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The Department of Anthropology

The Master of Arts Degree in Anthropology
with Forensic Anthropology Option

What is the Forensic Anthropology Option?

The forensic anthropology option is a way to satisfy the requirements for the Master of Arts (MA) degree in anthropology while concentrating on classes of relevance to forensic anthropology. There are two ways to do this:

  • Students can develop and demonstrate research skill by pursuing the thesis track. This will help prepare them to pursue a research oriented career or to continue their graduate education toward a doctorate at The University of Montana or another institution.
  • Alternatively, students can develop and demonstrate competency in forensic anthropology by pursuing the professional paper track, which will help them to prepare for a career as a forensic anthropologist, forensic scientist, osteoarchaeologist, bioarchaeologist, or other field that emphasizes the practical application of skills in skeletal analysis.

The University of Montana -- Missoula does not maintain a research collection of human skeletal remains so most students choose the professional paper track and write a type of professional paper called a Comprehensive Case Report.

What Does the Forensic Anthropology Option Require?

Students who complete one of the plans described below will earn the M.A. Degree in Anthropology with the Forensic Anthropology Option. View a detailed PDF checklist for this option that can be downloaded and printed.

  • Thesis/Professional Paper Plan (30 credits total)
    • The background courses listed below, which ideally will have been taken previously as an undergraduate.
    • Anthropology 500 and 512.
    • One of the following seminars: ANTH 510, 511, or 513.
    • One additional anthropology graduate seminar, numbered 500-589, 595, or 600-694. (ANTH 512 may be taken twice).
    • A total of 1 to 10 credits in ANTH 599 (Thesis) or 593 (Professional Project), consistent with Graduate School requirements (6 credits recommended).
    • A defended Thesis or Professional Paper/Project. A thesis is a document that presents the results of research in which data was gathered or analyzed in order to test a hypothesis. A professional paper consists of a project, report, exhibit, or similar scholarly contribution of the sort produced by professionals in the field; or a scholarly work published in a refereed journal or other reviewed forum. Many students choose to complete a comprehensive case report type of professional paper.
  • Non-Thesis Plan (36 credits total)
    • The background courses listed below, which ideally will have been taken previously as an undergraduate.
    • Anthropology 500 and 512.
    • One of the following seminars: ANTH 510, 511, or 513.
    • Two additional anthropology graduate seminars, numbered 500-589, 595, or 600-694. (ANTH 512 may be taken twice).
    • A total 1 to 10 credits in ANTH 597 (Research), consistent with Graduate School requirements (6 credits recommended).
    • A comprehensive evaluation (a defense if the scholarly work or portfolio will satisfy this requirement, otherwise it may be administered as an examination).
    • A reviewed scholarly work or portfolio (collection of shorter scholarly works). Many students present a portfolio of cases reports prepared in the concise style preferred by law enforcement agencies.
  • Background courses required for all students completing the forensic anthropology option. One course in each of the following areas, or their equivalent from another institution:
    • Human variation (such as ANTH 310, 417, 418, or 510)
    • Forensic anthropology (such as ANTH 314)
    • Osteology (such as ANTH 412)
    • Archaeological field experience (such as ANTH 413, 466, an archaeologically oriented 487, or a volunteer or paid archaeological field experience)
    • Archaeology theory (such as ANTH 450, 456, 458, 550, or 551)
    • General forensic science (such as ANTH 286 or 488)
    • Statistics (such as ANTH 401)

Ideally, these courses will have been taken as an undergraduate, but if not must be taken before an M.A. degree with this option is awarded.