Anthropology is a holistic science dedicated to the study of human cultural and biological diversity and evolution. Anthropology is unique in that it integrates fields of study that traditionally span multiple disciplines in the sciences, arts, and professional studies.

The Master of Arts in Applied Anthropology at Humboldt is a relevant and flexible degree program focused on building competitive, marketable skills for the application of anthropological perspectives, methods, and theories, and practices in a diverse array of careers in academic, professional, and global contexts.

Students in the program form a cohesive educational and career plan while they focus on one of the modern or traditional areas of anthropology or utilize the freedom that is intrinsic within the discipline to bridge disciplines as relevant to research and career interests.

This hybrid program begins with a brief orientation that students can attend in person or virtually - in-person attendance is recommended. During this time, students build camaraderie and are introduced to the program and department/campus resources.

Students undertake the required core courses online - this enables freedom in location of residence and research. The online coursework is primarily asynchronous to enable flexibility in planning days and times to complete assignments each week. In addition to core courses, students take either on-campus and online electives. 

The program is career-oriented and relevant. The core courses focus on broadly applicable skills/strategies and the application of theory to applied career/research interests, while the electives, internship and culminating experience enable students to specialize in focus areas.

The applied design of the program emphasizes that students consider the real-world relevance and applicability of their interests, experiences, and research.

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MA Program Highlights

• Curriculum focused on building relevant, competitive, rewarding, marketable skills.
• Intensive development of broadly applicable research and professional skills.
• Resources in cultural anthropology, archaeology, and biological anthropology, with room to connect to other disciplines.
• Hands-on training available on campus or in the field.
• Flexible distance learning core courses to enable freedom in residence and research locations.
• Resume’ and skill-building internship experience.
• Culimating experience options - exam or thesis.
• Student and faculty camaraderie and community is an important aspect of our program, whether students remain on campus or complete fieldwork and internships across the country and world.

Example Applicable Research / Career Areas

• Cultural Anthropology: Community Health, Public Health, Medical Anthropology, Community Development, Gender & Development, Program Development & Analysis, Administration, Education, Natural Resource Conservation & Development, Environmental Justice, Advocacy, Social Justice, Political Semantics & Rhetoric, Media, Narrative Analysis, Speech Communities, Linguistic Pragmatics, Ethnographic & Qualitative Research
• Archaeology: Cultural Resources Management, Heritage Preservation, Museum Studies, Curation, Mesoamerican Studies, Zooarchaeology, Registered Professional Archaeologist
• Biological Anthropology: Evolutionary Health & Nutrition, Bioarchaeology, Skeletal Biology/Forensics, Human/Primate Ecology & Conservation, Advocacy & Social Justice See additional career options

MA Degree Outcomes

Upon completion of the MA degree in Applied Anthropology, students will:

1. Communicate substantive knowledge of the field of applied anthropology, and apply disciplinary principles, theories, methods and approaches to address complex issues within academic and non-academic settings.
2. Demonstrate expertise in a focus area; evaluate, design, and apply relevant research in that area.
3. Employ a wide range of graduate level academic and professional skills enabling one to function effectively in academic and non-academic settings.
4. Demonstrate professional ethics and social responsibility in anthropological practice.
5. Demonstrate critical awareness of our globalized world and recognize multiculturalism and diversity as fundamental characteristics.