Anthropology Department

Admissions | Anthropology MA/MS

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PSU’s Anthropology master’s degree equips you with a graduate-level competence in general anthropology, including the major subfields of biological anthropology, archaeology and social-cultural anthropology, while also allowing you specialize in one of the subfields.

The master’s program has been designed for students who hold an undergraduate degree in anthropology or its equivalent. Applicants who lack an undergraduate major in anthropology may be admitted to the program, but will be required to take selected undergraduate courses.

Admissions Requirements

  • Meet PSU’s minimum requirements
  • Minimum GPA of 3.25 in anthropology courses and an overall GPA of 3.00
  • If you did not major in anthropology, your chance of admission increases if you have already taken some or all of the following courses, or their equivalents at another institution:
    • Anth 304 Social Theory or Anth 305 Culture Theory
    • Anth 350 Archaeological Method and Theory
    • Anth 370 Paleoanthropology or Anth 372 Human Variability
    • Courses in related disciplines such as biology or sociology may also count
       

Deadlines

February 1

This program only admits students once a year for fall term.

Applications received after the Feb. 1 deadline, or for alternative term admission will not be reviewed, except in extenuating circumstances and by special request from the faculty member the student intends to work with.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Below is the list of the information and materials you will need to provide as part of your application. We recommend preparing these materials in advance of submitting your application.

  • Potential Advisor: Graduate students in our program work closely with their advisor. Before applying, contact tenure-track faculty that share your interests and with whom you wish to work. Set up interviews (virtual or in-person) with prospective advisors to discuss common interests.
  • Track Selection: Students have the option of choosing from three tracks.
    • The thesis track candidate is required to do research in an area of special interest and prepare a thesis based upon it. 
    • The internship and skills tracks are designed to prepare students for professional employment related to applied anthropology. Students in the internship track will complete an internship and a thesis that combines an internship deliverable and a final internship paper. Students in the skills track will take 7 additional hours of coursework, complete comprehensive exams, and submit a portfolio that documents the skills they obtained during the program.
  • Statement of Intent: In 500 words, your statement should summarize your academic background and your main goals in attending graduate school and our program in particular. It should note which track you seek and the faculty with whom you wish to work. Explain why your interests mesh well with our program.
  • Writing Sample: Your writing sample should illustrate your academic skills and interests, and ability to craft a sustained argument supported by scholarly data.
  • GRE (optional): The submission – or non-submission – of GRE scores will not negatively impact whether an applicant is admitted to our master’s degree program.
  • Copies of transcripts from each college or university attended (other than Portland State)
  • Proof of English Language Proficiency (if applicable)
  • References: Submit contact information for at least three references. Portland State will contact your references and provide them with instructions for submitting recommendation forms.
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APPLICATION REVIEW TIMELINE

April: Applicants will be notified of their admission results no later than April 1.

CONTACT

If you have questions about the application process, contact Charles Klein, graduate program coordinator, chklein@pdx.edu.