Program of Studies

The graduate program in anthropology emphasizes archaeology. Focusing on the emergence of complex societies, simple farmers and hunter-gatherers, the program's strength is the diversity of research opportunities it affords students, especially in Mesoamerica and the Great Basin/Southwest regions of North America. Department faculty conduct field research in each of those areas, and qualified graduate students often participate.

Rather than emphasize specialized or topical interests, however, the program equips the graduate with the basics of professional anthropology: a broad and versatile perspective and the ability to (1) define a research problem, (2) choose tools wisely for approaching it, (3) gather and analyze data efficiently and creatively, and then (4) communicate results and recommendations effectively.

From four to six students enter the program each year, and most take three years to complete the requirements. The number of students in the program varies between ten and fifteen. Students with undergraduate degrees in other disciplines may apply, although some prerequiste courses may be required following acceptance in the program.

Anthropology—MA

The aim of this program is to prepare students (1) for productive employment at a junior professional level upon receiving an MA degree or (2) for entry into PhD programs in anthropology elsewhere.

Only a broad discussion of requirements is provided here. The department sends each prospective graduate student the “Graduate Program Description,” a detailed, step-by-step outline of expectations, requirements, and guidelines for progress through the program. The student must return a form indicating that he or she has read the detailed guidelines, understands them, and agrees to be governed by them. This is done because requirements sometimes change slightly in the interval between submission of catalog copy and publication of the finished catalog. By writing, calling, or visiting the department, prospective students will receive the most up-to-date and appropriate information.

Admission and Entry

• Semesters of entry and application deadlines: fall, February 1 (U.S. and international); winter, February 1 (U.S. and international).
• Application requirements: submission of a letter of intent that specifies particular areas of interest. This letter will provide the basis for assignment of a temporary faculty advisor, who will work with the applicant until a thesis committee is organized.
• Entrance examination: GRE general test score should be entered on line 11 of part D of the application form. Foreign students who do not have English as a native language must take the TOEFL exam and submit the score (580 minimum) with the application.
• Prerequisite: undergraduate degree in anthropology. If a student's bachelor's degree is not in anthropology, the student may be admitted provisionally while completing appropriate background course work.

Requirements for Degree

• Credit hours (30): minimum 24 hours plus 6 thesis hours (Anthr 699R); minimum 20 hours under direct instruction of professional anthropologists at BYU or in another acceptable department at the university. Thesis, reading, internship, and individual work do not count toward these 20 hours.
• Required core courses: Anthr 501, 502, 510, 512, 695R, 699R.
• Additional courses: 6 hours from Anthr 530-590R; electives.
• Examinations: (A) written comprehensive examination at or near the end of the first year of study; (B) oral presentation of thesis proposal; (C) oral defense of thesis.
• Thesis.

Financial Assistance

The Department of Anthropology offers tuition assistance to all incoming graduate students.

Additional support comes through assistantships, grants, and employment offered by the department and the Museum of Peoples and Cultures, but the funds are limited. The goal is to provide some support for many students rather than generously support a few. The department is currently developing special scholarships, work study, and project support programs for Native American students interested in careers in anthropology and museology. This is being done with the assistance of Multicultural Student Services at BYU.

The Office of Public Archaeology regularly gives employment and experience to students prepared to participate in contract archaeology projects.

Resources and Opportunities

Museum of Peoples and Cultures

Closely associated with the Anthropology Department, the Museum of Peoples and Cultures offers unique research opportunities for students and faculty, several of whom have research offices in the museum. Located south and west of campus in Allen Hall, the museum holds a number of important archaeological and ethnographic collections that have not been systematically analyzed and reported. These collections, which represent Utah Valley, the American Southwest, and Mesoamerica, as well as other parts of the world, provide material for thesis topics, professional publications, and academic credit. Research entities in the museum include the Archaeological Technical Laboratory, which specializes in botanical and minerals analysis, and the Office of Public Archaeology, one of the most active archaeological contracting organizations in the intermountain area.

The New World Archaeological Foundation

This foundation is a research institution focused on formative Mesoamerican civilizations, especially in Chiapas, Mexico. Established in 1952, the NWAF maintains a staff and research facilities in San Cristobol, Chiapas. The NWAF publishes a monograph series (papers) as well as notes to disseminate research findings. Graduate student opportunities through the foundation include laboratory research on campus and limited field work in Mexico.

Charles Redd Center for Western Studies

Established in 1972 under an endowment from Charles Redd, a prominent Utah stockman and philanthropist, the center is charged with promoting the study of all aspects of the American West. The center publishes a monograph series, assists faculty and student research through grants and fellowships, and sponsors lectureships each year. Examples of current faculty and graduate student research include: socio-political complexity in Chiapas and Guatemala; development of complex society among the Maya; hunter-gatherer ecology in the eastern Great Basin and small scale farming societies in the Southwest.

For a more detailed description of the graduate program requirements, send for a copy of the department's Graduate Program Description.