Graduate Course Listings
INTRODUCTION
The MA degree in Anthropology, with emphasis in General or Applied Anthropology, is designed to provide a rigorous background in contemporary theory and practice in anthropology, particularly through the use of proseminars, internships, and independent research. The MA degree requires a research-based thesis. Within the MA program, the Applied Anthropology emphasis offers specialized tracks designed to train students in applied aspects of anthropology that may be employment related. Applied Cultural Anthropology identifies and assists in resolving current social issues in their cultural dimensions. Applied Biological Anthropology encompasses forensic anthropology and other practical applications of physical anthropology. Cultural Resource Management involves the inventory, assessment, and conservation of archaeological sites and remains as a part of a larger management framework.
MASTER OF ARTS, ANTHROPOLOGY
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
See page XX for graduate admission requirements. Deadline for application: March 15 for fall admission, November 15 for spring admission.
Students seeking admission into the Anthropology MA degree program must meet the following requirements (1-3) and must submit the following documents (4-8):
1. Although graduating college or university seniors are invited to apply, no student may be formally admitted to graduate study until the baccalaureate degree has been awarded from an accredited college or university.
2. It is strongly recommended that the student complete a minimum 18 hours of undergraduate coursework in anthropology, with an overall GPA of 3.0. An undergraduate major in anthropology is preferred.
3. Students must have at least a 2.5 overall undergraduate GPA.
4. Completed UAA graduate application form.
5. Official transcripts of college-level work from each institution attended.
6. Graduate Record Examination results (General Test scores).
7. Three letters of recommendation from professors or others particularly qualified to attest to the applicant's qualifications for graduate study.
8. A letter of intent, including a brief statement of applicant's research and career goals and reasons for pursuing graduate study in anthropology at UAA.
9. Examples of papers or research proposals indicative of the applicant's potential for graduate study [optional].
10. Applicants may be requested to complete a personal interview.
Acceptance is determined by the Anthropology Graduate Admissions Committee and is based on:
1. prospective student's overall credentials;
2. availability of appropriate faculty for student research interests.
Failure to meet any of the above criteria may result in conditional admission to the MA program. Conditional admission may be conferred on students if important deficiencies are identified in their undergraduate training. Such students are notified of those deficiencies, and required to complete them at UAA, normally within a period of one year, before admission to regular status in the program is conferred. In some cases, deficiencies can be made up at another academic institution. Conditional students cannot receive graduate teaching or research assistantships.
Prospective graduate students are strongly advised to contact all potential faculty for research/advisor arrangements at an early stage of their admission process.
ACADEMIC PROGRESS
To maintain continuous progress toward the degree, a student in the MA program is expected to complete each semester a minimum of 9 credits of coursework applicable to the program, with grades of "A" or "B," for full-time students, or 3 credits per semester for part-time students. Failure to comply may result in the student being removed from the program. In addition, students must advance to candidacy within 5 years, unless on an approved leave of absence.
CANDIDACY REQUIREMENTS
See page XX for Master's Level Candidacy Requirements.
A student may apply for advancement to candidacy by fulfilling the following criteria:
1. Submission of an Official Graduate Studies Plan, as described in the UAA catalog.
2. Selection of a Graduate Studies Committee by the end of the first semester of study.
3. Complete at least 24 semester credits of non-thesis coursework applicable to the MA program.
4. Take at least one course in statistics and one in computer-based analytical methods (may be taken as an undergraduate). In addition, a student may be required to demonstrate mastery of a foreign language, if deemed necessary by the graduate committee.
5. Pass a written comprehensive examination in anthropology. Normally, this exam is taken before the end of the second year of study, but in any case must be taken by the completion of 36 semester credits. This exam may be taken twice, but failure to pass the exam a second time will result in removal from the program.
6. Prepare a thesis prospectus for approval by the graduate committee.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
See page XX for Graduate General University Requirements and University Requirements for Graduate Degrees Policies.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Students must complete the following requirements within seven years of the date of formal acceptance to the program.
1. A minimum of 30 semester credits must be taken with a grade of "A" or "B."
2. At least 21 credits must be taken at the graduate (600) level.
3. No more than 6 credits of internship and/or independent study may be applied to the degree.
4. Courses outside the field of anthropology may be taken as electives if approved by the student's advisor.
5. One of the following emphases must be chosen:
General Anthropology
1. Complete the following:
ANTH 602 Proseminar in Cultural Anthropology 3
ANTH 605 Proseminar in Biological Anthropology 3
ANTH 611 Proseminar in Archaeology 3
ANTH 699 Thesis Research 1-6
600 Level Electives by Advisement 6
400 or 600 Level Electives by Advisement 9-14
2. A total of 30 credits is required for the degree.
Applied Anthropology
1. Complete the following:
ANTH 602 Proseminar in Cultural Anthropology 3
ANTH 605 Proseminar in Biological Anthropology 3
ANTH 611 Proseminar in Archaeology 3
ANTH 699 Thesis Research 1-6
2. Complete one of the following tracks:
Applied Cultural Anthropology
a. Complete the following:
ANTH 615 Advanced Applied Anthropology 3
ANTH 630 Advanced Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology 3
ANTH 695 Anthropology Practicum 3
Applied Biological Anthropology
a. Complete 9 credits from the following: 9
ANTH 645 Advanced Evolution of Humans and Disease (3)
ANTH 655 Advanced Medical Anthropology (3)
ANTH 656 Nutritional Anthropology (3)
ANTH 665 Advanced Analytical Techniques in Biological Anthropology (3)
ANTH 685 Advanced Human Osteology (3)
ANTH 695 Anthropology Practicum (3)
Cultural Resource Management
1. Complete the following:
ANTH 675 Cultural Resource Management 3
2. Complete 6 credits from the following: 6
ANTH 631 (1-6) Advanced Field Methods in Archaeology (no more than 3 credits)
ANTH 670 Archaeological Theory (3)
ANTH 680 Advanced Analytical Techniques in Archaeology (3)
ANTH 681 Advanced Museum Studies in Anthropology (3)
ANTH 695 Anthropology Practicum (3)
3. Complete the following:
400 or 600 Level Electives by Advisement 6-11
4. A total of 30 credits is required for the degree.
In addition to the above, all students must:
1. Submit a written MA Thesis in to the graduate committee, conforming to specifications of the UAA Consortium Library
2. Pass an oral defense of the thesis, open to the university community.
3. Submit an Application for Graduation.
