Overview
Take your passion for anthropology to the next level.
The anthropology master's program at Illinois State is individualized, flexible, and supportive. With flexible requirements, hands-on instruction, and faculty mentorship, students craft a research-based thesis in two years.
Our department is a four-field program (archaeology, anthropological linguistics, cultural anthropology, and biological anthropology) and we offer five master’s concentrations:
- Biological Anthropology
- Cultural Anthropology
- Historical Archaeology
- Prehistoric Archaeology
- Japanese Studies
You will dive deep into your concentration inside the classroom and out. We offer a broad range of research opportunities with faculty working on projects around the world.
Our class sizes are small with plenty of individualized attention. We have modern labs with the latest equipment and technology, comparative and museum collections, and a summer field school. No matter your focus, you can count on having all the support you need at Illinois State. Our faculty and staff will be with you every step of the way.
The Anthropology master’s program also offers a distinctive program for those who have completed at least a year of volunteer service in programs such as Peace Corps, AmeriCorp, Vista, or similar service programs. The Applied Community and Economic Development (ACED) Fellows Program at the Stevenson Center for Community and Economic Development enables those who are passionate about social change through service to take their careers to the next level.
We also offer interdisciplinary graduate certificates in
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS)
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Entrance into these certificate programs happens after your admission to the Anthropology master’s program.
Whether your trajectory takes you into a Ph.D. program, Cultural Resource Management, non-profit administration, museum work, or teaching, our programs will prepare you to follow your dreams and our faculty will connect you with the people who can make them happen.