Sul Ross State University’s Center for Big Bend Studies (CBBS) is poised to embark on a new academic venture with the introduction of its Master of Arts in Anthropology program, scheduled to commence this fall.
The program, a culmination of months of development, is set to redefine student engagement and research opportunities within CBBS and the university at large.
Dr. Bernie Canteñs, Sul Ross’s executive vice president and provost, expressed enthusiasm about the program’s potential impact. “We are excited to offer this new opportunity to our students,” he said. “The creation of an anthropology graduate program complements the current focus on conservation and habitat management at Sul Ross, producing students who are better informed to meet the diverse challenges of implementing effective natural and cultural resource programs.”
The M.A. program features a 36-credit, thesis-based degree plan, with a curriculum comprising 24 credits of anthropology core courses and 12 elective credits, six of which must be in anthropology.
CBBS Director Bryon Schroeder outlined the program’s structure, stating, “We project admitting six students each fall semester to maintain small cohort sizes and low student-to-professor ratios. We want to provide the best possible graduate school experience for our students.”
Courses within the program will emphasize hands-on training, leveraging the university’s proximity to vast undeveloped lands across the dynamic environments of the Big Bend region, rich in cultural resources.
Schroeder highlighted the collaborative nature of student anthropological work, set to produce world-class archaeological research in conjunction with CBBS.
“Our students will leave the program with the skills and expertise they need to be competitive and flexible in a diverse job market,” Schroeder emphasized.
Sul Ross University offers one of the most affordable graduate degrees in Texas, and CBBS is actively seeking funding to provide additional student support and graduate assistantships.
Pending accreditation from the Texas Board of Higher Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, interested students are encouraged to email anthropology@sulross.edu or reach out to specific faculty members for inquiries regarding the program and graduate student research opportunities.
Applicants must meet the standard SRSU requirements for graduate admissions, along with submitting three letters of recommendation, a curriculum vitae or resume, and a one-page statement of intent.
To learn more about the Center for Big Bend Studies and its new Anthropology Graduate Program, visit https://cbbs.sulross.edu or email cbbs@sulross.edu.
