The Master of Arts in Anthropology, Humans and the Environment Specialization investigates how past and present human activities influence the environment, the ways ecological and other processes affect human evolution and the human condition today, and the resilience of social and ecological systems.
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:
- Demonstrate an understanding of anthropological theory and method, and how to apply them appropriately.
- Be able to engage in independent research that addresses academic questions or societal challenges.
- Demonstrate awareness of and respect for human diversity across space and time.
- Possess the academic background and skills to enter a PhD program in anthropology or a job related to the discipline.
Effective Fall 2023
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| ANTH 500 | Development of Anthropological Theory | 3 |
| Research Methods 1 | 3 | |
| ANTH 699 | Thesis | 5 |
| Humans and the Environment Focused Courses 2,3 | ||
| Select a minimum of 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| New Orleans and the Caribbean | ||
| Hunter-Gatherer Ecology | ||
| Impacts on Ancient Environments | ||
| Culture and Environment | ||
| Anthropology and Sustainable Development | ||
| Human-Environment Interactions | ||
| The Culture of Disaster | ||
| Geoarchaeology | ||
| Ecological and Social Agent-based Modeling | ||
| Paleoclimate and Human Evolution | ||
| Paleoecology | ||
| Edge Effects--Place, Embodiment, Environment | ||
| Climate Change: Science, Policy, Implications | ||
| Land Change Science Lab | ||
| Biogeography | ||
| Supporting Courses 2,3,4 | ||
| Select a minimum of 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Colorado Prehistory | ||
| Development in Indian Country | ||
| Great Plains Archaeology | ||
| Human Biology | ||
| Heritage Resource Management | ||
| Resilience, Well-Being, and Social Justice | ||
| Anthropology of Happiness and the Good Life | ||
| Economic Anthropology | ||
| Food, Hunger, and Culture | ||
| Culture, Mind, and Cognitive Science | ||
| Human Origins | ||
| Place, Space and Adaptation | ||
| Applications of International Development | ||
| Spatial Analysis with GIS | ||
| Remote Sensing and Image Analysis | ||
| Outside Courses 2,3 | ||
| Select a minimum of 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Interdisciplinary Seminar in Ecology | ||
| Action for Sustainable Behavior | ||
| Globalization, Sustainability, and Justice | ||
| Environmental Justice | ||
| 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 requirements for 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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| ANTH 500 | Development of Anthropological Theory | 3 |
| Research Methods 1 | 3 | |
| ANTH 695 | Independent Study | 2 |
| Humans and the Environment Focused Courses 2,3 | ||
| Select a minimum of 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| New Orleans and the Caribbean | ||
| Hunter-Gatherer Ecology | ||
| Impacts on Ancient Environments | ||
| Culture and Environment | ||
| Anthropology and Sustainable Development | ||
| Human-Environment Interactions | ||
| The Culture of Disaster | ||
| Geoarchaeology | ||
| Ecological and Social Agent-based Modeling | ||
| Paleoclimate and Human Evolution | ||
| Paleoecology | ||
| Edge Effects--Place, Embodiment, Environment | ||
| Climate Change: Science, Policy, Implications | ||
| Land Change Science Lab | ||
| Biogeography | ||
| Supporting Courses 2,3,4 | ||
| Select a minimum of 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Colorado Prehistory | ||
| Development in Indian Country | ||
| Great Plains Archaeology | ||
| Human Biology | ||
| Heritage Resource Management | ||
| Resilience, Well-Being, and Social Justice | ||
| Anthropology of Happiness and the Good Life | ||
| Economic Anthropology | ||
| Food, Hunger, and Culture | ||
| Culture, Mind, and Cognitive Science | ||
| Human Origins | ||
| Place, Space and Adaptation | ||
| Applications of International Development | ||
| Spatial Analysis with GIS | ||
| Remote Sensing and Image Analysis | ||
| Outside Courses 2,3 | ||
| Select a minimum of 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Interdisciplinary Seminar in Ecology | ||
| Action for Sustainable Behavior | ||
| Globalization, Sustainability, and Justice | ||
| Environmental Justice | ||
| 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 |