Master of Arts - Anthropology

San Francisco State University

Program Description

Anthropology at San Francisco State focuses on the study of humanity from archaeological, biological, cultural, and visual perspectives. Students are introduced to human populations past and present and explore how anthropology can advance efforts in social justice. Anthropologists document, investigate, and seek to understand cultures of other times and places, and they also play important roles in social and political debate and advocacy.

The Master of Arts in Anthropology is offered for those who plan to use their master’s training to seek employment, obtain a teaching credential or apply to a doctoral program. Students benefit from intensive seminars and close supervisor-student interaction in their thesis research, project and lab work, and ethnographic filmmaking, and other creative works.

Training in anthropology prepares students for a wide range of careers. Anthropology majors can gain an extremely wide range of skills – from osteological analysis to ethnographic research. Graduates have gotten jobs in fields that include health and medical services, community organizing and advocacy, cultural resource management, museum research and education, urban planning, international economic development, environmental assessment, media, user experience (UX) research, market research, education, social work, investigative journalism, public policy, social services, early childhood education, and filmmaking.