expect to graduate well within one year, while part-time students may require at least two or more years to complete the program.

Masters in Anthropology Online Programs Admission Requirements

For almost all Master’s in Anthropology online programs, the admissions requirements are largely the same. That said, there could very well be additional requirements and prerequisites that some colleges may ask for. Reading the program guide is always advisable to check for exact details. Here is a snapshot of a Master’s in Anthropology requirements (not all may be required by some colleges):

• Application Form with its Prescribed Fee.
• Academic Transcripts.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
• Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose indicating Study, Research, and Career Objectives.
• A 2-page Essay or Sample Research Paper to demonstrate Research and Writing Skills.
• 2 to 3 Letters of Recommendation.

In general, applicants with Bachelor’s Degrees in medicine, psychiatry, foreign affairs, international relations, business, library science, social work, the arts, demography, theology, architecture, law, planning, community affairs, criminology, and linguistics and are encouraged to apply for admission to a Master’s in Anthropology online program.

For those students who have a Grade Point Average (GPA) less than 3.0, colleges may ask for a GRE score that is at or above the 50th percentile on two of the three portions of the test.

There are no Universities that offer a Master’s in Anthropology online, free of cost. However, many of them conduct free Anthropology classes that can be of immense help to graduate students or for research work. Some of the resources to find free courses and lessons on Anthropology are:

1. MIT OpenCourseWare
   Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s OpenCourseWare offers a few free Anthropology Courses at the graduate level.
2. EdX
   EdX has courses on topics such as Gender & Sexuality, Evolutionary Medicine, Past, Present and Future of Urban Life, and more.
3. Class Central
   Class Central has a compilation of some 80+ courses, some of which are from Harvard University, University of North Carolina, Princeton University, and others.
4. Coursesity
   Coursesity is another great place for free Anthropology courses online, many of which come with a Certificate.