MA in Public Anthropology at Boston University

Programme overview

The Master's in Public Anthropology (MAPA) is designed to provide students with a basic anthropological training and an appreciation of the significance of a cross-cultural perspective in professional practice.

Faculty: Graduate School of Arts & Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Boston, MA, United States

What you will study

Students enrolled in the program are expected to complete a minimum of eight term courses (32 units) at the 500 level or higher and must achieve an overall grade point average of 3.0 (B) in their coursework. All students are required to take CAS AN 701 Anthropology across Sub-Disciplines (4 units) and to choose one of among four core graduate courses in anthropology:

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Prospective students should explain in the Personal Statement of their application how they expect anthropology to enhance their capability or improve their effectiveness in their chosen career. Prior work or research experience in a relevant field is a plus. This is important because students who enter the program with well-defined goals derive the most benefit from the resources the department and the University have to offer.

USD 73,024 a year (2026-27). Full-time tuition (12-18 credits per semester, $36,512 per semester) for Graduate School of Arts & Sciences master's students for 2026-27, as stated on the CAS cost of attendance page. Tuition only: excludes student services and health & wellness fees, he Source

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences master's programmes admit for Fall 2027; Spring 2027 entry is offered for selected programmes (Economics MS programmes, History of Art & Architecture MA, Preservation Studies MA, Online MS in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence).

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Fall 2027 master's deadlines are mostly priority January 15 and final March 15 (African American & Black Diaspora Studies priority February 15, final March 15; Preservation Studies February 15; Sociology and History of Art & Architecture January 15). Spring 2027 deadlines for selected programmes are priority October 15 and final November 15. Applications are submitted through the online application; the GRE is required only for the Economics MS/MA programmes and the MS in Psychological & Brain Sciences.

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