Master of Arts in Anthropology
The MA degree emphasizes research and requires completing a thesis. The coursework for this program provides a thorough exposure to modern theory and methods in anthropology and entails rigorous training in behavioral and evolutionary ecology, anthropological history, quantitative methods, and research design.
Master of Applied Anthropology
The MAA program at Boise State has two concentrations and one a no-concentration option. The program typically involves three semesters of academic coursework, plus a professional project with government or private sector stakeholders. One concentration is in Cultural Resource Management, a multidisciplinary field dedicated to the identification, evaluation, and protection of cultural heritage assets. The second concentration is in User Research and Ethnographic Practice which involves observations of users in their natural environments to deeply understand their behaviors, pain points, and motivations to inform development of services and products. The MAA program is a professional science master’s degree. The program combines structured study in anthropological theory and method, skill-based course work depending on student focus, and a culminating project demonstrating mastery in research methods and communication.
Graduate Certificate in User Research
The Graduate Certificate in User Research provides students with in-depth knowledge and practical mastery of qualitative research methods rooted in ethnography, with an emphasis on how user research can be applied to improving products and services. The certificate is offered in three fully online courses.