School of Earth, Environment and Society

Anthropology Bachelor’s + Master’s

Students pursuing a major in anthropology may be admitted directly into the parallel master’s program (i.e., BA students for the MA, and BS students for the MS) and share up to 20 graduate-level credits (five 4-credit courses) between their bachelor and master’s degrees.

Any of our full-time faculty (Shelby Anderson, Michele Gamburd, Charles Klein, Mrinalini Tankha, and Natalie Vasey) can help you determine if you're a likely candidate for the B+M program. Through these conversations, you should identify two faculty members who support your admission to the program; these faculty can help you put your application packet together.

Admissions Requirements

The following conditions must be met for an initial application to the B+M program:

  • Declared Anthropology major who has completed or is enrolled in the three, 300-level major core requirements: ANTH 304 or 305, ANTH 350, and ANTH 370 or ANTH 372.
  • 3.5 GPA in Anthropology courses
  • 3.3 PSU institutional GPA
  • Junior or senior standing at PSU

Deadlines

Students may submit an initial application to the B+M to the Anthropology graduate coordinator. Initial applications are accepted on a rolling basis with three annual deadlines:

  • Fall Term start: May 15
  • Winter Term start: Nov. 15
  • Spring Term start: Feb. 15

Application Materials

Below is the list of the materials and information you will need to provide as part of your application.

  • Unofficial transcript demonstrating that you've met the admissions criteria
  • Personal Statement: In 500 words, outline your career and educational goals
  • References: Submit the names of two Anthropology faculty members who support the application
Submit Initial Application about this content

How to Apply

  • Submit an initial application to the Anthropology graduate program coordinator.
  • If the coordinator approves the initial application, the Anthropology graduate coordinator will send you an email inviting you to submit a formal application to the Graduate School for the master’s program in anthropology.
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Continuing Requirements

  • All 500-level courses must be taken at PSU for a grade of B or better.
  • All undergraduate classes must receive a grade of C or better. No P/NP credit will be accepted for either program.
  • The program residency requirement for undergraduate credit prior to admission is 24 credits. The PSU institutional requirement for residency for the undergraduate program is that 45 of the last 60 credits must be taken in residence at PSU.
  • Students must maintain a GPA of 3.3 in 500-level courses and 3.5 in 400-level and below courses in order to maintain their status in the MA/MS program.