MA in Anthropology in Detroit United States | Wayne State University

Anthropology is a social science that compares human societies to identify universal patterns in behavior. It encompasses four main disciplines: cultural, biological, archaeological, and linguistic anthropology. The department specializes in diverse areas including applied anthropology, medical anthropology, historical archaeology, museum studies, cultural resource management/public archaeology, business/organizational anthropology, language and cognition, urban anthropology, paleo-diet studies, food culture research, environmental anthropology, land-use analysis, global health initiatives, and social entrepreneurship.

Graduate students can pursue five distinct degree paths: Master of Arts (MA), Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology (Ph.D), or joint PhD programs combining Anthropology with Social Work (SWAN), Urban Sustainability (T-RUST), or Medicine (MD-PhD).

Wayne State's Anthropology graduates find employment across numerous sectors. While some enter academic or museum careers, others work in healthcare, government, international organizations, social services, corporate environments, public policy, research and development, design firms, and cultural institutions requiring expertise in environmental management, historic preservation, archaeology, cultural heritage, or museum operations. An Anthropology master's degree also provides strong preparation for professional programs in medicine or law. The graduate curriculum is intentionally flexible to support students' individual academic and career goals.