MA Anthropology at University of California, Los Angeles

Programme overview

MA Anthropology is a master's programme in Anthropology, College of Letters and Science at UCLA. Areas of study: Archaeology; biological anthropology; linguistic anthropology; and sociocultural anthropology.

Faculty: College of Letters and Science | Department: Anthropology | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall | Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

What you will study

Areas of study: Archaeology; biological anthropology; linguistic anthropology; and sociocultural anthropology. The minimum course load is 12 units per quarter. However, this may be waived for good cause by petition, with the approval of the student's committee chair and the department chair. Students must be registered and enrolled at all times unless on an official leave of absence. The M.A. degree requires 10 courses (40 units) taken for a letter grade, with a minimum 3.0 grade-point average. 24 of the required 40 units must be graduate level courses (200 series).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Application deadline: December 1, 2026. GRE: Not required. Letters of recommendation: 3, preferably from anthropologists. In addition to the University's minimum requirements and those listed above, all applicants are required to submit a writing sample, a statement of purpose, and a resume/CV. The department requires that two faculty members sponsor an applicant before admission is recommended. Prospective sponsors are canvassed by the Departmental Admissions Committee, but it is also appropriate for applicants to contact potential sponsors. All applicants apply for the Ph.D. The M.A. is considered to be a step on the path to the Ph.D; initial admission to the graduate program is thus offered only to applicants intending to pursue the Ph.D.

Most graduate departments and schools have deadlines in November and early December for the following fall term.

Graduate application fee: $135 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, $155 for all other applicants, $200 for the Global Executive MBA for Asia Pacific, Master of Financial Engineering and MS in Business Analytics; nonrefundable, paid by card with the online Application for Graduate Admission.

Executive MBA: rolling admission for fall entry; Round 1 December 1, 2026, Round 2 February 1, 2027, Round 3 May 1, 2027; application fee $200.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/steps-to-apply/

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