The Master of Arts in Anthropology, the Anthropology of Health and Well-Being Specialization studies the ways human health and wellness are influenced by past and present sociocultural, environmental, biological, and biocultural forces by drawing from broad and holistic perspectives on human well-being.

Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.

Learning Objectives

Students who are conferred an M.A. in Anthropology will:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of anthropological theory and method, and how to apply them appropriately.
  2. Engage in independent research that addresses academic questions or societal challenges.
  3. Demonstrate awareness of and respect for human diversity across space and time.
  4. Possess the academic background and skills to enter a Ph.D. program in anthropology or a job related to the discipline.

Effective Fall 2023

Core Requirements
ANTH 500Development of Anthropological Theory3
Research Methods 13
ANTH 699Thesis5
Health-Focused Courses 2,312
Select a minimum of 12 credits from the following:
Human Osteology
Cultural Psychiatry
Cultures of Virtual Worlds–Research Methods
Psychological Anthropology
Human Biology
Psychiatric Anthropology Laboratory
Cognitive Anthropology Field Methods
Anthropology of Happiness and the Good Life
Women, Health, and Culture
Food, Hunger, and Culture
Medical Anthropology
Global Mental Health--Theory and Method
Mind, Medicine, and Culture
Contemporary Issues-Biological Anthropology
Anthropology and Global Health
Human Origins
Paleoclimate and Human Evolution
Supporting Courses 2,3,43
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the following:
Approaches to Community-Based Development
Community Development from the Ground Up
Resilience, Well-Being, and Social Justice
Culture and Environment
Gender, Sexuality, and Culture
Anthropology and Sustainable Development
Human-Environment Interactions
The Culture of Disaster
Globalization and Culture Change
Culture, Mind, and Cognitive Science
Place, Space and Adaptation
Edge Effects--Place, Embodiment, Environment
Applications of International Development
Spatial Analysis with GIS
Outside Courses 2
Select a minimum of 6 credits from the following:6
Environmental and Occupational Health Issues
Ethnicity, Race, and Health Disparities in U.S.
International Nutrition and World Hunger
Health Communication
Women's Health
Perspectives in Global Health
Program Total Credits:32

 A minimum of 32 credits are required to complete this program. 

1

Select 3 credits from departmentally approved list of methods courses with approval of advisor and committee.

2

Courses listed here constitute a partial list. Other courses may be used with approval of advisor and committee. Select courses with approval of advisor and committee.

3

A maximum total of six 300- to 400-level credits may be used to fulfill the credits required to complete this specialization under the M.A. Anthropology.

4

Any methods course listed in Core Requirements may be included in Supporting Courses if not taken to fulfill the methods requirement.

Students must complete the minimum number of credits specified in the official program of study as approved by the University Curriculum Committee, and all credit requirements specified in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin for their degree. 

Effective Fall 2023

Core Requirements
ANTH 500Development of Anthropological Theory3
Research Methods 13
ANTH 695Independent Study2
Health-Focused Courses 2,3
Select a minimum of 12 credits from the following:12
Human Osteology
Cultural Psychiatry
Cultures of Virtual Worlds–Research Methods
Psychological Anthropology
Human Biology
Psychiatric Anthropology Laboratory
Cognitive Anthropology Field Methods
Anthropology of Happiness and the Good Life
Women, Health, and Culture
Food, Hunger, and Culture
Medical Anthropology
Global Mental Health--Theory and Method
Mind, Medicine, and Culture
Contemporary Issues-Biological Anthropology
Anthropology and Global Health
Human Origins
Paleoclimate and Human Evolution
Supporting Courses 2,3,4
Select a minimum of 6 credits from the following:6
Approaches to Community-Based Development
Community Development from the Ground Up
Resilience, Well-Being, and Social Justice
Culture and Environment
Gender, Sexuality, and Culture
Anthropology and Sustainable Development
Human-Environment Interactions
The Culture of Disaster
Globalization and Culture Change
Culture, Mind, and Cognitive Science
Place, Space and Adaptation
Edge Effects--Place, Embodiment, Environment
Applications of International Development
Spatial Analysis with GIS
Outside Courses 2
Select a minimum of 9 credits from the following:9
Environmental and Occupational Health Issues
Ethnicity, Race, and Health Disparities in U.S.
International Nutrition and World Hunger
Health Communication
Women's Health
Perspectives in Global Health
Program Total Credits:35

 A minimum of 35 credits are required to complete this program. 

1

Select 3 credits from departmentally approved list of methods courses with approval of advisor and committee.

2

Courses listed here constitute a partial list.  Other courses may be used with approval of advisor and committee. Select courses with approval of advisor and committee.

3

A maximum total of six 300- to 400-level credits may be used to fulfill the requirements of this specialization under the M.A. Anthropology.

4

Any methods course listed in Core Requirements may be included in Supporting Courses if not taken to fulfill the methods requirement.

Students must complete the minimum number of credits specified in the official program of study as approved by the University Curriculum Committee, and all credit requirements specified in the  Graduate and Professional Bulletin for their degree. 

For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.

Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees

NOTE:  Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.

Forms are available online.

Step Due Date
1. Application for admission (online) Six months before first registration
2. Diagnostic examination when required Before first registration
3. Appointment of advisor Before first registration
4. Selection of graduate committee Before the time of fourth regular semester registration
5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) Before the time of fourth regular semester registration
6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) Two terms prior to final examination
7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) Within two working days after results are known
8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) When change is made
9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website
9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying
10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee
11. Final examination Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website
12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website
13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website.
14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website
15. Graduation Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website