Masters in Anthropology & Graduate Programs

Earning a Degree from an Anthropology Masters Program 2025

For the student with an interest in advanced studies in the humanities, social and natural sciences, enrolling in a Masters in Anthropology may lead to a variety of interesting career paths. Some graduates pursue careers as professional anthropologists, while others might work toward careers as archaeologists, sociologists, geographers or teachers (O*Net).

Anthropology is the study of humanity, and is divided into different branches:

• Socio-Cultural anthropology studies the workings of societies.
• Linguistic anthropology studies the influence of languages
• Biological, or physical anthropology, studies the development of the human organism
• Archaeology

What is a Masters in Anthropology?

For some students, especially those interested in research and academia, a master’s degree in Anthropology could be a springboard to earning a Ph.D. in Anthropology or Archaeology, although entry-level education for jobs in this field is a Master’s Degree. Anthropologists and archaeologists study the origins, development, and behavior of human beings. They examine the cultures, languages, archeological remains and physical traits of people in various locations around the world. As a profession, employment of both anthropologists and archeologists is projected to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, potentially making this a great time to earn your degree (BLS).

How do I find a Master’s in Anthropology Program?

GradSchools.com makes searching for a masters program in anthropology easy to find. Start with a location search; use the tabs to enter a city, state or country, and determine schools where you can or are drawn to study in. Next, decide on the program format that suits you. Busy adults or working professionals might find that distance learning is most convenient. If so, you can look for Online Anthropology Masters Degree programs, or check through hybrid programs which are a combination of online and on campus courses.

You can then refine your search by looking through the listings for Anthropology degrees, choosing to specialize or take a general program. Some of these choices might include MA in Anthropology, MA in Museum Anthropology, MS in Medical Anthropology.

Anthropology Masters Programs and Degrees Curriculum

Most Anthropology master’s degree programs are 2 years in duration, and include field research (BLS). It is possible that Anthropology Masters Programs curricula may vary between schools. Some may be specialized in one aspect of anthropology, others may allow students to choose the subfield that most interests them, such as archaeology, biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and socio-cultural anthropology. As a diverse discipline, some of the topics of study might include:

• Biology
• Biomedicine
• Sociology
• Language
• History
• Political Science
• Economics
• Human Behavior

Potential Career Options for Masters in Anthropology Graduates

Earning a master’s degree in Anthropology might prepare students to pursue careers as professional Anthropologists. Some of the tasks of professionals in this field include:

• Plan research projects
• Collect data and information from observations, interviews and document
• Record and manage information
• Analyze data to uncover patterns about human life, culture and origins
• Prepare reports and present their research
• Give advice to organizations on the cultural impact of policies, programs and products

The industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data include:

• Scientific research and development services
• Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
• Federal Executive Branch
• Architectural, Engineering, and related services
• Local Government

Some of the States with the highest employment of anthropologists include:

• California
• Oregon
• Arizona
• Texas
• New Mexico

Ready to pursue a Master’s in Anthropology Degree?

If you enjoy fieldwork, traveling to new locations in order to learn about different cultures, and would find conducting research in a foreign language fascinating, an MS in Anthropology might be a great academic fit for you. Start reviewing your choices for Anthropology Masters Programs on GradSchools.com to find the program that matches your goals!

GradSchools.com offers 133 Graduate Schools with MS in Anthropology Programs