Anthropology (PhD, MA)

Program Overview

The Department of Anthropology offers Master of Arts (MA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree programs in anthropology, as well as a Master of Science (MS) degree program in biomedical anthropology. Students will be exposed to all four traditional subfields of anthropology: archaeology, biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology and social/cultural anthropology. Along with core courses, students are also encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary research areas. Prospective students should explore the faculty research areas to see if interests align.

A track in public archaeology is also available within the MA program. This professional program is intended to train students to attain positions within industry. This is a popular program for students interested in working for museums or in cultural resource management for government agencies.

Degrees Offered

• PhD in Anthropology
• MA in Anthropology: Public Archaeology
• MA in Anthropology

Internships, Research Opportunities and More

Our program’s central objective is to train students in the development of original research design, and to communicate findings in publishable papers. Faculty and students develop close working relationships. Independent study is encouraged and closely guided through academic advising.

Our department hosts a summer session class called the Archaeology Field School program, where students have the opportunity to earn credit as well as gain practical field experience. Outings in 2014 included excavation training and scientific analysis techniques at a historic 17th Century estate in New York. Binghamton University also boasts the Public Archaeology Facility, one of the largest facilities of its kind in the country.

The Career Resource Library is available as a tool for students to learn how to use anthropological skills in industry, business, management and health research; how to teach anthropology; careers as independent consultants; ethnographic research; preparing to become an applied anthropologist; and the nature of anthropological fieldwork.

After You Graduate

MA graduates are prepared to be instructors at community colleges or pursue doctoral studies. Recent doctoral graduates are employed in positions at the New York State Department of Health, the National Geographic Society, Museum of International Folk Art, Purdue University and the University of Tennessee.

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for graduate study, you must:

• Provide a complete set of your undergraduate (and, if applicable, graduate) transcripts showing one of the following:
  • You have earned a bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university
  • You are within one academic year of earning a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) from a nationally or regionally accredited college or university
  • You are eligible to apply as part of a memorandum of understanding between your current institution and Binghamton University
• Have earned, at minimum, one of the following:
  • A 3.0 GPA over your entire undergraduate career
  • A 3.0 GPA during your last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits of your undergraduate degree, with most courses graded regularly (not as "pass/fail")
  • A 3.0 GPA in a graduate degree, with most courses graded regularly (not as "pass/fail")
  • In consideration of the different grading scales used around the world, each academic department evaluates international transcripts to determine on a case-by-case basis whether they demonstrate one of the above requirements.

To apply, you must submit the following materials. For general guidelines for these materials, see the Admission Requirements website.

• Online graduate degree application with graduate degree application fee
• Transcripts from each college or university that you have attended
• Personal statement of 2 to 3 pages describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your career aspirations, your special interests within your field, and any unusual features of your background that might need explanation or be of interest to the graduate admissions committee
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• Three letters of recommendation
• GRE scores not required

International students must also submit the following materials. For more information about these materials, see the International Students section of the Admission Requirements website.

• International Student Financial Statement (ISFS) form
• Supporting financial documentation (such as bank statements, scholarship or sponsor letters, etc.)
• Proof of English proficiency (such as official TOEFL/IELTS/PTE Academic/Duolingo* scores)
  • *In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Graduate School at Binghamton University has temporarily approved the use of the Duolingo English Test as proof of English proficiency through the 2023 application cycle.

This information is subject to change. While we make every effort to update these program pages, we recommend that you contact the department with questions about program-specific requirements.

Deadlines

Accelerated/4+1 Degrees

You may also be interested in our accelerated/4+1 degree programs which allow students to complete their bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in just 5 years!