Program Directors
Dr. Scott Williams
Program Logistics
Graduate Student Handbook:
The current graduate student handbook details aspects of both the PhD and MS program requirements
Course Requirements:
Satisfactory completion of 36 points and a written master’s thesis are required. Students must earn a grade of at least B in all core and foundation courses. See the MS handbook for additional information.
M.S. Committee, Advisor, and Thesis Requirement:
Each student is assigned an M.S. committee in their first year according to the interests expressed in their application. The M.S. committee consists of three faculty members, at least two of whom are from the Anthropology department. The committee advises students on courses, internships, and choice of M.S. project. To reconstitute your committee speak with your advisor and/or the program director and prepare a written request.
Your M.S. thesis advisor and first reader must be members of the Anthropology Department. Normally, M.S. advisors are identified in the first year, or no later than the completion of 20 points of coursework, by mutual agreement of both student and faculty member in question. Student and advisor choose an additional faculty member, usually a member of the student’s Master’s committee, as a reader. All must sign and file the M.S. Paper committee form. With approval, a third reader may be added from another department at NYU or from the affiliated faculty of the M.S. track in human skeletal biology.
The M.S. thesis project consists of original research carried out under the guidance of the major advisor. See departmental guidelines for thesis format and filing deadlines.
Internships:
A minimum of one, semester-long (4 points), laboratory internship is required of all students. Internships will be developed on an individual basis according to student interest and mentor availability.
Time to Completion:
The program is expected to take two years to complete, but can be somewhat longer for those working full-time. A student who has completed all coursework, but not the thesis, must stay enrolled via a matriculation fee each semester until graduation. A maximum of five years from the date of first registration is allowed for completing the degree.