The Master of Arts in Anthropology

Course Requirements for the Master’s Degree: 30 units

Continuous enrollment is required. A maximum of 9 semester units of transfer credit may be applied toward the degree. Graduate Time Limit: All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See “Graduate Education” in The University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

A Museum Studies option is available under the MA in Anthropology. See “Requirements for the MA Degree in Anthropology” for specific information.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:

1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in “Admission to Master’s Degree Programs” in The University Catalog.

2. Approval by the department and the Office of Graduate Programs.

3. An acceptable baccalaureate from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by the Office of Graduate Programs. If the applicant’s previous work is deficient in Anthropology, the applicant will be required to take courses prescribed by the graduate committee.

4. Letters of recommendation from at least two faculty members familiar with the applicant’s studies or professional persons with whom the applicant has worked.

5. Brief autobiographical sketch and statement of your goals in Anthropology.

6. A combined score of at least 1000 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

Demonstration of strength in the broad range of modern Anthropology in all of its subfields. This will normally be accomplished by successfully completing ANTH 101, ANTH 102, ANTH 103, ANTH 104, ANTH 285, and ANTH 296 (or their equivalents) with a grade of B or better or by passing the challenge examinations for these courses at an acceptable level.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Classified graduate standing and completion at the university of at least 9 units of the proposed program.

2. Removal of all unit and course deficiencies.

3. Formation of the graduate advisory committee by the end of the semester in which classified status is granted. The committee shall consist of two voting members who are tenured or tenure-track faculty in the CSU, Chico Department of Anthropology.

4. Development of an approved program in consultation with the graduate advisory committee.

5. Successful completion of the Candidacy Examination by enrolling in ANTH 398 and writing three assigned papers, including one on socio-cultural anthropology and two on two other areas selected by the student from physical anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, and museology. This examination will be used to fulfill the literacy requirement.

Requirements for the MA Degree in Anthropology:

Completion of all requirements as established by the department graduate committee, the graduate advisory committee, and the Office of Graduate Programs, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 200/300-level courses as follows. (NOTE: Museum Studies option candidates will complete the prescribed course work listed below.)
(a) At least 21 units in the discipline of Anthropology.
(b) At least 18 of the units required for the degree in 300-level courses.
(c) At least 18 units in graduate courses, to include ANTH 300; 9 units from ANTH 301, ANTH 302, and ANTH 303; an additional 3 units from any of the above graduate seminars except ANTH 300; ANTH 398, ANTH 399.
(d) Not more than 9 semester units of transfer and/or extension credit (correspondence courses and U.C. extension course work are not acceptable).
(e) At least 9 units completed after advancement to candidacy.
(f) Not more than 15 units taken before admission to classified status.
(g) Not more than 4 units of Independent Study (398); 1 to 3 units of Thesis (399).

2. Completion and final approval of a research thesis of adequate scope and depth, which must be approved by the graduate advisory committee. Graduate students must submit the final version of the thesis to the Graduate Coordinator no later than the end of the eighth week of the semester in which they intend to graduate.

3. Satisfactory completion of a comprehensive final oral examination in the field of study. All candidates are required to take an oral examination of two hours’ duration. The examination will cover the student’s course work and area of specialization. In addition, the candidate is expected to be prepared to defend the thesis.

4. Approval by the department graduate committee and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the university.

THE OPTION IN MUSEUM STUDIES

21 units required:

ANTH    205    Museum Administration    3.0    FA

ANTH    261    Museum Collections Management    3.0    FA

ANTH    288A    Exhibit Research and Design    3.0    SP

ANTH    288B    Exhibit Installation    3.0    FA

ANTH    305    Seminar in Museum Studies    3.0    Inq

ANTH    389A    Intern: Exhibit Research/Design    3.0    FS

Prerequisites: ANTH 289B; consent of Museum Studies Coordinator.

Students may use any course from the ANTH 389A-ANTH 389E series to fulfill this requirement.

ANTH    398    Independent Study    1.0-3.0    FS

ANTH    399    Master’s Study    1.0-3.0    FS

6 units selected from:

ANTH    300    Core Seminar in Anthropology    3.0    FA

ANTH    301    Seminar in Physical Anthro    3.0    FA

ANTH    302    Seminar in Archaeology    3.0    SP

ANTH    303    Seminar in Cultural Anthro    3.0    SP

NOTE: ANTH 301, ANTH 302, or ANTH 303 may be replaced by an equivalent graduate seminar from another discipline in consultation with the Museum Studies Coordinator.

Students must select an additional 3 units of graduate seminar in Anthropology or other appropriate discipline in consultation with the Museum Studies Coordinator.

Graduate Literacy Requirement:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

Anthropology Master’s degree students will demonstrate their writing competence on the Candidacy Examination (see “Advancement to Candidacy” above). Students who do not meet departmental expectations will be required to seek help with their writing and demonstrate adequate improvement before they can proceed toward the degree.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study-398 and Master’s Study-399) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (200-level courses), AB/No Credit (300-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 398, 399, and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the university that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all course work on the approved master’s degree program as well as in all course work taken subsequent to admission to conditionally classified status.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory each semester for all Anthropology majors. Consult the Graduate Coordinator for specifics.