Anthropology, Biomedical (MS)

Program Overview

The Department of Anthropology offers graduate study leading to a Master of Science (MS) degree in biomedical anthropology. This is a course-based professional degree in an emerging sub-disciplinary area within biological anthropology. The program emphasizes an evolutionary and cultural approach to understanding disease and public health. A diverse range of courses trains students to recognize historical patterns and current events and allows students to study across disciplines. Prospective students should explore faculty research areas to see if interests align.

Please note that spring semester admission is only available for Binghamton University undergraduates pursuing the 4+1 program.

A professional science master’s certificate in biomedical anthropology is also available for graduate students who are interested in developing practical training and skills that will help foster success in the workplace. The curriculum consists an additional 13 credits in professional skills courses that move beyond the training of a traditional master’s degree.

Degrees Offered

• MS in Biomedical Anthropology

Internships, Research Opportunities and More

While our program does not require a final thesis project, the curriculum is more intensive than the MA program in anthropology. Students are encouraged to take advantage of diverse course offerings and pursue specializations in fields such as epidemiology, international health, forensics, primatology, human genetics and paleoanthropology.

This 2-year program includes an internship of at least 320 hours and an oral examination at the completion of study. Faculty and department staff are eager to help students find placement at internship sites that correspond with their specific research interests; past students have accompanied PhD candidates as research assistants to conduct field research in areas such as Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean. Other internship sites have included county health departments, the National Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian Institution and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

After You Graduate

While one-third of alumni have continued on to doctoral studies, most graduates pursued a variety of different professions within the health field, particularly positions that require interdisciplinary training and depth of knowledge. Graduates find jobs with hospitals, nationally acclaimed research centers, nonprofit disaster relief organizations and government agencies such as state departments of health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

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.

An undergraduate degree in anthropology, biology, nursing, pre-medicine, public and international health, psychology or another science or social science is desirable for admission.

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!

For more information, visit the Anthropology, Biomedical website.