Programs

Students start in the Social Sciences Level 1 program and apply to the Anthropology BA Program at the end of their first year. Students must complete the requirements of a Level 1 program including two Level 1 Anthropology courses.

Completion of any Level I program with a Grade Point Average of at least 3.5 including a grade of at least C- in three units from ANTHROP 1AA3 or 1AB3.

Note: Students who have completed only 3 units of Level I Anthropology will be required to complete 3 more units of Level I Anthropology by the end of the following academic year.

THE RUTH LANDES PRIZE was established in 1982 in honour of Professor Ruth Landes for her outstanding contributions to the Department of Anthropology. To be awarded to a graduating student in a program in Anthropology who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. There is no need to apply for this award
Value: $100

There are numerous awards offered by the office of student financial aid and scholarships. See the links below for those eligible to Anthropology majors or look at the following website:http://sfas.mcmaster.ca/scholarshipinfo.html 

Beale-Lincoln-Hall Scholarship - Participation in formal exchange program

John P. Evans Travel Scholarship - Interest in Asian language or culture

Susan Vajoczki Legacy Travel Scholarship - pursuing research in pedagogy or earth sciences and travel

Howard P. Whidden Scholarship - French summer travel to Quebec

There are also a number of external awards available: http://sfas.mcmaster.ca/external_awards.html

Undergraduate Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards

All undergraduate students accepted for admission to McMaster University are automatically considered for a McMaster University entrance award. Additional entrance awards, in-course scholarships, bursaries and other forms of financial assistance is available to you at various stages of their undergraduate careers.

Each scholarship, bursary, Government Aid or Work Study Program a has its own unique application process and requirements. More information on financial aid visit the Student Financial Aid & Scholarship (SFAS) Office.

• Anthropology mentors
• McMaster Anthropology Society (MAS): mas@themsss.com
• Department of Anthropology Undergraduate Chair: Dr. Karen McGarry (mcgarry@mcmaster.ca)  
• Department of Anthropology Undergraduate Administrative Assistant: Marcia Furtado (anthdep@mcmaster.ca)

Academic Advising

The Academic Advising office is run through the Office of the Associate Dean. The primary goal of the Advising Office is to provide all Social Sciences undergraduate students with the information and guidance they need to succeed in their academic careers.

Advisors can help you make the right academic decisions by explaining policies and regulations as well as presenting different options and supports available in your studies.

An academic advisor can assist you with:

• Course requirements, dropping and adding courses
• Program selection, application and changes
• Studying abroad
• Transfer credits
• Petitions for missed term work, deferred examinations and special consideration
• Appeals procedures
• Referral to other campus services

Learn more about Academic Advising in the Social Sciences.

Students start in the Social Sciences Level 1 program and apply to the Anthropology Honours BA Program at the end of their first year. Students must complete the requirements of a Level 1 program including two Level 1 Anthropology courses.

Completion of any Level I program with a Grade Point Average of at least 5.0 including a grade of at least C in one of ANTHROP 1AA3 or 1AB3. For continuation in the program, see the section on Minimum Requirements for Entering and Continuing in a Program Beyond Level I in the Faculty of Social Sciences Academic Regulations.

Notes: 

1. Students enrolled in an Honours Anthropology program prior to September 2013 may substitute any level II, III, or IV Anthropology course for ANTHROP 3PD3.
2. Students who have completed only 3 units of Level I Anthropology will be required to complete 3 more units of Level I Anthropology by the end of the following academic year.

THE RUTH LANDES PRIZE was established in 1982 in honour of Professor Ruth Landes for her outstanding contributions to the Department of Anthropology. To be awarded to a graduating student in a program in Anthropology who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. There is no need to apply for this award
Value: $100

There are numerous awards offered by the office of student financial aid and scholarships. See the links below for those eligible to Anthropology majors or look at the following website:http://sfas.mcmaster.ca/scholarshipinfo.html 

Beale-Lincoln-Hall Scholarship - Participation in formal exchange program

John P. Evans Travel Scholarship - Interest in Asian language or culture

Susan Vajoczki Legacy Travel Scholarship - pursuing research in pedagogy or earth sciences and travel

Howard P. Whidden Scholarship - French summer travel to Quebec

There are also a number of external awards available: http://sfas.mcmaster.ca/external_awards.html

Undergraduate Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards

All undergraduate students accepted for admission to McMaster University are automatically considered for a McMaster University entrance award. Additional entrance awards, in-course scholarships, bursaries and other forms of financial assistance is available to you at various stages of their undergraduate careers.

Each scholarship, bursary, Government Aid or Work Study Program a has its own unique application process and requirements. More information on financial aid visit the Student Financial Aid & Scholarship (SFAS) Office.

• Anthropology mentors
• McMaster Anthropology Society (MAS): mas@themsss.com 
• Department of Anthropology Undergraduate Chair: Dr. Karen McGarry (mcgarry@mcmaster.ca)
• Department of Anthropology Undergraduate Administrative Assistant: Marcia Furtado: (anthdep@mcmaster.ca)

Academic Advising

The Academic Advising office is run through the Office of the Associate Dean. The primary goal of the Advising Office is to provide all Social Sciences undergraduate students with the information and guidance they need to succeed in their academic careers.

Advisors can help you make the right academic decisions by explaining policies and regulations as well as presenting different options and supports available in your studies.

An academic advisor can assist you with:

• Course requirements, dropping and adding courses
• Program selection, application and changes
• Studying abroad
• Transfer credits
• Petitions for missed term work, deferred examinations and special consideration
• Appeals procedures
• Referral to other campus services

Learn more about Academic Advising in the Social Sciences.

24 units total

6 units from:

• ANTHROP 1AA3 - Introduction to Anthropology: Sex, Food and Death
• ANTHROP 1AB3 - Introduction to Anthropology: Race, Religion and Conflict (for students registered prior to 2012, ANTHROP 1A03, 1B03, and 1Z03 can be used)

3 units from: 

• ANTHROP 2E03 - Introduction to Biological Anthropology
• ANTHROP 2F03 - Cultural Anthropology
• ANTHROP 2PA3 - Introduction to Anthropological Archaeology

15 units

• Levels II, III or IV Anthropology

Completion of Level 1 + 24 units

Undergraduate Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards

All undergraduate students accepted for admission to McMaster University are automatically considered for a McMaster University entrance award. Additional entrance awards, in-course scholarships, bursaries and other forms of financial assistance is available to you at various stages of their undergraduate careers.

Each scholarship, bursary, Government Aid or Work Study Program a has its own unique application process and requirements. More information on financial aid visit the Student Financial Aid & Scholarship (SFAS) Office.

• Anthropology mentors
• McMaster Anthropology Society (MAS): mas@themsss.com
• Department of Anthropology Undergraduate Chair: Dr. Karen McGarry: (mcgarry@mcmaster.ca)
• Department of Anthropology Undergraduate Administrative Assistant: Marcia Furtado (anthdep@mcmaster.ca)

Academic Advising

The Academic Advising office is run through the Office of the Associate Dean. The primary goal of the Advising Office is to provide all Social Sciences undergraduate students with the information and guidance they need to succeed in their academic careers.

Advisors can help you make the right academic decisions by explaining policies and regulations as well as presenting different options and supports available in your studies.

An academic advisor can assist you with:

• Course requirements, dropping and adding courses
• Program selection, application and changes
• Studying abroad
• Transfer credits
• Petitions for missed term work, deferred examinations and special consideration
• Appeals procedures
• Referral to other campus services

Learn more about Academic Advising in the Social Sciences.

Undergraduate Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards

All undergraduate students accepted for admission to McMaster University are automatically considered for a McMaster University entrance award. Additional entrance awards, in-course scholarships, bursaries and other forms of financial assistance is available to you at various stages of their undergraduate careers.

Each scholarship, bursary, Government Aid or Work Study Program a has its own unique application process and requirements. More information on financial aid visit the Student Financial Aid & Scholarship (SFAS) Office.

• Anthropology mentors
• McMaster Anthropology Society (MAS): mas@themsss.com
• Department of Anthropology Undergraduate Chair: Dr. Karen McGarry: (mcgarry@mcmaster.ca )
• Department of Anthropology Undergraduate Administrative Assistant: Marcia Furtado (anthdep@mcmaster.ca)

Academic Advising

The Academic Advising office is run through the Office of the Associate Dean. The primary goal of the Advising Office is to provide all Social Sciences undergraduate students with the information and guidance they need to succeed in their academic careers.

Advisors can help you make the right academic decisions by explaining policies and regulations as well as presenting different options and supports available in your studies.

An academic advisor can assist you with:

• Course requirements, dropping and adding courses
• Program selection, application and changes
• Studying abroad
• Transfer credits
• Petitions for missed term work, deferred examinations and special consideration
• Appeals procedures
• Referral to other campus services

Learn more about Academic Advising in the Social Sciences.

• Four graduate level courses (Thesis-based)
• Six graduate level courses (Course-based)
• Participation in the professionalization workshop in first year of program
• MA thesis (Thesis-based)
• Major Research Paper (Course-based)

Criteria of Admission

Admission Requirements for Master’s Degree

The University requires, as the major indicator of ability to complete a Master’s program successfully, the holding of an Honours bachelor’s degree with at least a B+ average (equivalent to a McMaster 8.5 GPA out of 12) in the most current 20 half credit courses in the discipline, or relating to the discipline, in which the applicant proposes to do graduate work.

Applicants are advised that admission is highly competitive, and that achieving this minimum scholastic criterion is normally not sufficient for an offer of admission. In evaluating applications, the department carefully scrutinizes the total application package, including letters of reference, a statement of interest, and a sample of recent work. Applicants must have clearly developed intellectual and research interests. MA applicants should have at least a tentatively defined thesis research project or subject area(s) for the major research paper (MRP) or comprehensive exams.

In some circumstances, exceptionally qualified students holding an Honours BA in Anthropology may be offered direct entry into the Ph.D program.

Important: If English is not your native language:

Applicants are required to submit evidence of their proficiency in the English language as part of their application. The most common evidence is a score on one of the following exams:

• TOEFL: minimum score of 92 (internet based), 237 (computer based) or 580 (paper based)
• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score of 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each section
• MELAB: minimum score of 90

Applicants who have completed an academic ESL program through Canadian academic institutions may petition to have this considered in lieu of TOEFL

Funding

Students to whom we offer admission are automatically considered for financial assistance from funds available to the Anthropology Department – no special forms need be filled out. Funding is awarded on academic excellence and the availability of funds (amounts vary from year to year.) Funding is open to all domestic students. This fall seventy-one percent (71%) of our returning MA & PhD students and incoming PhD students have won a major external scholarship.  The total of these major external scholarships is just under $457,000! 

The Harry Lyman Hooker Senior Scholarship: These awards are given to Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents who are entering the first year of a Master's or Doctoral program at McMaster in those Humanities or Social Sciences disciplines or fields of study that receive funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (or its successor).

All applicants  should also review the McMaster Ontario Graduate Scholarship process.

Masters

• There is no guaranteed minimum level of funding for students in the Masters program, but students offered a place in the Thesis program are typically offered funding for two years.
• Applicants should apply for this federal scholarship if they meet the eligibility requirements.  Deadline:  December 1, 2016. Please choose McMaster as one of your five choices for University. 
• If you are currently in a Master's program, you are required to apply via your home university. Check with your current department for the internal deadline; typically it is in October.

Travel Scholarships

• Department of Anthropology Fieldwork and Conference Funds. There are two rounds typically October and March.  Application information can be found by clicking here.
• Funding for conference attendance is open to all full-time graduate students in the department.
• Fieldwork funding is open to all full-time students in the PhD program.
• The Schmid Family Travel Fund: Open to Masters or PhD enrolled full time at McMaster.  The funds are to be used to support travel to present at conferences or undertake field research relevant to anthropology.  Number available varies.
• The Edith M Wightman Travel Scholarships: The award is available to students registered in or, admitted to a McMaster graduate program in ancient history or, archaeology, to help support travel costs associated with thesis research or sponsored archaeological projects in Europe and the Mediterranean. Number available varies.
• SGS Grant in Aid for Research Travel and Field Work: The School of Graduate Studies Research Travel and Field Work Fund (SGS Grant) is designed to support highly meritorious students whose Ph.D. research and scholarly activity requires travel to, and extended stay at, locations more than 200 km from McMaster. The Fund is intended to support projects that are critical for completion of the PhD thesis and that normally would not be possible through other means. 

Bursaries 

• There are some funds available for bursaries, awarded on the basis of financial need. Students should apply directly to Student Financial Aid. 
• GSA/SGS Bursary: Bursaries are set at a current value of $500. Applications may be submitted at any time. A maximum of 3 bursaries will be awarded each academic year. Please note that graduate students are only eligible to receive one GSA bursary per academic year.
•  Alternatively, students in health related research (social psychology) may want to apply to the Canadian Institute of Health Research Doctoral Research Awards.   

All applicants  should also review the McMaster Ontario Graduate Scholarship process.

University Graduate support services include:

• Graduate Student Association (GSA)
• Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)
• Graduate Student Services

• Four graduate level courses
• Participation in the professionalization workshop in first year of program
• Comprehensive examination
• Thesis with defense

Criteria of Admission

Admission Requirements for Ph.D Degree

For applicants who hold a Master’s degree, the primary requirements are distinction in their previous graduate work (equivalent to at least a McMaster B+), and strong letters of reference.

Normally a student will have completed the requirements for an MA degree in anthropology before their admission into the doctoral program. Since application for the program is usually made before completion of the MA degree, a student may be accepted conditionally on completion of the MA degree.

For purposes of admission, an MA in anthropology from any other university is considered equivalent to that awarded by McMaster. Equivalence also is recognized between an MA degree achieved by examination, by course work alone, by thesis, or by major research paper. It should be noted, however, that students who have major gaps in their anthropological background will be required to undertake additional work after admission into the program.

A student who is already registered in the MA program at McMaster may apply for the department's PhD program. Registration in the MA program does not guarantee admission into the PhD program.

In some circumstances, exceptionally qualified students holding an Honours BA in Anthropology may be offered direct entry into the Ph.D program.

Admission to the doctoral program is very competitive and is based on a consideration of demonstrated scholarly excellence, suitability of research interests, availability of appropriate supervision, and availability of openings. Most successful applicants have sufficient background in their area of specialization within anthropology to benefit from advanced training in the field. Completion of the minimum requirements for acceptance into the doctoral program does not guarantee acceptance. It should also be understood that all applicants for the doctoral program for a given year, whether already enrolled at McMaster or not, normally will have been considered together during the second term of the preceding year. A discussion of required application materials and procedures can be found in this handbook.

Only under exceptional circumstances will the department consider for admission any student who has taken two prior degrees in anthropology at McMaster.

Important: If English is not your native language:

Applicants are required to submit evidence of their proficiency in the English language as part of their application. The most common evidence is a score on one of the following exams:

• TOEFL: minimum score of 92 (internet based), 237 (computer based) or 580 (paper based)
• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score of 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each section
• MELAB: minimum score of 90

Applicants who have completed an academic ESL program through Canadian academic institutions may petition to have this considered in lieu of TOEFL

Funding

• Students to whom we offer admission are automatically considered for financial assistance from funds available to the Anthropology Department – no special forms need be filled out. Funding is awarded on academic excellence and the availability of funds (amounts vary from year to year.) Funding is open to all domestic students. This fall seventy-one percent (71%) of our returning MA & PhD students and incoming PhD students have won a major external scholarship.  The total of these major external scholarships is just under $457,000!
• The Harry Lyman Hooker Senior Scholarship: These awards are given to Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents who are entering the first year of a Master's or Doctoral program at McMaster in those Humanities or Social Sciences disciplines or fields of study that receive funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (or its successor).
• All applicants  should also review the McMaster Ontario Graduate Scholarship process.

Ph.D.

• McMaster has a guaranteed minimum level of funding for domestic PhD students offered a place on the program. The majority of our PhD students receive significantly more than the minimum, currently set at $17,500 (per year for 4 years).
• Applicants are advised to apply for federal scholarships (not applicable for international applicants). If you are currently in a Master's program, you are required to apply via your home university. Check with your current department for the internal deadline; typically it is in October.
• Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program Doctoral Scholarships, and SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships.
• Alternatively, students in health related research may want to apply to the Canadian Institute of Health Research Doctoral Research Awards.   
• Information on CIHR doctoral awards can be found at http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/193.html

Travel Scholarships

• Department of Anthropology Fieldwork and Conference Funds. There are two rounds typically October and March.  Application information can be found by clicking here.
• Funding for conference attendance is open to all full-time graduate students in the department.
• Fieldwork funding is open to all full-time students in the PhD program.
• The Schmid Family Travel Fund: Open to Masters or PhD enrolled full time at McMaster.  The funds are to be used to support travel to present at conferences or undertake field research relevant to anthropology.  Number available varies.
• The Edith M Wightman Travel Scholarships: The award is available to students registered in or, admitted to a McMaster graduate program in ancient history or, archaeology, to help support travel costs associated with thesis research or sponsored archaeological projects in Europe and the Mediterranean. Number available varies.
• SGS Grant in Aid for Research Travel and Field Work: The School of Graduate Studies Research Travel and Field Work Fund (SGS Grant) is designed to support highly meritorious students whose Ph.D. research and scholarly activity requires travel to, and extended stay at, locations more than 200 km from McMaster. The Fund is intended to support projects that are critical for completion of the PhD thesis and that normally would not be possible through other means. 

Bursaries 

There are some funds available for bursaries, awarded on the basis of financial need. Students should apply directly to Student Financial Aid. 

• GSA/SGS Bursary: Bursaries are set at a current value of $500. Applications may be submitted at any time. A maximum of 3 bursaries will be awarded each academic year. Please note that graduate students are only eligible to receive one GSA bursary per academic year. 

All applicants  should also review the McMaster Ontario Graduate Scholarship process.

University Graduate support services include:

• Graduate Student Association (GSA) 
• Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)
• Graduate Student Services