Master's in Anthropology

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) has a rich history of academic excellence and has become a prominent center for research, particularly in fields like Arctic studies, engineering, natural sciences, and environmental research. The University of Alaska Fairbanks prides itself on its commitment to academic rigor and research excellence, offering a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs that cater to the needs of a rapidly changing world. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and hands-on learning, UAF equips its students with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle the complex challenges of today's society and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world at large.

The anthropology program offers a balanced and flexible program of academic courses and research opportunities in cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, archaeology and biological anthropology. Anthropology contributes to an understanding of the complex problems of human behavior, biology, language, cultural and social organization, and the relationship of humans to their environments. Research carried out in the field, laboratory and library emphasizes past and present modes of living and the origins and distribution of peoples and cultures throughout the world, with special attention to the circumpolar North. The graduate program emphasizes general preparation in the field of anthropology. Such preparation enables graduates of the master’s program to pursue more advanced training leading to a Ph.D. in anthropology, prepares them to teach anthropology within secondary education and undergraduate levels of higher education, and prepares students for careers with various levels of government in which some anthropological background or expertise is beneficial. Field research in Alaska is a common experience for graduate students in anthropology. All students must have fieldwork and laboratory experience appropriate to the discipline or subdiscipline.