Anthropology Master's Degree

Admission to Program

The Department accepts applications for fall semester enrollments only. Applications for fall admissions should be submitted by February 15. Applications received after the February 15 deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis.

While we welcome applications from students with a wide range of experiences and a diversity of undergraduate degrees, we recommend that applicants have a B.A. or B.S. in Anthropology or an allied field. Students enrolling without an anthropology degree may be required to take the following prerequisite classes or equivalents.

Students may satisfy the prerequisite requirement by having taken similar classes at the undergraduate level at their undergraduate or other institution. Prerequisite coursework will not count toward the degree and may not be included on the ATC.

All application materials are submitted through the CalApply System.

Tips for navigating the online system:

1. There are four sections in the online application, first, fill out the Personal History Section
2. In the Academic History Section, opt out of transcript entry and GPA entry.
3. In the Supporting Materials Section: Enter work experience, awards for relevant achievements, if any. For the Statement of Purpose write: "Uploaded to Program Materials Section".
4. Use the Program Materials Section to upload all documents (transcripts, writing samples, etc).

For more detailed instructions on using the online CalApply system, see the Division of Graduate Studies website.

If you have any questions about the Program Materials (especially with respect to your Statement of Purpose), contact the graduate admissions coordinator in Anthropology by email at anthroma@sfsu.edu.

CalApply will request the following Program Materials. These are the documents that the Department of Anthropology will use to review your application.

• One-page Curriculum Vitae;
• Statement of Purpose (500 words max.);
• Two Letters of Recommendation;
• Writing Sample;
• Official Transcripts;
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores; and
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if necessary.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Possess advanced knowledge and understanding of the concepts and theories of the three sub-disciplines covered by the Department.
2. Have the ability to analyze and evaluate complex data about human biological and cultural systems.
3. Have the ability to employ a comparative approach and make meaningful cross-cultural comparisons.
4. Demonstrate an advanced ability to perform all phases of anthropological fieldwork in one of the three sub-disciplines, including but not restricted to archaeological fieldwork, collection of biological data, ethnographic participant observation, interviewing, audio-visual, and archival research methods.
5. Have skills at levels sufficiently high to allow them access to Ph.D. programs in their sub-field, or move directly into professional employment in their sub-discipline.