Anthropology Graduate Curriculum
M.A., M.A./Ph.D., Ph.D. programs
The Department of Anthropology offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Arts (Plan A and Plan B) and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The degree programs, which share a core curriculum, provide education leading to the general understanding of anthropological theory and knowledge, research methods, and a specialized area of concentration. Areas of potential specialization include archaeology, cultural (including but not limited to medical and development), and bio-cultural anthropology, across both basic and applied dimensions.
Students may be admitted into the M.A. or Ph.D. program; students seeking the combined M.A./Ph.D. program will be considered and approved during their first year in the M.A. prgram. Admission preference is given to students whose intention is to obtain the Ph.D. degree. Students must fulfill all requirements of the Graduate School (see Graduate School Bulletin). In addition to Graduate School requirements, candidates for graduate degrees in anthropology must fulfill the following requirements:
The M.A. Program:
In consultation with the student's advisor and committee, and the Director of Graduate Studies, candidates for the M.A. degree may select either Plan A or Plan B options. (Students specializing in archaeology may not select Plan B.) Plan A option includes a minimum of 27 hours of coursework, plus the completion of field research and a master's thesis. Plan B option includes a minimum of 33 hours of coursework and either (a) completion of a practicum under the direct supervision of a faculty member, with a resulting written report or publishable paper, or (b) a library-based research project. In most cases, an oral exam is required. The M.A. Program option is considered a terminal degree; however, upon completion, students may petition for entry into the Ph.D. program.
Departmental requirements for the M.A. degree under this option are:
Plan A:
- three core seminars in theory and methods: ANT 610, ANT 601, and ANT 660 or ANT 610, ANT 650, and ANT 651;
- a statistics course at the 500+ level;
- a minimum of 15 additional credit hours of coursework in anthropology or cognate disciplines as approved by the student's committee; and
- a minimum of 3 thesis hours (ANT 748), and a research or museum-based thesis.
Plan B:
- three core seminars in theory and methods: ANT 610, ANT 601, and ANT 660;
- a statistics course at the 500+ level;
- a minimum of 21 additional credit hours of coursework in anthropology or cognate disciplines as approved by the student's committee;
- a minimum of 3 practicum hours (ANT 760) for Plan B(a) option, with a written practicum report or publishable paper; OR a minimum of 3 research problem hours (ANT 790) for Plan B(b) option, with a library-based research project.
The M.A./Ph.D. Program
With the approval of the Graduate Committee and the Director of Graduate Studies, students without a Master's degree may be admitted directly into the Ph.D. program, and receive the M.A. following successful completion of the Ph.D. qualifying exams.
Students must take:
- ANT 610, ANT 601, and ANT 660 or ANT 610, ANT 650, and ANT 651;
- a statistics course at the 500+ level; and
- a minimum of 15 additional credit hours of coursework in anthropology or cognate disciplines as approved by the student's committee.
In addition, students must complete all requirements for the Ph.D. program as indicated below. Should students fail to pass the Ph.D. qualifying exam, they will be given the opportunity to receive the M.A. degree via the library-based research Plan B(b) option, and they will not continue toward the Ph.D. degree.
The Ph.D. Program
Students with a Master's degree in Anthropology (or related field) may be admitted directly into the Ph.D. program, but may be required to take the core courses designated under the M.A. program. Students may petition out of the core coursework by submitting evidence, to the appropriate course instructor and Director of Graduate Studies, of successful completion of graduate-level coursework with similar content in the program in which they received their M.A. degree. The Ph.D. program consists of a minimum of 30 hours of coursework beyond the Master's, plus residency credit hours as designated by the Graduate School.
Requirements for the Ph.D. are:
- coursework must be approved by the student's committee and consist of ANT 662, 6 credit hours of regional focus courses, 12 credit hours in anthropology or cognate disciplines within the student's area of concentration, and 9 credit hours in anthropology or cognate disciplines, but outside the student's area of concentration (Coursework must include at least three 700-level seminars. For students entering with an M.A. from another institution, ANT 610 and either ANT 601 or ANT 650 are likely to be required.);
- residency credit as designated by the Graduate School;
- successful examination in one foreign language as designated and approved by the student's committee;
- written and oral qualifying examination in theory, methodology, and the student's selected topical foci; and
- a dissertation based on original research, plus oral defense.
The Graduate School website contains information on most everything to do with graduate school studies. Please consult the Graduate School Bulletin for official procedures and graduate school requirements.
Summary check list of degree requirements (in Adobe® PDF format):
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