Graduate Certificate in Ethnography (Anthropology)

The Certificate in Ethnography is ideal for M.A. and Ph.D. students in a range of fields, including anthropology, sociology, community psychology, education, nursing, linguistics, communication, business and area studies. For students who plan to pursue careers in academia, private business or the public sector, the certificate offers applied and marketable skills in culture- and people-focused knowledge production and communication.Ethnography is a field-based research method for the study of social and cultural patterns and practices. Ethnographers use participant-observation, direct observation and interaction, focus group interviews, and other qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques to uncover detailed patterns of human behavior in their cultural context.Ethnographic data analysis is especially productive in clarifying complex issues, informing policy and designing innovative, effective, data-driven solutions to organizational problems. This signature methodology of cultural anthropology has broad application in a variety of academic disciplines, creative industries, professional fields and employment settings.

Students must apply to the certificate program during either fall or spring semester. In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Anthropology has the following requirements for application for the Graduate Certificate in Ethnography program:Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s potential to do graduate work in anthropologyCurriculum vitae or resumeWriting sampleNon-native speakers of English are required to demonstrate English proficiency