The Master of Arts in Anthropology

Course Requirements for the Master's Degree: 30 units

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 the Center for Regional and 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 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 Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Admission Requirements in the University Catalog.

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

3. An acceptable baccalaureate from an accredited institution, or an equivalent approved by the Office of 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.

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 score of at least 150 on the verbal and 150 on 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 301, ANTH 302, ANTH 303, ANTH 304, ANTH 485, and ANTH 496 (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 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.

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 Studies, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 400/500/600-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 600-level courses.

(c) At least 18 units in graduate courses, to include ANTH 600; 9 units from ANTH 601, ANTH 602, and ANTH 603; an additional 3 units from any of the above graduate seminars except ANTH 600; ANTH 697, ANTH 699P, ANTH 699T.

(d) 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 the Center for Regional and Continuing Education.  (Correspondence courses and UC Extension coursework are not acceptable for transfer).

(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 (697); 1 to 3 units of Project (699P) or Thesis (699T).

2. 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.

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 project or 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

18 units required:

Students may use any course from the ANTH 689A - ANTH 689E series to fulfill this requirement.

3 units selected from:

Note: A minimum of 1 unit of ANTH 699P or 699T is required.

6 units selected from:

Note: 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.

Additional Elective Requirement: 3 units

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

Graduate Requirement in Writing Proficiency:

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 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 Probation, receiving official notification from the Office of Graduate Studies, according to University Policy, as stated in the University Catalog, under Administrative Academic Probation.

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 course work taken at any accredited institution subsequent to admission to the master's program; all course work taken at CSU, Chico subsequent to admission to the program; and all courses on the approved master's degree program.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

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