Students choose from one of four concentrations/tracks (also referred to as “sections”) in the department. Students in the Cultural concentration will earn a Master of Arts. Students in the Archaeology, Biological, or Intersectional concentrations will work with their advisor and a department committee to determine if the coursework they take meets the requirements for a Master of Arts or a Master of Science. Table of basic requirements by section (click on subdiscipline name at top of column for more information):
| STEPS/SECTION | ARCHAEOLOGY | BIOLOGICAL | CULTURAL | INTERSECTIONAL |
| MINIMUM RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT | 16 credits | Same | Same | Same |
| CREDITS: | Minimum 30 credits of graduate course work, including three 900-level seminars in archaeology | Minimum 30 credits of graduate course work | Minimum 30 credits of graduate course work, including two required courses in cultural (860 and 900) and one additional 900-level seminar (not to include 909 if continuing in Ph.D. program) | Minimum 30 credits of graduate course work |
| QUALIFYING EXAM: INCOMING B.A. STUDENTS AND MASTER’S STUDENTS: | By end of 2nd year or 4th semester for both incoming B.A. or M.A. (but M.A. students are encouraged to take after 2 semesters) | After the end of the 2nd year for incoming B.A. students, after the end of the 2nd semester for incoming M.A. students | In January of the 2nd year | As defined by committee |
| FORMAT OF QUALIFYING EXAM: | Two parts, written, four hours each day. 1: World Prehistory 2: Archaeological Method and Theory. Both parts will include a question related to student’s research | Two parts, written, two days. 1: General principles and theory 2: Testing in student’s chosen field of specialization | A collection of two papers from previous courses. One of the papers should come from 860 or 900. The second paper should come from any course in Anthropology, cross-listed with Anthropology, or approved by the Cultural Section(other than 909 or and independent study) taken during the first three semesters of coursework that counts for graduate credit. The papers should be accompanied by a cover letter of no more than 300 words (modeled on those accompanying article resubmissions) detailing these revisions. | As defined by committee |
| M.A./M.S. REQUIREMENTS: | Successful Qualifying Exam pass at M.A. or Ph.D. level; one research paper from graduate seminars; a separate, comprehensive bibliography submitted one month prior to Qualifying Exam. No M.A. thesis requirement | Successful Qualifying Exam pass at M.A. or Ph.D. level and two term papers from graduate seminars submitted at the time of Qualifying Exam. No M.A. thesis requirement. | Successful Qualifying Exam pass at M.A. or Ph.D. level. No M.A. thesis requirement | Successful Qualifying Exam pass at M.A. or Ph.D. Level and other requirements as defined by committee. No M.A. Thesis requirement |