MA in Museum Anthropology in New York United States | Columbia University

The Master of Arts in Museum Anthropology, provided by Columbia University's Department of Anthropology in partnership with the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), serves as a professional qualification for individuals currently working in or aspiring to enter the museum profession. Participants gain hands-on experience in museum operations while cultivating the theoretical foundation needed to communicate concepts through material culture and visual exhibitions. This program equips graduates to present ethnographic and archaeological collections to public audiences, manage collections or registration departments, and join research teams at institutions of varying sizes, from community museums to major cultural organizations. AMNH curators hold adjunct faculty positions in Columbia's Anthropology Department, offering specialized seminars, lectures, and student mentorship. Conversely, Columbia scholars enjoy privileged access to the museum's research resources, including its libraries, archival materials, laboratories, and extensive photographic and artifact holdings. Fieldwork collaborations with museum curators further enhance graduate learning experiences. This unique partnership significantly enriches Columbia's anthropological community across all subfields, fostering dynamic intellectual exchange among students and faculty whose diverse research encompasses multiple continents and various methodological frameworks.