MA/MS in Anthropology

Anthropology studies how people differ, today and historically, bridging humanistic, natural-science, and social-science approaches. This master's degree blends humanistic and scientific perspectives and shows that its holder can combine varied data about people. The program uses resources in the nation's capital, including a long relationship with the Smithsonian Institution. Students can study and work with communities of refugees and immigrants, policymakers, nongovernmental organizations, news media, and scientific and educational groups. Three optional concentrations exist. International development addresses world problems like hunger, health, and economic change, and is a non-thesis path normally completed in two years. Museum training prepares students for curatorial and scholarly museum work and includes internships. Health, science, and society covers medical anthropology as well as the study of science and technology. Anyone interested in biological anthropology is steered toward the separate master's in human paleobiology.