Anthropology MA
Total Units Required: 33-35
The Master of Arts in Anthropology provides students with a broad perspective on human biological and cultural development. This is achieved through coursework in human biology and evolution, archaeology and prehistory, linguistics, folklore, and contemporary peoples in Western and non-Western cultures. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of practical methodologies and analytical skills unique to the discipline.
Requirements for the MA in Anthropology
Completion of all requirements as established by the department graduate committee, the graduate advisory committee, and Graduate Studies, to include:
- Completion of an approved program consisting of 33-35 units of 400/500/600-level courses as follows. (Note: Museum Studies option candidates will complete the prescribed coursework listed below.)
- At least 24 units in the discipline of Anthropology.
- At least 21 of the units required for the degree in 600-level courses.
- At least 21 units in graduate courses.
- At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Professional & Continuing Education. Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer.
- At least nine units completed after advancement to candidacy.
- Not more than 15 units taken before admission to classified status.
- Not more than four units of Independent Study (697); three to three units of Project (699P) or Thesis (699T).
- Completion and final approval of a research project or thesis of adequate scope and depth, which must be approved by the graduate advisory committee. Graduate students must submit the final version of the project or thesis to the Graduate Coordinator no later than the end of the eighth week of the semester in which they intend to graduate.
- 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 coursework and area of specialization. In addition, the candidate is expected to be prepared to defend the project or thesis.
- Approval by the department graduate committee and the Graduate Council on behalf of the faculty of the University.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 600 | Core Seminar in Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 601 | Seminar in Biological Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 602 | Seminar in Archaeology | 3 |
| ANTH 603 | Seminar in Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 696 | Candidacy Exam | 1 |
| Select three units from the following: | 3 | |
| Professionalism in Biological Anthropology | ||
| Professionalism in Archaeology | ||
| Professionalism in Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Professionalism in Museum Studies | ||
| Select three units from the following: | 3 | |
| Seminar in Biological Anthropology | ||
| Seminar in Archaeology | ||
| Seminar in Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Select two to four units from the following: | 2-4 | |
| Independent Study | ||
| Master's Project 1 | ||
| Master's Thesis 1 | ||
| Select 12 units from the following: | 12 | |
Any 400/500/600 course in anthropology or another discipline in consultation with the graduate coordinator. Depending on the number of units of 697, 699P, or 699T units taken, at least 2-3 of the 12 units must be in Anthropology (e.g., ANTH 605, ANTH 689, ANTH 697) to ensure 24 units in Anthropology. | ||
| Total Units | 33-35 | |
The Option in Museum Studies
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 610D | Professionalism in Museum Studies | 3 |
| ANTH 696 | Candidacy Exam | 1 |
| Select 18 units from the following: | 18 | |
| Making the Museum | ||
| People, Objects and Collections | ||
| Learning and Engagement in Museums | ||
| Exhibit Research, Design, and Installation | ||
| Current Topics in Museum Studies | ||
| Seminar in Museum Studies | ||
| Internship in Anthropology 1 | ||
| Select three units from the following: | 3 | |
| Independent Study | ||
| Master's Project 2 | ||
| Master's Thesis 2 | ||
| Select six units from the following: | 6 | |
| Core Seminar in Anthropology | ||
| Seminar in Biological Anthropology 3 | ||
| Seminar in Archaeology 3 | ||
| Seminar in Cultural Anthropology 3 | ||
| Select three units from the following: | 3 | |
Graduate seminar in Anthropology or other appropriate discipline in consultation with the Museum Studies Coordinator. | ||
| Total Units | 34 | |
- 1
Students may use any course from the ANTH 689A - ANTH 689E series to fulfill this requirement.
- 2
A minimum of one unit of ANTH 699P or ANTH 699T is required.
- 3
ANTH 601, ANTH 602, or ANTH 603 may be replaced by an equivalent graduate seminar from another discipline in consultation with the Museum Studies Coordinator.
Graduate Grading Requirements
All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study - 697, Comprehensive Examination - 696, Master's Project - 699P, and Master's Thesis - 699T) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (400/500-level courses), AB/No Credit (600-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 697, 696, 699P, 699T 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 minimum 3.0 grade point average in each of the following three categories: all coursework taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all coursework taken at California State University, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.
Continuous enrollment is required. At the discretion of the academic program, a maximum of 30 percent of the units counted toward the degree requirements may be special session credit earned in non-matriculated status combined with all transfer coursework. This applies to special session credit earned through Open University, or in courses offered for academic credit through Professional & Continuing Education.
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 Master's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements.
Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency
All students must demonstrate competency in writing skills as a requirement for graduation. Anthropology Master's degree students will demonstrate their writing competence on the Candidacy Examination (see "Advancement to Candidacy"). 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 Candidacy Examination. Students who fail one or more of the Candidacy Exams the first time they take the exams will be placed on administrative-academic notice, receiving official notification from Graduate Studies, according to University Policy, as stated in Academic Notice.
Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:
- Satisfactory grade point average as specified in Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission Requirements.
- Approval by the department and Graduate Studies.
- An acceptable baccalaureate from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by Graduate Studies. If the applicant's previous work is deficient in Anthropology, the applicant will be required to take courses prescribed by the graduate committee.
- Letters of recommendation from at least two faculty members familiar with the applicant's studies or professional persons with whom the applicant has worked.
- Brief autobiographical sketch and statement of your goals in Anthropology.
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 the following courses (or their equivalents) with a grade of B or higher or by passing the challenge examinations for these courses at an acceptable level.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 301 | Biological Anthropology | 4 |
| ANTH 302 | Archaeology | 3 |
| ANTH 303 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 304 | Language and Culture | 3 |
| ANTH 485 | Formal Methods for Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTH 496W | Proseminar in the History of Theory and Method in Anthropology (W) | 3 |
Advancement to Candidacy
In addition to any requirements listed above:
- Classified graduate standing and completion at the University of at least nine units of the proposed program.
- Removal of all unit and course deficiencies.
- 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 California State University, Chico Department of Anthropology.
- Development of an approved program in consultation with the graduate advisory committee.
- Successful completion of the Candidacy Examination by enrolling in ANTH 696 and writing three papers selected by the student from the following areas of cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, archaeology, and museology. This examination will be used to fulfill the literacy requirement.