UMass Boston

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of recognized standing or an international equivalent at the time of enrollment
• A minimum, cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or international equivalent) in all undergraduate work
• Official transcripts for all institutions where you have earned more than 6 credits; if your transcript is in a language other than English, please include an English translation, validated by an official public translator
• Statement of purpose
• This statement of purpose is your opportunity to show the graduate admissions committee why you wish to pursue graduate study, as well as your specific interests and goals. Focus on your interests in historical archaeology, in general, and, more specifically, the program at UMass Boston.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• If applicable, request official TOEFL, IELTS, PTE and Duolingo scores to be sent to the University of Massachusetts Boston

Deadlines: February 1 for fall

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Estimate Your Program Cost: Get a feel for your expected program costs using the Graduate Program Cost Calculator.

Program Cost Information: For more detailed information on costs, please visit the Bursar's website.

Required Courses (9 Credits)

• ANTH 625 - Graduate Seminar in Historical Archaeology 3 Credit(s)
• ANTH 640 - Archaeological Methods and Analysis 3 Credit(s)
• ANTH 665 - Graduate Seminar in Archaeology 3 Credit(s)

Fieldwork Course (6 Credits)

Students who can demonstrate sufficient field training and receive approval from the graduate program director may waive this requirement and complete six credits of additional elective courses.

• ANTH 685 - Advanced Practicum in Field Archaeology 3-10 Credit(s)

Electives (15 Credits)

Complete five courses from below.

• ANTH 615 - Public Archaeology 3 Credit(s)
• ANTH 635 - Material Life in New England 3 Credit(s)
• ANTH 643 - Reconstruction the African Diaspora 3 Credit(s)
• ANTH 645 - Topics in Environmental Archaeology 3 Credit(s)
• ANTH 650 - Materials in Ancient Societies 5 Credit(s)
• ANTH 655 - Historical Landscapes and Geographic Information Systems 3 Credit(s)
• ANTH 672 - Culture Contact and Colonialism in the Americas 3 Credit(s)
• ANTH 696 - Independent Study 1-6 Credit(s)
• ANTH 697 - Special Topics in Archaeology 1-6 Credit(s)
• ANTH 698 - Practicum in Archaeology 1-10 Credit(s)
• AMST 604 - Gender and Sexuality in US History and Culture 3 Credit(s)
• AMST 605 - Ethnicity, Race, and Nationality 3 Credit(s)
• HIST 620 - Introduction to Public History and Popular Memory 3 Credit(s)
• HIST 625 - Interpreting History in Public Approaches to Public History Practice 3 Credit(s)
• HIST 688 - Oral History 3 Credit(s)

Thesis Course (6 Credits)

• ANTH 699 - Thesis Research Projects in Historical Archaeology 6-10 Credit(s)

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

Graduate students in the Historical Archaeology MA program will develop:

• an advanced understanding of social theories commonly employed in the analysis of cultural processes covering the last 500 years.
• an appreciation of the value and goals of collaboration with descendent communities and stakeholders.
• a thorough understanding of the major paradigms and epistemological underpinnings of the discipline.
• a comprehensive understanding of major themes studied by historical archaeologists including the African diaspora, colonialism, capitalism, indigeneity, and racialization.
• an advanced understanding of archaeological field methods and experience with decision-making.
• skill in identifying, analyzing, and interpreting the material culture commonly found on archaeological sites from the last 500 years, particularly in North America.
• the ability to plan, conduct, and present original research that engages significant anthropological questions regarding the development of the modern world.

Complete 33 credits from ten courses including three required courses, one fieldwork course, five electives, and one thesis course.

Capstone: Completion and defense of a thesis based on original research.

Minimum grade: No course with a grade below B- may be applied toward the program.
Statute of limitations: Six years.

Graduate Program Director Heather Trigg
heather.trigg@umb.edu

Graduate Program Coordinator Marisa D. Patalano
marisa.patalano@umb.edu