The department offers graduate programs leading to a Master of Arts degree (Plan A thesis option or Plan B portfolio option). It also has a Master of Arts specialization in each of four programmatic areas: Health and Well-Being, Humans and the Environment, International Development and Globalization, and Professional Methods and Techniques. Students may develop a research project or professional program in these programmatic areas, or in any area related to our faculty’s research interests. Health and Well-Being—studies the ways that human health and wellness are influenced by past and present sociocultural, environmental, biological, and biocultural forces, by drawing from broad and holistic perspectives on human well-being. Humans and the Environment—investigates how past and present human activities influence the environment; the ways ecological and other processes affect human evolution and the human condition today; and the resilience of social and ecological systems. International Development and Globalization—examines how local societies respond to global influences; the extent to which cultural meanings, beliefs, institutions, structures of inequality, and social relations between genders and among kin are changing as a result; and how processes of economic and community development can improve basic aspects of human welfare. Professional Methods and Techniques—develops skills in a wide range of methods and techniques used by professionals in applied anthropology, federal and state natural resource agencies, and other arenas of social, historical, biological and spatial research about humans. These include qualitative research and interview protocols, quantitative analysis, GIS and remote sensing, archaeological field survey, historic archaeological methods, culture and heritage resource management, and paleoanthropological methods.

A complete application consists of the following: Admissions Form Statement of Purpose Copies of transcripts from each college/university attended Previous institutions should submit official transcripts to CSU using institution code 4075. GRE General Test scores Scores must be less than five years old. The testing agency should submit scores to CSU using institution code 4075. Writing sample Select an example of academic writing that shows your capacity for rigorous analysis and independent thought as well as your writing skills. MA/MS theses, published papers on which you are the lead author, and term papers are all acceptable. Three letters of recommendation Letters from prior faculty familiar with your academic record are preferred. Letters should be submitted electronically by the authors. Recent TOEFL scores These are required of all applicants whose native language is not English or who have not received a Bachelors or MA/MS degree from an accredited college or university where the primary language of instruction is English. Application – you must apply and be accepted into a degree program. Application fee – $60 (U.S. citizen/permanent resident), $70 (international) non-refundable application fee GRE/GMAT Scores – Contact the academic department to verify whether the GRE/GMAT is required. Official transcripts/credential & certified translations – Official transcripts or mark sheets and any certificates, diplomas, or degrees from each college or university attended is required regardless of the length of attendance, including courses in progress. Final records will be required upon completion of the course or degree. ALL records submitted must be in the native language; any credentials written in languages other than English MUST be accompanied by a certified English translation (Colorado State University transcripts are not required). Letters of Recommendation – A minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation are required from previous instructors or employers who are able to comment on your abilities and potential for graduate study. You may provide contact information for up to five (5) recommenders. There is no standardized format unless specified by the academic department. Your recommenders will be notified and prompted to supply a recommendation letter through the system. Academic references should be prepared to discuss your academic knowledge and skills, aptitude for graduate study, ability for independent research, and classroom performance related to characteristics such as integrity, leadership, problem solving, and teamwork. Choosing an individual as a reference who has an impressive title but cannot discuss the aforementioned qualities will not result in an informative letter of recommendation that supports your admission. Writing any portion of the recommendations yourself, either in whole or in part, may result in rejection or dismissal. Additional Departmental Requirments – Please contact the academic department to which you are applying to, as it may require additional supplemental information. For international students also: English Proficiency – Regardless of citizenship, applicants may be required to demonstrate proof of English proficiency. Request that examination scores be reported to Colorado State University. The institution code is 4075. Photocopies are not accepted. Minimum TOEFL score for admission without condition is 550 (paper based), or 80 (internet based). Minimum IELTS score for admission without condition is 6.5. Minimum PTE score for admission without condition is 58. Your department may have higher TOEFL/IELTS/PTE score requirements. Students are exempted from the English Proficiency requirement if the official language of their country is English or if they have recently earned a degree at an American University.