Dalhousie University

Overview

The Master of Arts (MA) in Social Anthropology at Dalhousie University provides an in-depth exploration of how culture, power, and daily life are influenced by historical contexts, institutions, and social dynamics. This program is designed to cultivate advanced research and analytical skills through a combination of seminars and a supervised thesis, fostering a collaborative academic environment focused on contemporary ethnographic research and comparative analysis.

What you'll study

The MA in Social Anthropology follows a thesis-based structure, integrating graduate-level coursework with hands-on research experience. Students will engage in required seminars, academic training, and the development of a thesis proposal before embarking on the thesis writing and defense process.

• Core graduate seminars: Including a Master’s Seminar in Sociology and Social Anthropology.
• Research and methods coursework: Such as Contemporary Perspectives in Ethnography.
• Area Examination: An evaluation focused on your selected field of study.
• Thesis stream: Involving a Thesis Proposal followed by the MA Thesis (SOAN).

As part of the thesis requirement, students will conduct original research under the guidance of a faculty advisor and submit their thesis for evaluation. Please note that course titles and sequencing may vary; it is advisable to confirm the latest curriculum on the program's official website.

Entry requirements

To be considered for the MA in Social Anthropology, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum GPA: A GPA of 3.7 based on the last 60 credit hours of study.
• English language proficiency: Proof of proficiency through standardized tests, including a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 92, IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0, or PTE Academic score of 65.

Career prospects