Graduate Program
East Carolina University’s Master’s program in anthropology is designed to provide students with competency in the three subfields of biological, archaeology and cultural anthropology. In addition, students have the opportunity to specialize in their area of interest. Particular strengths of the department include prehistoric North American archaeology, Middle Eastern archaeology, historic archaeology and bioarchaeology; human osteology, primatology, forensic anthropology, applied anthropology, medical anthropology, and anthropology of religion. Students in the program complete core courses in the three subfields and methods and research design courses. Students have the option of conducting thesis research, completing an internship, pursuing a non-thesis option, or completing requirements for teaching training. The latter is especially appropriate for students who aim to teach at the community college level. Students are strongly encouraged to complete all degree requirements within a two-year time frame. Further information on graduate courses at ECU can be found in the Graduate Catalogue
To be accepted to the program, student must qualify for admission to both the graduate school and the department. Students should generally have a 3.0 GPA, at least 2 letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and a “statement of purpose” are required. These items are submitted electronically via the Online Application. Do not send them to the Anthropology Department or this will delay the processing of your application. While the application deadline is March 15, we strongly encourage earlier submissions. Application reviews begin in late January/early February.
Please review the application information available on the Graduate School’s website.
Satisfaction of minimum requirements is not a guarantee of admission, as students are selected from a pool of qualified applicants depending on the match of student interests with available faculty. There are limited graduate assistantships available.