Master of Arts in Anthropology - Applied Emphasis

The coursework required for this graduate degree focuses on a practitioner-oriented internship plan devoted to preparing students to enter the expanding job market in applied anthropology. The required coursework includes completion of an internship (requiring registration for 3 credits in the summer prior to the first year) that involves research, intervention, management, teaching, and advocacy in service to agencies, groups and organizations. It culminates in the writing and successful defense of a thesis. This action-oriented plan prepares students for professional employment within their specialty area or continued opportunities at the Ph.D. level. The requirement of an internship that involves research, intervention, management, teaching, and advocacy in service to groups and organizations presents opportunities to the graduate student to gain experience in practical application in the fields of archaeology, sociocultural anthropology, or linguistic anthropology. Archaeological and cultural research possibilities among the many Native American tribes and nations of the Colorado Plateau and the American Southwest informs the graduate student in their chosen field. International opportunities are available in North America, Mesoamerica, South America, and Europe. Sociocultural Anthropology coursework trains students in ethnographic methods, collaborative research approaches and working with indigenous communities at the local, regional, national, and international levels. Opportunities exist in the areas of medical, development, educational and pedagogical anthropology. Archaeology trains students in theory, methods, advanced archaeological computing applications, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), lithic, ceramic, rock art, and a number of other materials specialties, as well as cultural resource management.