Pursue a Master of Arts or Doctorate degree in Anthropology, specializing in prehistoric/historical archaeology, cultural, biological/physical or linguistic anthropology. Our program will prepare you for your dream career with hands-on research experience led by highly our accomplished faculty.
The Anthropology Department’s Master of Arts program offers a robust academic journey that allows students to specialize in one of four key sub-disciplines: Archaeology (either Historical or Prehistoric), Biological Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, or Linguistic Anthropology.
This advanced degree prepares students for a range of career pathways, including academia, consulting, international development, and governmental roles. In addition to foundational coursework, the program emphasizes hands-on research and methodological rigor, equipping students with the skills required for nuanced anthropological analysis and specialized research projects. The curriculum is designed to deepen students’ understanding of human behavior and societies, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to interdisciplinary knowledge and global issues.
The program requires the student to fulfill specified coursework over the course of the student’s degree. Students have two tracks to complete the M.A. degree and the number of credits required depends on the track the student takes to complete the degree. Students should discuss with their advisor which track is appropriate for them given the academic and career objectives.
Opting for the thesis track offers an intensive academic experience that is highly advisable for those considering future doctoral studies. Within this 31-credit track, students can choose to focus their thesis on a variety of specialized areas, such as environmental archaeology, historical archaeology, cultural anthropology, or ethno-linguistics. The thesis serves as a comprehensive exercise in scholarly research and analysis, allowing faculty to assess a student’s aptitude for advanced academic endeavors. This focused project often becomes the cornerstone for letters of recommendation for Ph.D. programs. Consequently, students who select the thesis option are exempt from comprehensive examinations, as the rigor and depth of the thesis research adequately demonstrate mastery of the field.
With the non-thesis track, you can pursue a career outside of academia or continue on to pursue Ph.D. at the University of Nevada, Reno, earning your M.A. en route to the Ph.D. after advancing to candidacy. A minimum of 30 units is required for the non-thesis option. If you wish to continue on to the doctoral program, advancement to candidacy typically occurs in the graduate student’s 3rd year, after the student has: (1) completed all their coursework save dissertation credits; (2) passed their Ph.D. written qualifying examination and oral defense (comprehensive examination); and (3) written and successfully defended their Ph.D. prospectus, which is the student’s research design for their Ph.D. dissertation project. For details, see the University Catalog listing for the Anthropology Ph.D. program.
University admissions applications and official transcripts should be received electronically by the Graduate School, so that they reach the department office by Dec. 15. Please do not mail or email documents directly to the department.
The Graduate School must receive admission application, official transcripts and general TOEFL scores. Contact the Graduate School for more information on international admission requirements.
In addition to all Graduate School application materials, the department requires two additional documents:
The Department of Anthropology will not assume responsibility for the late arrival of official transcripts and test scores to the Graduate School or the Office of International Outreach and Application Services, regardless of whether the applicant can provide official receipts proving the documents were ordered promptly. Full responsibility rests with the applicant to make sure the Graduate School has received all application materials by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applicants must contact the Graduate School at (775) 784-6869 to verify that those offices have received the graduate admission application, official transcripts and TOEFL scores by the Dec. 15 deadline.
An applicant who gains admission based on incomplete or fraudulent credentials or misrepresentation in the written application for admission shall have admission and registration canceled without refund of any fees, the total credits rescinded that have been earned following such admission and future registration at the University prohibited.
All materials submitted with the graduate application are the property of the department and will not be returned.
Only very few research assistantships and teaching assistantships are available to M.A. students and these are awarded on a competitive basis. Students may also apply for several scholarships. All students are encouraged to seek external fund opportunities.
Review program requirements for the M.A. in Anthropology in the course catalog.
Find out about all the anthropology research and lab facilities available to students.
See what the department offers and expects of successful graduate students.
Anthropology examines the diversity of human experience across cultures and time. Anthropologists in the department study everything from human evolution to pre-history to life in a globalizing world. Because of this breadth of focus, anthropology is highly relevant to understanding and living in a rapidly changing world.
Applicants for admission to the doctoral program must have either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in anthropology or a closely related field and must satisfy all graduate school requirements and specific departmental requirements.
The program emphasizes the research strengths of the Department of Anthropology, as well as the ecology, evolution and conservation biology program; the gender, race and identity program; the Basque studies program; the Desert Research Institute (DRI); the historic preservation program; and other University system facilities.
University admissions applications and official transcripts should be received electronically by the Graduate School, so that they reach the department office by Dec. 15. Please do not mail or email documents directly to the department.
The Graduate School must receive admission application, official transcripts and general TOEFL scores. Contact the Graduate School for more information on international admission requirements.
In addition to all Graduate School application materials, the department requires two additional documents:
The Department of Anthropology will not assume responsibility for the late arrival of official transcripts and test scores to the Graduate School or the Office of International Outreach and Application Services, regardless of whether the applicant can provide official receipts proving the documents were ordered promptly. Full responsibility rests with the applicant to make sure the Graduate School has received all application materials by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applicants must contact the Graduate School at (775) 784-6869 to verify that those offices have received the graduate admission application, official transcripts and TOEFL scores by the Dec. 15 deadline.
An applicant who gains admission based on incomplete or fraudulent credentials or misrepresentation in the written application for admission shall have admission and registration canceled without refund of any fees, the total credits rescinded that have been earned following such admission and future registration at the University prohibited.
All materials submitted with the graduate application are the property of the department and will not be returned.
Only very few research assistantships and teaching assistantships are available to students and these are awarded on a competitive basis. Students may also apply for several scholarships. All students are encouraged to seek external fund opportunities.
Review program requirements for the M.A. in Anthropology in the course catalog.
Find out about all the anthropology research and lab facilities available to students.
See what the department offers and expects of successful graduate students.
The Department of Anthropology has an anthropology museum that allows behind-the-scenes training in preparing exhibits and taking care of collections. The department also is home to a physical anthropology lab, a linguistics lab, a prehistoric archeology lab and a historical archeology lab that provide experience in analyzing and studying artifacts and sites in the American West and Great Basin. The physical anthropology laboratory is well-equipped with a collection of fossil ancestral human specimens. Another laboratory is set up to study animal bones, tree-rings and other clues about past environmental changes.
Graduate school admission requirements vary for domestic, international, and graduate special applicants. Select from the options below to learn more.
Each fall and spring semester, the Graduate School hosts multiple free, online Virtual Open Houses. Register in advance to learn about the University’s on-campus and online graduate programs and get questions answered by faculty, staff and current graduate students.
Interested in living on campus? Learn more about Ponderosa Village, an on-campus community for graduate students and their families.
1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557
Ansari Business, Mailstop: 0096
anthropology@unr.edu
(775) 784-6704