Application dates

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology

Admission to the Program: Formal admission to the major by the department's undergraduate studies director requires a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) and a grade point average of 2.00 or higher in two anthropology courses.

Major Requirements: A total of 48 credit hours with grades of C or better. If a student's career plans require skill in a foreign language, a cluster of courses in a second discipline, field experience, or some other special preparation, arrangements will be made in discussion with the undergraduate advisor.

For University and Course Requirements, consult the University Catalog.

University Honors Program: Students in the University Honors Program have the opportunity to graduate with University Honors in the major. To do so, students complete 12 hours of advanced-level Honors work in the department, including a Senior Honors Thesis and, upon departmental recommendation, graduate with University Honors in the major. See the section on the University Honors Program in the American University catalog for further details.

Undergraduate Requirements for a Major in Anthropology

Core Courses (27 credit hours)
ANTH-250/ANTH-250G Human Origins 5:2 (3)
ANTH-251 Perspectives in Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANTH-253 Introduction to Archaeology (3)
ANTH-254 Language and Culture (3)
ANTH-339 Culture Area Analysis (3)
ANTH-440 Contemporary Ethnographies (3)
ANTH-450 Anthropology of Power (3)
ANTH-552 Anthropological Research Methods (3)

Fieldwork (3 credit hours from the following)
ANTH-392 Cooperative Education Field Experience (3-9)
ANTH-491 Internship in Anthropology (1-6)
ANTH-550 Ethnographic Field Methods (3)
ANTH-560 Summer Field School: Archaeology (3-9)
Other fieldwork, including study abroad programs or community service learning projects, may be used with the approval of the student’s advisor.

Elective Courses (18 credit hours)
18 credit hours from the following with a minimum of 12 credit hours at the 300 level or above:
ANTH-210/ANTH-210G Roots of Racism and Interracial Harmony 3:2 (3)
ANTH-215/ANTH-215G Sex, Gender, and Culture 3:2 (3)
ANTH-220/ANTH-220G Living in Multicultural Societies 3:2 (3)
ANTH-225/ANTH-225G Language and Human Experience 1:2 (3)
ANTH-230/ANTH-230G India: Its Living Traditions 3:2 (3)
ANTH-235/ANTH-235G Early American: The Buried Past 2:2 (3)
ANTH-334 Environmental Justice (3)
ANTH-337 Anthropology of Genocide (3)
ANTH-350 Special Topics (3)
ANTH-430 Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion (3)
ANTH-431 Taboos
ANTH-498 Senior Thesis in Anthropology (3-6)
ANTH-531 Archaeology (3)
ANTH-532 Changing Culture (3)
ANTH-534 Class and Culture (3)
ANTH-535 Ethnicity and Nationalism (3)
ANTH-537 Topics in Language and Culture (3)
ANTH-542 Reinventing Applied Anthropology (3)
ANTH-543 Anthropology of Development (3)
ANTH-544 Topics in Public Anthropology (3)

Undergraduate Requirements for a Minor in Anthropology

18 credit hours with grades of C or better and at least 12 credit hours unique to the minor

Course Requirements
ANTH-251 Perspectives in Cultural Anthropology (3)
Two courses from the following:
ANTH-250/ANTH-250G Human Origins 5:2 (3)
ANTH-253 Introduction to Archaeology (3)
ANTH-254 Language and Culture (3)
An additional 9 credit hours at the 300 level or above chosen in consultation with an advisor

Undergraduate Requirements for a Minor in Public Anthropology

18 credit hours with grades of C or better with at least 12 credit hours unique to the minor

Course Requirements
ANTH- 251 Perspectives in Cultural Anthropology (3)
ANTH-542 Reinventing Applied Anthropology (3) (taken after completion of at least 6 credit hours in anthropology)
An additional 12 credit hours with at least 9 credit hours at the 300 level or above, chosen from at least two subfields (socio-cultural, linguistic, archaeological, physical) in consultation with an advisor.

Undergraduate Certificate in Public Anthropology

Admission to the Program: Open to undergraduate degree and non-degree students. Students must complete 6 credit hours with grades of C or better in anthropology courses at the 200 level or above, or have internship experience in a related field before beginning course work for the certificate.

Certificate Requirements: 15 credit hours of approved course work with at least 9 credit hours at the 300-level or above, with grades of C or better. Grades of C- or D in certificate program courses are not accepted toward the fulfillment of certificate requirements, although these grades will be included in the calculation of the GPA. Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA in certificate courses in order to be awarded a certificate. Students in certificate programs must take a minimum of 6 credit hours during each 12-month period and complete the certificate in four years. International students must enroll in 12 credit hours each semester (except for summer). A maximum of 3 credit hours earned at an accredited college or university may be applied toward the certificate as transfer credit.

Course Requirements
ANTH- 541 Anthropology and State Policy (3)
ANTH-542 Reinventing Applied Anthropology (3)
9 credit hours in public anthropology courses at the 300 level or above, chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.

Combined BA/MA in Anthropology

This program is primarily but not solely designed for transfer students who enter the American University in their junior year with substantial background in anthropology. It allows eligible students to complete the B.A. in Anthropology and the M.A. in Public Anthropology after three years (6 semesters) of uninterrupted study. Students with interest in applied anthropology or in a field related to anthropology, such as law, social services, government service, or public health, find this degree combination especially appropriate for pre-professional training.

Admission to the Program: The standards for admission to the undergraduate major must first be satisfied. Undergraduate majors ordinarily apply at the end of their junior year. Admission decisions follow the procedures used to evaluate graduate applicants to the M.A. programs.

Requirements include: All requirements for the B.A. in Anthropology; all requirements for either the M.A. in Public Anthropology. Students may use 6 credit hours of course work at the 500-level or above in anthropology to satisfy the requirements for both degrees.

Graduate Programs

Master of Arts in Public Anthropology

Mission Statement:
The MA Program in Public Anthropology prepares students in archaeology and cultural/social anthropology for careers in public service, community organizing and social advocacy. Through coursework, research projects and internship experiences, students explore the workings of culture, power and history in everyday life and acquire skills in critical inquiry, problem solving and public communication. Coursework in related fields - Sociology, Public History, Education, International Development, Justice, Law and Society - enhances these perspectives and skills. Program graduates are prepared for employment in the DC area, other US locations and international settings. They work with projects in such areas as cultural resource management, women's and minority health, educational equity, refugee resettlement, human rights and environmental justice.

Admission to the Program: M.A students may focus their graduate studies in Cultural/Social Anthropology or in Archaeology. Both concentrations combine classroom and experiential/field-based learning activities as appropriate for each student's career plans and political goals. Personal statements should follow the guidelines as posted under the "Preparing a Personal Statement" section under the "Prospective Students" button on this site. Pathways after graduation will range widely and include working as researchers, public intellectuals, community leaders, and grassroots organizers. All graduates will be prepared to engage the possibilities of anthropological theory and method for illuminating social problems, past and present, articulating social justice, and building social change. The GRE is required, and scores should be sent directly to the department.

Degree and Major Requirements: A total of 30 credit hours of approved graduate work, chosen from the list of courses below. ANTH-632 and ANTH-552 are required of all students. Relevant courses from other departments or schools may also count for the master’s degree with approval of your academic advisor.
-One written comprehensive examination, as appropriate to the student's degree concentration
-A thesis or non-thesis option of two substantial research papers prepared in conjunction with advanced courses or research seminar, read and approved by two faculty members and the department chair.

Tracks
Cultural/Social Anthropology or Archaeology

Required courses
ANTH-632 Contemporary Theory: Culture, Power, History
ANTH-552 Anthropological Research Methods

Cultural/Social Anthropology
At least 18 credits from the following courses, chosen in consultation with your advisor: No more than 6 credits can be taken from ANTH 691 and ANTH 797:
ANTH-531 Topics in Archaeology
ANTH-532 Changing Culture
ANTH-534 Class and Culture
ANTH-535 Ethnicity and Nationalism
ANTH-537 Topics in Language and Culture
ANTH-541 Anthropology and State Policy
ANTH 542 Reinventing Applied Anthropology
ANTH-543 Anthropology of Development
ANTH-544 Topics in Public Anthropology
ANTH-550 Ethnographic Field Methods
ANTH-631 Foundations of Social and Cultural Anthropology
ANTH 634 Foundations of Archaeology
ANTH-635 Race, Gender, & Social Justice
ANTH-637 Discourse, Text and Voice
ANTH-640 Current Issues in Anthropology
ANTH-691 Internship
ANTH-797 Master's Thesis Seminar (thesis option)
6 credit hours of approved graduate course work from another discipline, such as history, sociology, communication, or international service.

Archaeology
ANTH-533 Cultural Resources Management or
ANTH-536 Archaeology and Politics
ANTH-634 Foundations of Archaeology
12 credit hours from the following as approved by the student’s advisor. Students without field archaeology experience are strongly encouraged to take ANTH-560 Summer Field School: Archaeology
ANTH-531 Topics in Archaeology
ANTH-532 Changing Culture
ANTH-533 Cultural Resources Management
ANTH-534 Class and Culture
ANTH-535 Ethnicity and Nationalism
ANTH-536 Archaeology and Politics
ANTH-537 Topics in Language and Culture
ANTH-541 Anthropology and State Policy
ANTH 542 Reinventing Applied Anthropology
ANTH-543 Anthropology of Development
ANTH-544 Topics in Public Anthropology
ANTH-550 Ethnographic Field Methods
ANTH-560 Summer Field School: Archaeology
ANTH-590 Independent Reading in Anthropology
ANTH-631 Foundations of Social and Cultural Anthropology
ANTH-635 Race, Gender, & Social Justice
ANTH-637 Discourse, Text and Voice
ANTH-639 Culture Area Analysis
ANTH-640 Current Issues in Anthropology
ANTH-690 Independent Study Project in Anthropology
ANTH-691 Internship
ANTH-797 Master's Thesis Seminar (thesis option)
6 credit hours of approved graduate course work from another discipline, such as history, sociology, communication, economics, mathematics and statistics, computer science, information systems, business and public affairs.

Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology

Mission Statement:
The PhD Program in Anthropology provides opportunities for advanced study in critical/community archaeology; in race, gender and social justice (with the Department of Sociology); and in poverty, development and displacement. Coursework draws on anthropology's four-field tradition and on the cross-cultural and interdisciplinary resources within CAS and across the university. Dissertations in archaeology and cultural/social anthropology examine the dynamics of culture, power and history in North America, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and the Middle East. Program graduates pursue careers in college teaching and in public and private settings outside of academe. The program is committed to working with students from diverse backgrounds, including those traditionally under-represented in higher education. Diverse voices and perspectives are fundamental to this program.

The PhD in Anthropology, the highest academic degree in our field, is the degree of choice for you if you plan a career as a professional researcher; if you want to teach in a college or a university; or if you hope to work as a consultant to business, industry or government.
Our department offers doctoral-level training in urban anthropology; ethnicity; the anthropology of work; the anthropology of development; language, culture and cognition; gender and culture; cross-cultural quantitative analysis; and historic and public archaeology. We encourage our doctoral students to explore policy-oriented questions as well as more traditional, academic themes in any of the areas. Students will find ample opportunities for developing skills in applied anthropology with our doctoral program.

Admission to the Program: Applicants must meet the minimum university requirements for admission to graduate study. Admission is based on academic record, three academic letters of reference, and an example of the applicant's work, e.g., a term paper. The GRE is required, and scores should be sent directly to the department. Personal statements should follow the guidelines as posted under the "Preparing a Personal Statement" section under the "Prospective Students" button on this site. An undergraduate major in anthropology is not required.

Degree Requirements: A total of 72 credit hours of approved graduate work. Students entering the program with an M.A. in Anthropology earned elsewhere must complete at least 30 credit hours of course work and no more than 12 credit hours of dissertation credit in residence, four comprehensive examinations, a dissertation and an oral defense. Field work is a component of dissertation research except in very unusual cases. Two languages or one language and statistical or computer analysis is used as a tool of research.

Course Requirements: Proseminar: Cultural and Social Anthropology; Proseminar: Archaeology and Physical Anthropology; Proseminar: Anthropological Linguistics; Doctoral Dissertation Seminar

PhD Concentration in Race, Gender, Social Justice

The Department of Anthropology offers a Ph.D. concentration in Race, Gender, and Social Justice, in cooperation with the Department of Sociology and other campus teaching units. Coursework, internships and dissertation projects assume a foundation in anthropological theory and method, build on that foundation to explore the complex intersections of race, class, gender and sexuality in historical and contemporary settings, and use those perspectives to advance equality and social justice. The mission statement for this concentration is listed above, under Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology. Degree requirements are listed below. For more information, contact the program coordinator in the Department of Anthropology.

Admission to the Program: Admission to the Race, Gender, and Social Justice concentration assumes the candidate has earned a 30-hour MA in Anthropology or an affiliated field. Candidates with MA's in other academic fields may find they want to enroll in additional course work in anthropology before beginning their advanced course work in Race, Gender, and Social Justice. Required hours in anthropology can be adjusted, as appropriate, to accommodate such needs.

Degree and Major Requirements: At least 30 hours of course work and no more than 12 credit hours of dissertation credit. Two languages or one language and statistical or computer analysis in a field of research, four comprehensive examinations, and at least two written and at least one oral.

Examinations include: Anthropological Foundations, Current Issues in Race, Gender, and Social Justice Studies I & II, and Defense of Dissertation Proposal
Course Requirements:
12 hours of core courses
ANTH-632 Contemporary theory: Culture, Power, and History
ANTH-635 Race, Gender and Social Justice
ANTH-552 Anthropological Research Methods A second course in research methods, chosen in consultation with advisor
12 hours of anthropology-based course work in Race, Gender & Social Justice studies, chosen in consultation with the student's advisor, from such courses as:
ANTH-531 Topics in Archaeology: Archaeology and Politics
ANTH-532 Changing Culture ANTH-535 Ethnicity and Nationalism
ANTH-537 Topics in Language and Culture: Language, Literacy and Schooling
ANTH-541 Anthropology and State Policy
ANTH-542 Reinventing Applied Anthropology
ANTH-544 Topics in Public Anthropology: Environmental Justice, Human Rights
ANTH-637 Discourse, Text and Voice
ANTH-640 Current Issues in Anthropology.
15 hours of course work in at least two cooperating teaching units, including Justice, Law, and Society; History; School of International Service, Sociology
ANTH-691 Internship in Anthropology or other practical experience in race, gender, and social justice
6 hours of dissertation seminar (including a 3 hour of capstone seminar in RG&SJ Studies)
The department encourages inquiries from persons who are interested in the area of anthropology but are uncertain about pursuing a graduate degree. By calling the department at (202) 885-1830, you can become more familiar with the anthropology courses and the undergraduate and graduate programs.

Graduate Certificate in Public Anthropology

Admission to the Program: Open to students with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution. Students must complete 6 credit hours with grades of C or better in anthropology courses at the 200 level or above, or have internship experience in a related field before beginning course work for the certificate.

Certificate Requirements: 15 credit hours of approved course work with at least 6 credit hours at the 600-level or above, with grades of C or better. Grades of C- or D in certificate program courses are not accepted toward the fulfillment of certificate requirements, although these grades will be included in the calculation of the GPA. Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA in certificate courses in order to be awarded a certificate. Students in certificate programs must take a minimum of 6 credit hours during each 12-month period and complete the certificate in four years. International students must enroll in 12 credit hours each semester (except for summer). A maximum of 3 credit hours earned at an accredited college or university may be applied toward the certificate as transfer credit.

Course Requirements
ANTH- 541 Anthropology and State Policy (3)
or
ANTH-542 Reinventing Applied Anthropology (3)
9 credit hours in graduate public anthropology courses with at least 6 credit hours at the 600 level or above, chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.

Application Dates

UNDERGRADUATE STUDY

Freshman
Fall (US and International):
Early Decision - November 15th
General Admission - February 1st

Spring:
US - December 1st
International - September 1st

Summer:
US – April 1st

Transfer
Fall:
US – July 1st (March 1st to be considered for merit or need-based financial aid)
International – May 1st

Spring:
US – November 1st
International – September 1st

Summer:
US – April 1st
Applications that are received by February 1st will be notified of the decision by April 1st. Early decision applicants are notified by December 31st.

GRADUATE STUDY

Fall:
For fellowship consideration - January 15
General Admission (US and International) - February 1

Spring: October 1

Applicants will be notified of the decision as applications are reviewed after the deadline and up until June 1st. There is no set date that you will receive notification of admission or denial.