Anthropology The City University of New York

Overview

The Anthropology programme at The City University of New York provides students with a first-class graduate-level grounding in the discipline alongside extensive exposure to advanced research. This Master of Arts degree is designed to prepare individuals for diverse professional careers or for further doctoral study within the field.

Students benefit from a flexible academic structure that accommodates both full-time and part-time learners. While the degree can be completed in two years of full-time study, part-time students are typically expected to finish within four years. Many graduate courses are conveniently scheduled in the evenings to support working professionals.

The curriculum is built around 30 credits of coursework and culminates in either a comprehensive exam or a master’s thesis.

Why Anthropology at The City University of New York?

The institution maintains active laboratory and field research programmes that allow students to engage with global projects. Facilities include specialised labs for primate evolution, molecular evolution, human adaptations, and nutritional ecology. These resources provide a practical foundation for students pursuing scientific or archaeological specialisations.

The department is also affiliated with prestigious organisations such as the North Atlantic Biocultural Organisation and the Human Ecodynamics Research Centre. Competitive research and training grants are available each semester to assist degree students with their thesis work. These funds support original research into various topics, including the causes and consequences of peace.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 855 per credit
• National fee: USD 855 per credit
• Local fee: USD 470 per credit

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum offers focused study through three main tracks: Evolutionary Primatology and Paleontology, Archaeology of Global Change and Zooarchaeology, and Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology. Modules may include:

Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology

• Race
• Environmentalism, Globalization, and Culture
• Psychological Anthropology
• Medical Anthropology
• Language, Health and Medicine
• Religion

Evolutionary Primatology and Paleontology

• Human Anatomy
• Evolution of the Human Skeleton
• Field Methods in Primatology
• Primate Ecology
• Human Biological Adaptations

Archaeology of Global Change

• Cultural Ecology
• Archaeology of Colonialism
• Gender and Archaeology
• Urban Archaeology
• Archaeology of North America

Careers with Anthropology

Graduates from this programme have successfully transitioned into top-tier PhD programmes or secured roles in contract archaeology and environmental consulting. Many alumni find employment within major museums, such as the American Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian. Others pursue careers in K-12 education as social studies teachers.

The diverse skill set gained during the degree also leads to roles in international organisations and government agencies. Former students have worked as operations analysts for the World Bank and historic preservation managers for federal agencies. Additional career paths include positions in non-profit management, forensic investigation, and environmental policy advisement.