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Master's Program in AnthropologyThe master's program is designed to be completed in two years. The degree is awarded upon successful completion of required coursework and a passing grade on the master's examination. A thesis is not required, but independent research is strongly encouraged, especially for students who intend to pursue the doctorate. There are both general University requirements and department-specific requirements. These are described separately below. University RequirementsThe Graduate School has requirements concerning hours of coursework, GPA, continuous registration, and language proficiency. These requirements include the following: (a) minimum of 30 credit hours in graduate courses (5000 or above), (b) 3.0 or higher GPA, and (c) continuous registration (3 credit hours minimum) fall and spring until graduation. Please consult the Graduate Handbook for a complete description of these requirements. There is a University (not departmental) language requirement for the MA (not MS) degree. The student's committee must approve the choice of language, and standard proficiency must be certified by the Department of Languages and Literature. There is no language requirement for the MS degree. Further information is available here .
Departmental RequirementsCourseworkAll graduate students are required to take Anthropology 6611 (Preparation of grant proposals) and a course in the history of ideas in anthropology. Students entering in fall 2007 or later will satisfy the latter requirement by taking Proseminar in Anthropology 1-4 (1 credit hour each). Students who entered earlier may satisfy the requirement either by taking this course or by taking Anthropology 6161, Anthropological Theory 1. All graduate students are also expected to have basic proficiency in statistics. Most A graduate students (particularly those in Biological Anthropology, Evolutionary Ecology, and Archaeology) will be expected to gain additional statistical expertise, as determined by the student's supervisory committee. Additional courses are required, but vary by program. Click on the program name below to find the course requirements for that program:
Archaeology Masters Qualifying ExaminationAll students are required to take a qualifying examination by the end of their fourth FTE semester in this department. The exam consists of a written component (6-8 essays written in 2 four-hour sessions) followed within 10 business days by an oral examination. It is generally expected that all required courses will be completed prior to the examination. The exam will be offered twice a year (late Spring semester and late Fall semester).Written examThe 6 to 8 essay questions will be selected by the student's supervisory committee from the posted list established for the student's particular program. Click here for general guidance about preparing for the exam and click on the program name below to find the list of questions for that program:
Archaeology Oral examThe oral exam is conducted by the supervisory committee. The committee will usually ask the student to elaborate on areas within the written exam that they feel deserve further attention, but other topics may be raised as well.EvaluationThe student's supervisory committee will evaluate the exam, and will discuss the result with the student immediately following the oral exam. Examinations will be assigned one of three grades: (1) high pass, (2) low pass, or (3) fail. Students earning a high pass will be awarded the MA/MS degree and be encouraged to proceed to the Ph. D. program. A low pass will satisfy the requirement for the MA/MS but the student will not be permitted to continue into the Ph. D. program. No degree will be awarded for a failing grade. Students receiving low pass and failing grades may retake the exam once only, the next time it is offered. No thesis is required for the MA/MS degree. However, students interested in an academic career are encouraged to begin research likely to result in a publishable paper. |