Mar 28, 2024  
University Catalog 2016-2017 
    
University Catalog 2016-2017 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Anthropology, M.A.


Master of Arts Degree

The objective of the M.A. degree in Anthropology is to prepare students for professional level employment in industry and government, teaching positions in community colleges, or advanced study towards the PhD. degree. The program has  three options: Archaeology, Sociocultural Anthropology, and Biological Anthropology. The Archaeology option prepares students for careers in archaeology or cultural resource management. The Biological Anthropology option prepares students for careers in forensic anthropology or other aspects of law enforcement, bioarchaeology, or primatology. The Sociocultural option prepares students for careers in cultural anthropology or ethnography.

Admission to the Program

With the exception of the Biological Anthropology option, applicants must have a baccalaureate in anthropology and a 2.75 grade point average in the last 60 semester units attempted and a B (3.0) grade point average in anthropology courses. The Biological Anthropology option requires a 3.0 grade point average in the last 60 units attempted. Those whose undergraduate major was not anthropology must complete 15-18 units in anthropology, including ANTH 4970, with a B average. Students’ actual number of units required is determined by advisement during their first semester of postbaccalaureate study. Students are accepted into the Anthropology program for the fall semester only. Students must notify the department of their intent to seek admission to the Archaeology, Biological, or Sociocultural option at the time of their application.
 
Students must apply to both the University and to the Department of Anthropology.  In addition to submitting a University Admissions Application through CSU Mentor (http://csumentor.org), applicants must also apply separately to the Department.  Application forms are available at the Department of Anthropology.  Completed applications, statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation, and unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be received by the Department by the deadline stipulated on the Graduate Studies Office website (http://www.calstatela.edu/graduateadmissions).   Official transcripts must also be sent to the Graduate Studies Office ADM 702 before the set deadline.    The top ranked applicants to the biological anthropology option may be given a telephone or personal interview.

Requirements for the Degree (33-36 units)


A total of 33-36 units is required, with at least 19 units in 5000-level courses, as specified by each option. All students must have a reading or speaking knowledge of a relevant research language or demonstrate proficiency in linguistic analysis, statistics, or a faculty-approved skill set. A faculty approved skill set consists of at least two courses chosen from 4000- or 5000-level courses within the university that satisfy technical, analytical, and experiential requirements specific to each student’s focus within the discipline. These courses will be chosen by the student and his or her faculty advisor in consultation with the department curriculum committee. Students must satisfy this requirement in order to be advanced to candidacy and attempt the comprehensive examination or submit a thesis proposal. Students must complete either the comprehensive examination or a thesis prior to graduation, as required under the individual options presented below. Students also must fulfill all university requirements including the graduation writing assessment requirement (GWAR). Students must pass all required seminars with a B (3.0) or better.

Archaeology Option (33 units)


A total of 33 units are required, with at least 18 in 5000-level courses.

Electives (15-18 units)


Select from 4000- and 5000-level Anthropology courses. Students are required to take a minimum of 15 units of electives if they choose the thesis option or 18 units of electives if they are approved for the comprehensive exam option. A maximum of 6 units in a related field may be substituted with prior advisor consent.  ANTH 4240, ANTH 4850, and ANTH 5240 may be repeated once for credit.

Comprehensive examination or Thesis (0, 3 units)


Students in the Archaeology option are expected to write a thesis. Students may not take thesis units (ANTH 5990) prior to advancement to candidacy and must comply with college and department requirements. Students in the Archaeology option will be eligible for the Comprehensive Exam option only with departmental approval.

Biological Anthropology Option (36 units)


A minimum of 36 units is required, with at least 19 in 5000-level courses.

Students in Forensic Anthropology must also take (9 units):


Students in Bioarchaeology must also take (9 units):


Students in Primatology must also take (9 units):


Electives (12-15 units)


Select from 4000- and 5000-level Anthropology courses with approval of advisor. Students are required to take a minimum of 12 units of electives if they choose the thesis option or 15 units of electives if they are approved for the comprehensive exam option. A maximum of 6 units in a related field may be substituted with prior advisor consent.

Comprehensive examination or Thesis (0, 3 units)


Students in the Biological Anthropology option are expected to write a thesis. Students may not take thesis units (ANTH 5990) prior to advancement to candidacy and must comply with college and department requirements. Students in the Biological Anthropology option will be eligible for the Comprehensive Exam option only with departmental approval.

Sociocultural Anthropology Option (34 units)


A minimum of 34 units is required, with at least 18 in 5000-level courses.

Electives (12-15 units)


Select from 4000- and 5000-level Anthropology courses with approval of advisor. Students are required to take a minimum of 12 units of electives if they choose the thesis option or 15 units of electives if they are approved for the comprehensive exam option. A maximum of 6 units in a related field may be substituted with prior advisor consent.

Comprehensive examination or Thesis (0, 3 units)


Students may not take thesis units (ANTH 5990) prior to advancement to candidacy and must comply with college and department requirements. Students in the Biological Anthropology option will be eligible for the Comprehensive Exam option only with departmental approval.