University of British Columbia Masters Degrees in Anthropology

MA Program

Our MA program provides students with a broad knowledge of anthropological theory and research methods. Students build their research and writing skills in their graduate courses, culminating in the preparation of a significant piece of scholarly writing, which constitutes their MA thesis. The MA in Anthropology at UBC is based upon a combination of coursework, research and a thesis. Most students attain their degree within two years of starting the program; it is possible for a well-organized person to complete degree requirements during the first twelve to eighteen months of study.

The MA at UBC consists of the following course of study. Candidates must successfully complete

(1) Anthropology 500 (History of Anthropology)

(2) a professional seminar (Anth 506)

(3) an advanced methods course in ethnographic, archaeological or museum studies

(4) at least six credits of other elective courses

(5) after submitting an approved thesis proposal, a six credit thesis. The Anthropology MA thesis at UBC is modeled upon an article in a scholarly journal. It may be based upon original field research. In all cases, MA theses are limited to no more than 50 pages.

The Department accepts part-time MA candidates. The admission and residency requirements are the same as for the regular MA program, and the degree must also be completed within a five-year period. Anthropology 500 and 506 must be completed in the first year of study, the thesis proposal by the end of the second year.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Arts
- Specialization: Anthropology
- Subject: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Thesis required
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts

Research focus

UBC offers graduate study in the fields of socio-cultural anthropology (including legal, medical, and ecological anthropology, oral and expressive culture, religion, globalization, and applied anthropology), linguistic anthropology, anthropological archaeology, biological anthropology, and museum studies. Faculty research interests include North America, Asia (Russia, India, Japan, and Korea), Mesoamerica, South America, Oceania, Europe, and Africa. The program provides training in quantitative, qualitative, archaeological and museum methods.

Related Study Areas

Interdisciplinary contacts are encouraged, and links are maintained with departments and programs such as Asian Studies, the Institute of Asian Research, Linguistics, History, Geography, Sociology, and the Centre for Women's and Gender Studies.

Facilities

Extensive research facilities are available in the Museum of Anthropology, and in the Laboratory of Archaeology. The UBC Library has excellent collections to support program interests, as well as a large collection of microform theses and dissertations, and the Human Relations Area files. Anthropology has a dedicated graduate computer lab with a wide range of software to support quantitative and qualitative research.

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General Information

Admission to the MA program in Asian Studies normally requires a Bachelor of Arts with first-class standing in Chinese, Japanese, Korean or South Asian languages. This implies at least four years of language study; in the case of East Asian languages, applicants who also have experience studying the target language intensively in-country for an extended period of time tend to advance through our program more quickly. The Department is prepared, in exceptional circumstances, to accept a limited number of students who are otherwise well qualified and show linguistic aptitude but have less than this amount of preparation in the target language. Such students will be required to spend one or two extra years in their MA program making up this deficiency.
Those interested in Asia-related modern history, political science, commerce, economics, geography, fine arts, anthropology or sociology, should apply to the department concerned.
Please be advised that we don’t accept late applications and we don’t have January or May admissions.
Most students begin their program at the start of the Winter Session (First Tuesday in September, after Labor Day). Under special circumstances students may be allowed to begin their program in the second term of the Winter Session, that is, in January (after New Year’s Day).
Candidacy in the M. A. program may be terminated if the degree is not awarded within a period of five years from initial registration. Program extension or on-leave status is possible only in certain exceptional circumstances.
Students’ progress will be reviewed during spring term of each year. A candidate may be required to withdraw if progress has not been satisfactory.
A graduate student’s registration for a second term in a degree program will be blocked until all conditions for admission to that program have been met.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Arts
- Specialization: Asian Studies
- Subject: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Thesis required
- Registration options: Full-time
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts

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The MA in Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice is a vibrant, interdisciplinary graduate program that attracts excellent students from around the world. Our students pursue their interests in areas as diverse as blue collar alliances with neoconservative movements, and post-communist Eastern European women’s narratives of trauma. Many of our faculty are cross-appointed giving the program strong connections in areas such as sociology, English, environment and development, community and regional planning, anthropology, and classical and religious studies.

Each year we receive approximately 35 applications and admit 4-6 students. Most will complete the program in 18-24 months, with thesis students taking a little longer than those writing an extended essay.

Students in the GRSJ MA program will complete 30 credits of course work in total, including their choice of a thesis (9 credits) or extended essay (3 credits). Incoming students will be assigned a pro tem advisor to guide them in planning their program of study.

The Social Justice @ UBC Networks provide opportunities for graduate students to interact with other students and faculty on shared themes of interest. Being interdisciplinary networks, there is also participation from across UBC departments and units, providing key avenues to extend networks across the campus community. To date, the thematic networks have held workshops and colloquia, sponsored guest artists and lectures, and published materials. We see the networks as invaluable training opportunities for our graduate students to engage and interact around targeted focal themes and to work with key academics and activists.

All successful applicants to the program will be considered for partial scholarship funding. A separate application is not required. Incoming students may also apply for Graduate Academic Assistantships.

Students are provided with shared office space and desks, and access to a photocopier with printing and high-speed scanning capability. Laptops may be signed out for day use, and lockers are available on request. The GRSJ main office has a kitchen and lounge space shared by students, faculty and staff, and a meeting room which may be booked by students.

The GRSJ Graduate Student Association pursues activist, social justice and equity issues, and hosts social events throughout the year.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Arts
- Specialization: Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice
- Subject: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Options
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts

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