Program Description

Application Requirements

Program-Specific Instructions

Additional Information

Applicants to the MA in anthropology must have 3 credits of sociocultural anthropology before applying to the program.

The program also requires a 1,000-word writing sample such as an essay or full-length research paper.

Regarding the goals statement, the key is to (1) show how your background studies (in your undergraduate degree, for instance; or current work) have led you to want to deepen your knowledge of the discipline of anthropology and undertake research at the Master's level in anthropology and (2) describe the topic or questions your eventual MA research project might focus on. The statement should also (3) describe what it is about our program that makes you think it would be a good fit for you, and (4) mention one or two faculty members you would like to work with and why. MA students in our program work closely with one or two professors as they complete their thesis or project, so it is important to study the anthropology faculty research areas and publications before applying to the program. A professor’s research area could be a good fit depending on the area of the world she or he studies, but equally in terms of the themes, topics, and/or research methods he or she employs. There is no page limit but most goals statements run between 3 to 4 pages double-spaced.

Academically strong Mason undergraduates with a commitment to research or graduate or professional studies can apply for an accelerated Master’s program and earn a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in as little as five years.

Accelerated Master’s Application Requirements

Accelerated Master’s Program-Specific Instructions

See CHSS website for Additional Information.

Preparing to Apply

Prior to submitting your application, meet with the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s (BAM) Coordinator, director of your undergraduate program and with the director of the master’s program. 

• Applicants to the accelerated MA in anthropology must also have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 with a minimum GPA of 3.50 in anthropology courses
• Applicants must have completed ANTH 390 prior to entering the program
• Applicants must submit:
  • Transcript
  • Two recommendation letters from faculty in the department
  • Curriculum vitae (a resume which details academic accomplishments)
• Goals statement should:
  • show how your background studies (in your undergraduate degree, for instance) have led you to want to deepen your knowledge of the discipline of anthropology and undertake research at the Master's level in anthropology
    • mention one or two faculty members you would like to work with and why
  • describe the topic or questions your eventual MA research project might focus on
  • describe what it is about our program that makes you think it would be a good fit for you
• Go over schedule for completion of the undergraduate degree
• Plan appropriate graduate course work
• Be familiar with the: policies for accelerated master's programs 

English Proficiency Requirements

All Mason students must have a full command of academic English to be successful in their studies. For this reason, Mason requires applicants to demonstrate English proficiency for admission consideration, regardless of citizenship. Click here to view the requirements.

International Transcript Requirements

All transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be translated into English, if applicable, and submitted for evaluation to the Mason Office of Admissions. Mason will provide evaluation service free of charge for all international transcripts, however, some programs may request an outside evaluation be completed. Because of volume, more time may be needed to process applications requiring a Mason evaluation. You should submit your application 6 weeks prior to the deadline if you plan to utilize Mason’s free evaluation service. For expedited service, students may submit their documents to any NACES member organization at their own expense. If you decide to use an external evaluation service or if your program requires an outside evaluation, GPA and Degree equivalences must be included with your course-by-course evaluation. Mason evaluations are used for internal purposes and are not released to applicants. For information on international transcript requirements, go here.