The Master of Liberal Arts, Anthropology and Archaeology degree field consists of 12 courses (48 credits), 3 of which are required on campus here at Harvard University.
Getting Started
- Explore the required course curriculum.
- Determine your initial admissions eligibility.
- Learn about the 3 degree courses required for admission.
- Search and register for courses.
Required Courses
12 Graduate Courses
You pursue either a thesis or capstone track. You can further customize the program by choosing the anthropology and elective courses that meet your learning goals.
- SSCI 100A Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Anthropology and Psychology
- 5 anthropology and archaeology courses
- 1 anthropology seminar or Harvard Summer School study abroad course (archeological dig experiences are ordinarily offered)
- 2 anthropology electives
- EXPO 42b is an elective option
Thesis Track: Additional Courses
The thesis is a 9-month independent research project where you work one-on-one in a tutorial setting with a thesis director.
- ANTH 497 Crafting the Thesis Proposal in Anthropology Tutorial
- ANTH 499AB ALM Thesis in Anthropology (8 credits)
Recent Thesis Topics
- Relationship Between Economic Growth and Attitudes Toward Minority Groups
- Japanese Sword Collecting in America
- Fetch to Final Boss: Classifying Quest Motifs and Tale-Types in Western Video Games
- The Dismantling of the Santa Ana Riverbed Homeless Encampment in 2018: A Case Study
- Central Transit Places: The Archaeology of Man-Made Navigable Waterways in Iron Age Scandinavia A.D. 400–800
Capstone Track: Additional Courses
First, in the precapstone, you gain foundational preparation in either identity or social justice through critically analyzing the scholarly literature. Then, in the capstone, you execute a semester-long research project with guidance and support from your instructor and fellow candidates.
- 1 additional anthropology elective
- Identity precapstone and capstone courses:
- SSCI 597B Identity Precapstone: Theory and Research
- SSCI 599B Identity Capstone: Bridging Research and Practice
- Social justice precapstone and capstone courses:
- GOVT 597A Precapstone: Strategies to Advance Social Change
- GOVT 599A Social Justice Capstone: Equity and the Struggle for Justice
Capstone sequencing. You enroll in the precapstone and capstone courses in the same topic, in back-to-back semesters (fall/spring), and in your final academic year. The capstone must be taken alone as your sole remaining degree requirement. Capstone topics are subject to change annually.
The Harvard On-Campus Experience (3 Courses)
Many courses can be taken online, but the degree requires a Harvard campus experience. You come to Cambridge for at least 3 courses (12 credits), offering you in-person access to faculty, campus resources, and the academic community.
On-campus requirements can typically be completed through:
- 15-week fall or spring semester courses that meet only on campus. Courses with the format “on campus or online” do not fulfill this requirement.
- Courses that combine weekly online classes over a semester with an intensive weekend on campus.
- Three-week January session courses that meet only on campus.
- Three- or seven-week summer courses that meet only on campus.
International Students Who Need a Student Visa
To meet the on-campus requirement, you study with us in the summer. You can easily request an I-20 for the F-1 student visa for Harvard Summer School’s 3- and 7-week courses. For more details, see International Student Study Options for important visa information.
Harvard Instructor Requirement
For either the thesis or capstone track, 8 courses (32 credits) of the above courses need to be taught by instructors with the Harvard-instructor designation. The thesis courses are taught by a Harvard instructor.
Admissions
Below are our initial eligibility requirements and an overview of our unique admissions process to help get you started. Be sure to visit Degree Program Admissions for full details.
Initial Eligibility
- Prior to enrolling in any degree-applicable courses, you must possess a four-year regionally accredited US bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent. Foreign bachelor’s degrees must be evaluated for equivalency.
- You cannot already have or be in the process of earning a master’s degree in anthropology, archaeology, or a related field. Check your eligibility.
The Office of Predegree Advising & Admissions makes all final determinations about program eligibility.
Earning Your Way In: Courses for Admission
To begin the admission process, you simply register—no application needed—for the following three, four-credit, graduate-level degree courses (available online):
- SSCI 100A Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies and Scholarly Writing in the Social Sciences—Anthropology and Psychology
- Before registering, you’ll need to pass our online test of critical reading and writing skills or earn a B or higher in EXPO 42b Writing in the Social Sciences.
- You have two attempts to earn the minimum grade of B in the proseminar (a withdrawal grade counts as an attempt). The proseminar cannot be more than two years old at the time of application.
- 1 anthropology and archaeology course
- 1 anthropology and archaeology course or elective (e.g., EXPO 42b)
The courses above, including EXPO 42B, count toward the degree once you’re admitted; they are not additional courses.
Course sequence. While the 3 courses don’t need to be taken in a particular order or in the same semester, we highly recommend that you start with the proseminar (or the prerequisite EXPO 42b). All 3 courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher, without letting your overall Harvard cumulative GPA dip below 3.0.
Search and Register for Courses
The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) offers degree courses all year round. You can study in fall, January, and spring terms through Harvard Extension School (HES) and during the summer through Harvard Summer School (HSS).
To find degree courses in the DCE Course Search and Registration platform:
- Under Search Classes, scroll to Browse by Degree, Certificate, or Premedical Program.
- Select Graduate Degrees.
- Choose Anthropology and Archaeology to explore program courses.
Applying to the Degree Program
During the semester of your third degree course, submit the official application to the program.
Don’t delay! You must prioritize the three degree courses for admission and apply before completing subsequent courses. By doing so, you’ll:
- avoid the delayed application fee or the loss of credit for expired course work.
- ensure critical and timely enrollment in degree-candidate-only courses.
- gain access to exclusive benefits (see bottom of page).
Eligible students who submit a complete and timely application will have 9 more courses after admission to earn the degree.
For more details about full eligibility, the application process, and the delayed application fee, visit Degree Program Admissions.
To Complete Your Degree
Required 3.0 GPA, 2 Withdrawal Grades, and Repeat Course Policy
GPA. You need to earn a B or higher in each of the 3 degree courses required for admission and a B– or higher in each of the subsequent courses. In addition, your cumulative GPA cannot dip below 3.0.
Withdrawal Grades. You are allowed to receive 2 withdrawal (WD) grades without them affecting your GPA. Any additional WD grades count as zero in your cumulative GPA. See Academic Standing.
Repeat Courses. We advise you to review the ALM program’s strict policies about repeating courses. Generally speaking, you may not repeat a course to improve your GPA or to fulfill a degree requirement (if the minimum grade was not initially achieved). Nor can you repeat a course for graduate credit that you’ve previously completed at Harvard Extension School or Harvard Summer School at the undergraduate level.
Courses Expire: Finish Your Coursework in Under 5 Years
Courses over 5 years old at the point of admission will not count toward the degree. As stated above, the proseminar cannot be more than 2 years old at the time of application.
Further, you have 5 years to complete your degree requirements. The 5-year timeline begins at the end of the term in which you complete any three degree applicable courses, regardless of whether or not you have been admitted to a degree program.
Potential degree candidates must plan accordingly and submit timely applications to comply with the 5-year course expiration policy or they risk losing degree credit for completed course work.
Additionally, admission eligibility will be jeopardized if, at the point of application to the program, the 5-year degree completion policy cannot be satisfied (i.e., too many courses to complete in the time remaining).
Graduate with Your Harvard Degree
When you have fulfilled all degree requirements, you will earn your Harvard University degree: Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Anthropology and Archeology. Degrees are awarded in November, March, and May, with the annual Harvard Commencement ceremony in May.
Degree Candidate Exclusive Benefits
When you become an officially admitted degree candidate, you have access to a rich variety of exclusive benefits to support your academic journey. To learn more, visit degree candidate academic opportunities and privileges.
