Anthropology (Public Issues) - Master of Arts (MA)

PAS Building

Psychology, Anthropology and Sociology (PAS) Building on Waterloo's South Campus, across from Laurel Creek.

Learn how to use anthropological issues and findings to understand and address important issues in public discourse with the Master of Arts in Anthropology (Public Issues) program.  

The program represents a unique approach to graduate studies where the public issues focus helps you advocate for the relevance of anthropological findings on critical contemporary issues.  

Designed to be completed in four academic terms, you can choose to focus on traditional research topics or take an interdisciplinary approach and explore topics that span multiple sub-disciplines or explore innovative or non-traditional anthropological research topics and methodologies. You’ll conduct research, take courses, and collaborate with top scholars while gaining valuable analytical and communication skills.   

You’ll graduate as a well-rounded expert who is prepared for careers both inside and outside of academia, like a community development office, a public policy analyst or a cultural resource manager.  

Program overview

Department/School: Department of Anthropology 
Faculty: Faculty of Arts
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December)
Delivery mode: On-campus
Program type: Master's, Research
Length of program: 16 months
Registration option(s): Full-time
Study option(s):Thesis

Application deadlines

  • February 1 (for admission in September)

Key contacts

Miljana Kovacevic, Graduate Coordinator
miljana.kovacevic@uwaterloo.ca
519-888-4567, ext. 42403

Admission limitations

Due to funding restrictions, the Faculty of Arts is currently limiting the number of international students we can admit. Please contact the department's Associate Chair, Graduate Studies prior to applying to discuss your interest in this program.

Supervisors

Admission requirements

  • An Honours Bachelor's degree with at least a 75% overall standing with 78% in the major. The expectation is that the undergraduate degree will be in Anthropology, but students with at least 5 courses in Anthropology may be admitted as long as these were part of a major in another social science or humanities program. The program will also accept students with a background in the natural sciences, as long as the 5 Anthropology courses they have taken include content in both ethnography and anthropological theory.
  • Students must demonstrate to the Advisory Committee competence in theory and methods adequate for study at the graduate level, e.g., through completing undergraduate courses which include these topics

Degree requirements

  • Review the degree requirements in the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, including the courses that you can anticipate taking as part of completing the degree

Application materials

  • Supplementary information form (SIF)
    • The SIF contains questions specific to your program, typically about why you want to enrol and your experience in that field. Review the application documents web page for more information about this requirement
    • If a statement or letter is required by your program, review the writing your personal statement resources for helpful tips and tricks on completion

  • Transcript(s)

  • References
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable
    •  TOEFL 100 (writing 26, speaking 26), IELTS 7.5 (writing 7.0, speaking 7.0)

Tuition and fees