Biological Anthropology

Biological anthropology is the study of human structure, variation, and evolution. It has been radically transformed in recent years because of the virtual explosion of knowledge that has occurred in the natural sciences. In the past, much of what used to be called “physical anthropology” was largely descriptive and involved detailed accounts of human fossil discoveries, measurement of the human and primate skeleton, dissection of primate cadavers and description of their anatomy, and some field studies of behavior.

Archaeology

Archaeology is the study of past human cultures and is based on interpreting the physical remains that have been left behind: buildings; tombs; tools; and other objects of everyday life. Over the past 125 years, archaeology has developed a distinct methodology, somewhat akin to the work of detectives at a crime scene, for reconstructing the past from the material evidence. Although sharing with history a concern with the past, the focus in archaeology is more on what people actually did rather than on what they say they did in written texts.

Cultural Anthropology

Cultural anthropology is the cross-cultural study of contemporary human communities. Cultural anthropologists may investigate such phenomena as language, family structure, political organization, subsistence patterns, historical change, religious practices, and medical beliefs. Their findings are based on ethnographic fieldwork that may be conducted anywhere in the world, from a Himalayan village or a remote Pacific island to New York City or Kent, Ohio.

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Anthropology - M.A.

The Master of Arts degree in Anthropology provides opportunities for students to study in three fields: cultural anthropology, archaeology and biological anthropology. The research-oriented program encourages students to develop their own projects or participate in existing projects by their second semester. More than 80 percent of M.A. graduates continue for the Ph.D. degree or find employment in an area directly related to their training.

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Program Information for Anthropology - M.A.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a holistic view of human cultures. They are to appreciate that the global species is a social and cultural as well as a biological organism, with a past that is both historic and prehistoric. A student who wishes to emphasize socio-cultural anthropology will demonstrate a fundamental appreciation of diverse human and institutional behavior.
  2. Appreciate and demonstrate how anthropologists investigate the past using the methods of the social sciences and the natural sciences, particularly geography and geology. They demonstrate comprehension of anthropology’s special role in making archaeology(particularly the study of prehistoric Ohio, woodland North America and Mesoamerica) come to life and become relevant for them. In addition, they gain a special appreciation of archaeology’s other mandate — the need to conserve the precious heritage of the archaeological record, not only Ohio’s but that of the Americas and the Old World as well.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of biological anthropology as the most relevant evolution science, the one which gives them an appreciation of their own place in nature. They see the two dimensions of human evolution and adaptation: a global one (modern human variation) and a deep temporal one (human origins). Both dimensions require an appreciation of the neo-Darwinian theory of evolution, which includes both the process of natural selection and also the roles which genetics and developmental biology play in adaptation and evolution. They appreciate the urgency of primate and rainforest conservation.

Admissions for Anthropology - M.A.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • GRE scores
  • Goal statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 50 PTE score
    • Minimum 100 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester

  • Priority deadline: February 1
    Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Coursework

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Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
ANTH 68230PROBLEMS IN CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (min B grade)3
ANTH 68430PROBLEMS IN WORLD PREHISTORY (min B grade)3
ANTH 68630PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY (min B grade)3
Additional Requirements 121
Culminating Experience
ANTH 68199THESIS I 26
Minimum Total Credit Hours:36
1

Students are encouraged to select at least one course in either linguistics or statistics in consultation with their advisors. Students may be permitted to present a maximum 6 credit hours of coursework from outside of anthropology. The 6 credit hours, however, are expected to relate to the course of study being pursued (all cases will be considered on an individual basis, and outside courses must be selected in consultation with the advisor and the coordinator of graduate studies). Students wishing to take statistics or linguistics courses from outside of anthropology may be permitted to do so without those credit hours counting against their allotted 6 credit hours, in the event that the courses are not available within the department when they are needed.

2

By the end of the first semester of graduate work, students should select two members of the graduate anthropology faculty, in addition to their principal advisor, to constitute a thesis committee. This committee must approve the thesis before it is submitted to the College of Arts and Sciences. Students should arrange for the appointment of this committee with the graduate coordinator for anthropology. A completed written thesis must be unanimously approved as a work of professional caliber as to content and form by a thesis committee of three graduate faculty. This thesis will be defended orally by the student. The defense is not to be considered a mere formality. The committee may range beyond the actual content of the thesis to questions about concepts, methods, theories upon which the thesis is based and about the content of relevant studies included in the bibliography of the thesis. In cases in which the faculty believe that a student’s career would be better served by additional coursework rather than a thesis, 6 credit hours of additional coursework may be substituted for the thesis. The additional courses should compose an intensive investigation within the student’s specialty. Permission for using the non-thesis option must be arranged through the graduate coordinator. In the very rare cases where a student is granted permission to use the non-thesis option, special written comprehensive examinations will be required.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Formal final examinations are administered in ANTH 68230, ANTH 68430 and ANTH 68630. Students who do not pass these examinations (earning "Unsatisfactory") may be dismissed from the program. Students who do not earn a minimum B grade in these courses will be required to pass an appropriate additional examination. Students who earn less than a C grade in any of the courses cannot subsequently qualify for an M.A. degree in Anthropology.

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Anthropology - M.A.

Anthropologists and archeologists

5.2%

faster than the average

8,000

number of jobs

$66,130

potential earnings

Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary

4.4%

about as fast as the average

7,200

number of jobs

$89,220

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Medical Anthropology - Minor

Explore the intersection of anthropology and medicine with Kent State's Medical Anthropology minor. Gain insight into how culture, health and healing are intertwined and prepare for a career in healthcare or social services.

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Program Information for Medical Anthropology - Minor

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Medical Anthropology minor is attractive to any student in nursing, pre-med, public health, psychology and related disciplines. It is designed to give students the skills needed to provide culturally sensitive and effective health care.

Medical Anthropology is the fastest growing sub-discipline of anthropology with a variety of applications. It is a broad field that includes medical and psychiatric anthropology, global health, disability, social suffering, humanitarianism, death and dying, caregiving, public health, medical ethics, human rights and medical humanities.

Admissions for Medical Anthropology - Minor

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The Medical Anthropology minor is not accepting students at this time.

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

Coursework

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Program Requirements

Minor Requirements

Minor Requirements
ANTH 18210INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY (DIVG) (KSS) 3
ANTH 18630HUMAN EVOLUTION (KBS) 3
ANTH 48250MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY (DIVG) 3
Anthropology Elective, choose from the following:3
ANTH 48150
RELIGION: A SEARCH FOR A MEANING
ANTH 48245
PSYCHOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY (DIVG)
ANTH 48360
ANTHROPOLOGY OF GENDER AND SEXUALITY (DIVG)
ANTH 48623
HUMAN VARIATION
ANTH 48820
HUMAN MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEM
Minor Electives, choose from the following6
GEOG 42052
HEALTH GEOGRAPHY
GEOG 49072
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SCIENCE AND HEALTH
HIST 31550
MEDICINE IN THE MODERN WORLD SINCE 1500
PH 10002
INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL HEALTH (DIVG)
PH 20001
ESSENTIALS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
PH 22001
PLAGUES AND PANDEMICS: HOW INFECTION SHAPED CULTURE AND HISTORY
PSYC 31532
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
PSYC 41364
DRUGS AND BEHAVIOR
SOC 22570
UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENCES AND INEQUALITY
SOC 32570
INEQUALITY IN SOCIETIES (DIVD)
SOC 42010
DEATH AND DYING
SOC 42400
SELF AND IDENTITY
SOC 42562
SOCIOLOGY OF MENTAL ILLNESS
SOC 42563
SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE
Minimum Total Credit Hours:18

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Minor GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
  • Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).
Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

The Medical Anthropology minor is not accepting students at this time.

Forensic Anthropology - Minor

The Forensic Anthropology minor introduces students to analyses of skeletal remains, bodily fluids and DNA profiles associated with missing persons cases and violent crimes. Courses focus on the science of forensic anthropology and the presentation of such data in the courtroom.

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Program Information for Forensic Anthropology - Minor

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:
 
  1. Gain an understanding of basic forensic anthropological techniques and biological processes relevant to death investigations, including a working knowledge of bone biology and body decomposition. 
  2. Learn the workflow of forensic DNA laboratories, beginning with evidence examination, continuing through the benchwork steps of DNA analysis and ending with statistical evaluation. 
  3. Become familiar with courtroom procedures, specifically those relevant to criminal cases that include biological evidence, and deliver related testimony as they develop an understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of an expert witness.

Admissions for Forensic Anthropology - Minor

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Minor Requirements

Minor Requirements
ANTH 18230INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY 3
ANTH 28300INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC GENETICS 3
CRIM 12000INTRODUCTION TO JUSTICE STUDIES 3
Anthropology Electives, choose from the following:6
ANTH 38789
FACES: HUMAN HEAD ANATOMY WITH A FORENSIC ART FOCUS (DIVG) (ELR)
ANTH 48092
FORENSIC ARCHAEOLOGY FIELD SCHOOL (ELR)
ANTH 48225
ARCHAEOLOGY OF DEATH (ELR) (WIC)
ANTH 48300
ADVANCED FORENSIC GENETICS
ANTH 48550
FORENSIC SCIENCE IN THE COURTROOM
ANTH 48820
HUMAN MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEM
Criminology and Justice Studies Elective, choose from the following:3
CRIM 22301
THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS
CRIM 33200
CRIMINAL LAW
CRIM 34200
CRIMINAL PROCEDURES AND EVIDENCE
CRIM 46200
CURRENT CONTROVERSIAL LEGAL ISSUES
CRIM 47211
COURT FUNCTIONS
Minimum Total Credit Hours:18

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Minor GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
  • Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).
Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

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