2013-2014

Anthropology - Research, Master of Arts

Department of Anthropology

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This graduate plan allows students to pursue independently designed research goals that culminate in the writing and successful defense of a thesis. Our program has been highly success in providing students with opportunities to further their professional and academic development in anthropology at the Ph.D. level.

  • Available Emphasis Areas:
  • Archaeology - Emphasis (ending Summer 2015)
  • Sociocultural - Emphasis (ending Summer 2015)
  • Linguistics - Emphasis (ending Summer 2015)
This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2020

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Core Coursework (4 units)
  • Research Emphasis Coursework (33-34 units)

Minimum Units for Completion 37 - 38
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Emphasis, Minor, or Certificate Required

An emphasis, minor, or certificate is required for this major.
Thesis Thesis is required.
Oral Defense Oral Defense is required.
Research Individualized research is required.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

    • Two letters of recommendation
    • Prerequisites (may be completed concurrently with the program)
      • Classes in archaeology, cultural, linguistics, biological and statistics
    • Resume or curriculum vitae
    • Personal statement or essay
Master's Requirements

  • Take the following 37 - 38 units:

    Core Coursework (4 units)

    Research Emphasis Coursework (33-34 units)
    • ANT 605
    • Thesis: ANT 699 for the research, writing, and oral defense of an approved thesis. Please note: you may count only 6 units of thesis credit toward your degree, however you may end up taking more than 6 thesis units, since you must register for it each semester while you are working on your thesis. (6 units)
    • Complete a focus area, as further described below (24-25 units):

      • Archaeology Focus (24 units)
        • ANT 635, ANT 636 (6 units)
        • 18 units of archaeology electives, of which 12 units must be organized around a theme or emphasis. You may not count more than 6 units of individualized studies. (18 units)
      • Sociocultural Focus (25 units)
        • ANT 568, ANT 569 (6 units)
        • Additional formal coursework, of which 12 units must be organized around a theme, NOT to include: ANT 608, ANT 685, ANT 697, or ANT 699 (15 units)
        • ANT 698 (1 unit)
        • Select one additional course, with your advisor's guidance (3 units)

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.