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 thus 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
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 academic progress and degree requirements, 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. Students in the Archaeology, Biological, or Intersectional concentrations will work with their advisor and the department executive committee to determine if the coursework they take meets the requirements for a Master of Science. If students are interested in the Cultural concentration, they should see information about the Master of Arts.
Archaeology Concentration Pathway1
Student must complete a total of 30 credits of graduate coursework, including three seminars (ANTHRO 942) in archaeology. Substitutions for the required seminars in archaeology are not normally allowed.
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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
Student must complete a total of 30 credits of graduate coursework. The following courses are strongly recommended in preparation for the general section of the qualifying examination:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTHRO 303 | Human Skeletal Anatomy | 4 |
| ANTHRO 601 | Proseminar in Biological Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO 603 | Seminar in Evolutionary Theory | 3 |
| GENETICS 466 | Principles of Genetics | 3 |
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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
There are no specific courses required; students choose courses in consultation with their advisors.
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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 provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. 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 a UW–Madison undergraduate degree are allowed to transfer to fulfill degree requirements.
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 credits
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)
Students should contact the department chair or program director with questions about grievances. They may also contact the L&S Academic Divisional Associate Deans, the L&S Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning Administration, or the L&S Director of Human Resources.
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 admissions 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.