Anthropology - MS

USU offers a Master of Science (MS) degree in Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management. Our graduate students gain a personalized education focused on archaeological theory, quantitative methods and Cultural Resource Management (CRM) policy while gaining practical experience which leads directly to successful careers in CRM or further education in PhD programs.                   

The program is known for its explicitly scientific approach to archaeology. Theoretical perspectives trend toward those offering explanatory potential, such as human behavioral ecology, and faculty topical expertise includes paleoecology/climates, zooarchaeology, geoarchaeology, lithic analysis, and geospatial analysis/remote sensing. Our Archaeology and CRM geographic emphasis includes the mountains and deserts of the American West: southern Idaho, western Wyoming, western Colorado, Utah, Nevada and Montana.

Utah State University’s Master of Science in Anthropology is an applied program enabling career advancement in the primary area of employment for archaeologists, Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management. CRM Archaeologists work for private, environmental consulting firms and government agencies, and our students consistently advance into these jobs from the USU graduate program. Our Anthropology MS degree also prepares students for research-based doctoral programs in Anthropology.

We educate and train graduate students who meet the standards of the Register of Professional Archaeologists and who will become project directors and principal investigators. Our core curriculum targets these goals and is supported by elective courses in various archaeological methods and geographic areas that reflect faculty expertise and facilitates student research. Students are mentored to become independent scholars who can design and conduct original research, qualities the CRM industry finds increasingly attractive.

Contacts

Graduate Program Directors: Dr. Judson Finley and Dr. Jacob Freeman

Graduate Program Coordinator: Megan Sills

The MS program in Anthropology admits students in Fall semesters only, with an application deadline of December 20 of the previous year. Admission Requirements include:

• Official transcript indicating a bachelor’s degree in an accredited U.S. college or university or a similarly recognized international university.

• Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s accomplishments and potential for success in graduate school.

• A statement of purpose (1-2 pages)

• A resume or CV

• Completion of Archaeological Field School (this may be indicated in Resume/CV)

• GRE scores may be provided but are not required

• International students must provide TOEFL or IELTS scores as proof of English proficiency

For additional information on admissions, please visit the School of Graduate Studies https://gradschool.usu.edu/admissions/