The Master of Liberal Arts, Anthropology degree field is offered online with 1 course required on-campus here at Harvard University. Weekend options are available for the on-campus. The primarily synchronous online format ensures real-time engagement with faculty and peers.
Getting Started
Registration for January and Spring 2024 opens on November 6.
Explore Degree Requirements
- Review the required course curriculum.
- Determine your initial admissions eligibility.
- Learn about the 3 degree courses required for admission.
Required Courses
12 Graduate Courses (48 credits)
Many of our anthropology offerings focus on identity and social justice, making it an ideal option for professionals in the fields of education, community development, public service, public health, NGOs, as well as management and diversity, inclusion and belonging.
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
- 4 anthropology courses
- 1 anthropology seminar
- 1 Engaging in Scholarly Conversation (on-campus)
- This 4-credit requirement is fulfilled by completing 2 two-credit Active Learning Weekends or 1 three-week summer course.
- 2 anthropology electives
- EXPO 42b Writing in the Social Sciences 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
- 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
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
Nearly all courses can be taken online, but the degree requires an in-person experience here at Harvard University where you enroll in Engaging in Scholarly Conversation (ESC).
Join your fellow degree candidates for this interactive course that highlights the importance of true graduate-level analysis by training you in the skills of critically engaging the scholarly literature in your field of study.
- Accelerated on-campus option: ESC is offered in two, 2-credit Active Learning Weekends. We strongly advise you complete the two weekends in the same academic year with same instructor (part one in fall and part two in spring).
- Standard on-campus option: ESC is offered in one 3-week Harvard Summer School session. This option is ideal for those who want a more traditional on-campus experience. HSS offers housing, meal plans, and a prolonged on-campus experience here at Harvard University. Learn more about campus life at Harvard.
ESC must be completed after admission and prior to either the Crafting the Thesis Proposal tutorial or the precapstone to support your final research project.
You have two attempts to earn the required grade of B- or higher. A withdrawal grade (WD) counts as an attempt.
International Students Who Need a Student Visa
To meet the on-campus requirement, you choose the Standard on-campus option and 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-week sessions. For more details, see International Student Study Options for important visa information.
In-Person Co-Curricular Events
Come to Cambridge for Convocation (fall) to celebrate your hard-earned admission, Harvard career fairs offered throughout the year, HES alumni networking events (here at Harvard and around the world), and, of course, Harvard University Commencement (May).
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 or a related field. Check your eligibility.
Earning Your Way In: Courses for Admission
The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program. To begin, you simply register—no application needed—for the following 3, 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 2 attempts to earn the minimum grade of B in the proseminar (a withdrawal grade counts as an attempt). The proseminar cannot be more than 2 years old at the time of application.
- 1 anthropology course
- 1 anthropology course or elective (e.g., EXPO 42b)
All 3, four-credit courses, including EXPO 42b, are investments in your studies and help ensure success in the program. They count toward your degree once you’re admitted; they are not additional courses.
Course sequencing and grading. While the 3 courses don’t need to be taken in a particular order or in the same semester, we 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 to support accelerated degree completion.
- You can study in fall, January, and spring terms through Harvard Extension School (HES) and during the summer through Harvard Summer School (HSS).
- You can choose to enroll either full or part-time with many degree candidates, after qualifying for admission, choosing 2 courses per semester (fall/spring) and 1 in the January term as well as summer.
- Most fall and spring courses meet once a week for two hours, while January and summer courses meet more frequently in a condensed format.
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 3 degree courses required for admission and apply before completing subsequent courses. By doing so, you’ll:
- avoid the loss of credit due to expired course work or changes to admission and degree requirements.
- ensure critical and timely enrollment in degree-candidate-only courses.
- pay the standard versus delayed application fee.
- 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.
The Office of Predegree Advising & Admissions makes all final determinations about program eligibility. For more details about full eligibility and the application process, 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. Please note that a WD grade from a two-credit course will count as 1 of your 2 allowed WD grades. 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: Apply on Time and 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 3 degree applicable courses, regardless of whether or not you have been admitted to a degree program.
Additionally, admission eligibility will be jeopardized if, at the point of application to the program, the five-year degree completion policy cannot be satisfied (i.e., too many courses to complete in the time remaining).
Potential degree candidates must submit timely applications or they risk losing degree credit for completed course work.
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. 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.
