Graduate Program

Graduate Program in Anthropology and Applied Archaeology

We have a 50-year history of graduate education in anthropology. Our program is designed to prepare students for a career in public or private archaeology or to pursue a doctoral degree. This specially focused master's program concentrates on the archaeology and bioarchaeology of the U.S. Southwest and Plains. The department's up-to-date facilities are located in a newly-renovated building and instruction is supplemented by the Blackwater Draw National Historical Landmark archaeological site, the Blackwater Draw Museum, the Agency for Conservation Archaeology, and a variety of opportunities for student employment and research within the department. We welcome students right out of a bachelor's degree program as well as those who are starting a second career or who have been working for a while and are ready to move forward by earning a master's degree.

Coursework is offered in the following areas of faculty expertise: Southwest archaeology, Paleoindian studies, lithic technology, zooarchaeology, GIS, hunter-gatherers, geoarchaeology, historic preservation, cultural resource management, osteology and ceramics. Students can choose from two options: either a master's thesis or a combination of an internship and research project. The non-thesis plan is now also offered as an online alternative for students who cannot come to campus for regular class meeting times and prefer not to write a traditional thesis. The ANTH 510 Internship requirement is flexible and may be completed either virtually with ENMU or another entity, or with the student's present employer, if willing. Some elective classes may not be offered online. Scroll down for more information about our graduate program online alternative, or contact us at enmu.anthropology@enmu.edu.

Tuition and fees for a full-time, non-resident graduate student are only $389.25 per credit hour while New Mexico residents pay only $293.50 per credit hour. Graduate assistantships which include a stipend and an out-of-state tuition waiver are available for qualified students. Additional part-time paid position working in the department may also be available.

Students interested in applying to our program should submit an online application to the Graduate School and have official copies of all transcripts sent to ENMU. Applicants also need to submit the following items to apply for admission to the graduate program in anthropology. Applications are reviewed year round as they're received.

One- to two-page letter of introduction and intent
Current resume or curriculum vitae
Two letters of recommendation written and sent by academic or professional references

Use the tabs above to learn more about current graduate students, alumni, degree requirements, course offerings, and more. Don't hesistate to contact us at (575) 562-2206 or enmu.anthropology@enmu.edu for more information about our program.

We now have a new accelerated bachelor's-to-master's program for students who want to receive their bachelor's and master's degrees in anthropology from ENMU. More information will be posted soon.

#ENMUAnthro

Online Option FAQ

Graduate Program in Anthropology Online Alternative FAQ

What degree can I earn with the online option?

You can earn a Master of Arts degree with a major in Anthropology.

Am I required to take any in-person classes or spend any time on campus?

The degree can be completed without taking any in-person classes or spending time on campus.

What are the graduation requirements for the online option?

You will need to complete a total of 34 credits, including a combination of required and elective classes, with a GPA of 3.0.

Do I need to write a thesis?

The online alternative is best suited for our non-thesis option. If you prefer to pursue the thesis option, you should discuss this ahead of time with a faculty member.

What are the specific requirements for the non-thesis option?

The non-thesis option requires a total of 34 credits, including a three-credit internship in applied anthropology. The student must also complete a research paper or project, with a publishable-quality final product.

Where can I do the internship?

You can complete the internship with your current employer, if they agree, or with another business, organization, or entity. You are responsible for setting up your own internship, although your advisor may be able to help.

What classes will be offered online?

All required classes and some elective classes will be offered online. Some elective classes, especially those requiring intense hands-on work, will not be offered online.

How long will it take to complete the online program?

A student taking a normal full-time course load of nine credits per semester can complete the program in two years.

What do I need to do to start this program?

You need to apply and be accepted to both the ENMU Graduate School and the ENMU Department of Anthropology and Applied Archaeology graduate program.

What if I don't have a bachelor's degree in Anthropology?

You will still be considered for acceptance to the ENMU graduate program in Anthropology, but you may be required to take undergraduate leveling courses in addition to all graduate course requirements.

How can I get more information about the online program?

For more information, contact Dr. Robert Stokes at robert.stokes@enmu.edu or Barbara Senn at barbara.senn@enmu.edu.

Graduate Program FAQ

Graduate Program in Anthropology FAQ

What are the two degree options in this program?
	We offer a thesis option and a non-thesis option, both of which lead to a Master of Arts in Anthropology degree. The thesis option requires 33 credits, including 6 credits of ANTH 599 Thesis, and the completion and defense of a thesis. The non-thesis option requires 34 credits including an internship and a research report.
What is the prospectus?
	The prospectus is a written paper outlining the research you plan to do for your thesis or research report. It should be about 20 pages long and follow the format presented in the ANTH 501 Anthropological Research Foundations class. Both thesis and non-thesis students need to complete a prospectus.
What is the colloquium?
	The colloquium is the oral presentation of your prospectus. After the prospectus has been approved by your committee, you'll give a public presentation of no more than 20 minutes followed by time for questions and comments. Both thesis and non-thesis students present a colloquium. The colloquium needs to be completed before data collection begins for your research.
What is the defense?
	The defense is an oral presentation and defense of your thesis or research report. The thesis defense is open to the public, similar to the colloquium. The research report defense is done only with your committee members.
How long does it take to write a thesis?
	That depends entirely on the individual student. A rule of thumb is one semester to collect data and at least one semester to analyze it and write it up.
What formatting style should I use for my thesis or research report?
	You should follow the Society for American Archaeology's style guide.
How many people should be on my graduate advisory committee?
	You need at least three ENMU faculty or staff members on your committee, one of whom serves as committee chair and your advisor. Not all committee members need to be from the Anthropology Department. You can also have additional members from outside of ENMU.
When should I update my degree plan?
	You should update your degree plan when you choose the members of your committee. You should update it again the semester you plan to graduate to be sure that everything is in order. You can also update it at other times if substantial changes are made. The updated degree plan goes to the Graduate School with a copy to the Anthropology Department secretary for the department file.
How long do I have to complete my graduate work?
	All work, including the thesis or research report defense, must be completed within six years of enrolling in the first course on your degree plan. If extenuating circumstances prevent you from completing the work within six years, you can apply for an extension to this time limit. An extension is not automatic - it must be approved by your advisor, the Anthropology Department faculty members, and the Graduate Council. When planning your work timeline, don't assume that an extension will be granted.
Can I work in the department while I'm a graduate student?
	Qualified students may be awarded a graduate assistantship. GAs work 10-20 hours per week in the department gaining valuable para-professional experience while receiving a stipend and paying the in-state resident rate for tuition. There are also opportunities for some graduate students to work on an hourly basis at the Blackwater Draw Museum, at the Blackwater Draw archaeological site, in our curation lab, or assisting with faculty research.

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