MS in Forensic Anthropology at Boston University

Programme overview

A full-time 42-unit MS training students in biological and skeletal anthropology methods used in medicolegal death investigations. It covers osteology, field and excavation methods, taphonomy, trauma analysis and human identification, culminating in a thesis.

Faculty: Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine | Department: Graduate Medical Sciences | Duration: Full-time; 42 units | Study mode: full-time | Location: Boston, MA, United States

What you will study

Core courses in forensic anthropology (GMS FA series) with electives in Forensic Pathology and Advanced Crime Scene Investigation; students may also take certain Biomedical Forensic Sciences courses and complete a graduate research project and thesis.

Career pathways

Graduates may pursue a PhD in Anthropology or work in state medical examiner offices, government or private crime laboratories, law enforcement or academic settings, or continue to medical, law or physician assistant programs.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate Medical Sciences general eligibility: applicants must have completed all requirements for a baccalaureate degree and meet the GMS Technical Standards.

Requirements published at faculty level.

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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