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Graduate program

The Department of Anthropology offers graduate courses and research opportunities leading to the M.A. degree. Graduate work in this field is designed to prepare students for teaching or research in anthropology, and for advanced study.

How to Apply ( Apply online )

Applicants for admission to this degree program are expected to have completed at least 15 undergraduate semester hours in anthropology as well as a course in statistics. Students lacking this background will be required to take compensatory work during his or her graduate program. However, highly motivated students without an extensive anthropology background are encouraged to apply.

Applications for graduate study at Northern Illinois University may be submitted online or downloaded from the Graduate School in PDF format. Completed applications, along with the materials listed below, should be returned directly to the Graduate School (Adams Hall Rm. 102, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115-2864).

  • Official transcripts from all universities or colleges attended with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 (on a 4.0 scale) for the BA, BS, MA, and MS degrees.
  • Official GRE scores taken no earlier than five years prior to the application date. (NIU's Institution Code: R1559, Department & Major Field Code: 1701).
  • Two letters of recommendation sent directly to the Graduate School; preferably from academically qualified individuals who are familiar with the applicant's academic work. Forms can be obtained from within the online application
  • A detailed statement of professional goals and interests (please be as thorough as possible).
  • Foreign students whose native language is not English must also submit an official copy of their TOEFL scores.

The Department of Anthropology's deadlines for receipt of a completed application, together with all supporting materials is March 1st for the following fall semester and November 1st for the following spring. However, interested students are encouraged to submit their application well before this deadline for full consideration.

Applying for Financial Aid

The department has several graduate assistantships (GAs) which carry a full tuition waiver and a stipend for qualified students. To apply for a GA you must complete the Application for a Graduate Assistantship form, which is found within the online application and return it directly to the Department of Anthropology before March 1st. This means that you must get your application in well before the March 1st admission deadline if you wish to be considered for a GA. Graduate assistantships are normally awarded beginning with the fall term.

Funding for students with a focus in Southeast Asia is available through the Center for Southeast Asian Studies. Information regarding Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships for the study of Burmese, Thai, Tagalog, or Indonesian languages and also for the Clark and Arlene Neher Graduate Fellowship in Southeast Asian Studies can be requested from the center or downloaded from the Center's website. Likewise, there is the possibility of support for students available from the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies.

Additionally, all graduate students are encouraged to apply for Federal Work Study. Work study assistantships are awarded on the basis of financial need but qualifying does not insure receipt of an award. If you qualify for work study your assistantship will be in the anthropology department. For further information please visit NIU's Student Employment Federal Work-Study Program website.

M.A. Degree Requirements

All students must take at least 30 semester hours of graduate work, distributed as outlined below. Students should choose their courses in consultation with their faculty adviser and/or the departmental chair.

A minimum of one course taken for graduate credit from each of the four following subfields of anthropology (12)

  • Archaeology
  • Cultural-social anthropology (ANTH 421, ANTH 426, ANTH 427, ANTH 451, ANTH 454, ANTH 460, ANTH 463, ANTH 464, ANTH 465, ANTH 467, ANTH 525)
  • Linguistic anthropology
  • Physical anthropology

At least 18 additional semester hours of elective courses taken for graduate credit, of which at least 12 must be in anthropology. (18)

Independent study courses may not be substituted for required courses without the consent of the student's adviser and the department chair.

Each student in the master's degree program must demonstrate to the satisfaction of his or her faculty committee proficiency in either statistics or a foreign language useful for the student's research and must choose one of the following options.

Thesis Option

Students choosing this option must register for at least 3 semester hours of credit in ANTH 599, Master's Thesis, and satisfactorily complete the departmental qualifying examination in their primary subfield of anthropology. Approval of a written preliminary thesis proposal is required before registration in ANTH 599. Although the student may seek approval of the preliminary thesis proposal at any time, successful completion of the qualifying examination in the student's major subfield of anthropology is a prerequisite to formal registration in ANTH 599.

Non‑Thesis Option

Students selecting this option are required to successfully complete the comprehensive examination in anthropology. This examination is an eight-hour written examination, covering all four subfields of anthropology. This exam will be written and graded by the faculty on the department's Examination Committee. Students choosing this option must also take an additional 6 hours of graduate credit in anthropology prior to graduation.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to writing and defending a thesis or passing the comprehensive four subfield examination students are required to turn into the Graduate School a completed Program of Courses and an Application for Graduation form (with fee) before the school's deadline for the term in which you plan to graduate. Failure to do so will delay your expected graduation date.

Miscellaneous Documents

 

  
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Department of Anthropology
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone: (815) 753-0246
Fax: (815) 753-7027

Departmental Chair: Dr. Judy Ledgerwood (jledgerw@niu.edu)
Departmental Secretary: Ms. Kathy Truman (ktruman@niu.edu)
Webmaster: Dr. Michael Kolb (aloha@niu.edu)