Applicants must possess an Honours BA (4 years) degree or its equivalent with at least a 'B+ average in the final two undergraduate years. Students who do not meet departmental requirements, e.g., students whose undergraduate degree does not include basic courses in sociology and/or anthropology, may be admitted provisionally.

Students must either complete a minimum of 2.0 credits and write a thesis or complete a minimum of 4.0 credits (including 1.0 credit in the Major Paper course) and write a major paper. All students are required to attend a Public Issues Anthropology seminar (ANTH*6000) in their first semester. They must also master basic theory and methodological skills. This is normally fulfilled through the successful completion of the courses ANTH*6080 and ANTH*6140. Students typically begin their studies in the Fall semester. You will be assigned an interim advisor who is a likely candidate to be your advisor, given your stated area of interest. When you arrive, the graduate coordinator will inform you as to which faculty members, on the basis of their areas of specialization, are likely candidates for membership on your advisory committee. Until you have formed your advisory committee, your interim advisor will fill out your evaluation reports. It is strongly recommended, that you choose your permanent advisor and committee by the end of February in your second semester.