About Us

OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM

The MA program in anthropology at Southern Miss prepares students for either further graduate study or applying anthropological principles in a wide variety of work and research settings.

The program has faculty in prehistoric and historic archaeology, biological anthropology, primatology, and cultural anthropology. We place particular importance on collaborative work and public anthropology. Although faculty have done research in Latin America and other areas, we have a particular strength in the Southeastern United States. We take pride in the hands-on experience students receive and our ability to mentor students with diverse academic experiences and backgrounds.

The degree combines a broad exposure to three of the four subdisciplines of anthropology (cultural, archaeology, biological) with an in-depth grounding in a specific subfield. Both independently and under guidance of faculty, students earning an MA in anthropology develop their interests into either a traditional thesis or an applied project in which a product such as a website or educational program is created.

In addition to the Anthropology MA, we collaborate with other departments in three dual-degree programs. 

• Anthropology/History
• Anthropology/Library Information Sciences
• Anthropology/Public Health

RESOURCES

The program has four well-equipped research laboratories. All of these faculties provide opportunities for practicum and thesis projects.

• The historic and prehistoric archaeology laboratories house numerous collections from the state, including an extensive faunal comparative collection.
• The biological anthropology laboratory has one section that curates a large colonial Maya series available for bioarcheology research. Another section of the lab is devoted to hormonal and nutritional studies.
• The primatology laboratory is home to a colony of Garnett’s Bushbaby (Otolemur garnettii).

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SCHEDULE A VISIT, please contact:

            Dr. Marie Danforth

            Graduate Director

            601-266-5629

            m.danforth@usm.edu